The Debutante (The Sinclair Society Series, Book Two) Rough Draft

Chapter Seven

When I asked Bunker why he had allowed Mr. Harper entrance into the servants area, I was met with a blank stare. "Was someone here, Nelson?" he asked, a frown beginning to form on his forehead.

"Well, yes. He came to Mrs. Dobbs' sitting room while I was playing the pianoforte. I assumed you had directed him there since Miss Dunbar was not at home, though I could not think of why you would have done so. He didn't indicate otherwise when I questioned him."

Bunker's puzzlement shifted to outright anger. "This is outrageous! To think young men believe they can walk into this house without a by-your-leave! If you ever come across a young man where he should not be, call out for help immediately, Miss Nelson. It will be better for us to be embarrassed than to have something worse occur."

"Yes, sir." I ought to have called for help when I first realized Mr. Harper was once again in an area he had no business to be in. Deep down, though, I knew why I hadn't done so. I was glad he had sought me out.

Even if it was only to warn me out of Bath.

Resisting the urge to shake my head, I sternly admonished myself not to encourage an attachment. After all, I wasn't done with my subterfuge just yet and I would have to be completely honest with him. And I couldn't even be sure if he would be honest with me.

"I cannot recall a Mr. Harper ever visiting Miss Dunbar before," Bunker said, getting my attention.

A strange, unfamiliar feeling wormed its way into my mind at the idea of Mr. Harper being part of Miss Dunbar's beaus. It took a second for me to realize what it was: jealousy. No. It mattered not who the man chose to inflict his presence on. Certainly, I had more important matters to concern myself with.

"Miss Nelson?"

With a start, I realized that Bunker was staring at me. Had he asked me a question? "I beg your pardon, sir," I said quickly, trying to cover my inattentiveness. "I was trying to think if whether I had seen the man speak to Miss Dunbar on her walks and I do not believe he has. What was it you said?"

"Miss Dunbar's suitors come and go," Bunker said dismissively. "I asked if you had any other complaints?"

I gave a negative response to that. I'd been treated better than I'd expected, but those who worked in the Dunbar house had no reason to dislike me from the start as had been the case in London. Satisfied, the butler went on his way, shaking his head. No doubt he was frustrated with me.

Mr. Harper would discover his access to me was not easy if he should attempt to see me again. Not that I expected him to or even wanted him to come again.

It was only when I prepared for bed that night that I was able to consider what I had learned since coming to Bath. Miss Anderson had only remembered two names when asked about Jonathan's companions: Mr. Ingram and Mr. Harper. Either of them had to at least know something about how my brother had died.

On the surface, Mr. Harper innocence may have been proven by his warning to me. Or perhaps it was a front to conceal the fact that he was the man who had killed Jonathan.

Or maybe I was overthinking the whole thing.

Mr. Ingram, on the other hand, I could well believe to have been involved in something nefarious. He had already shown a tendency towards slyness with his method of passing notes to Miss Dunbar through me.

Not that such an act in and of itself was wrong. Many young men chose to bribe a maid to make sure their sweetheart recieved letters. Henry Bladen had done the same as well. Mr. Ingram had not demonstrated the slightest bit of romantic interest in Rose Dunbar, though, and that is why he was suspect in my eyes.