They stepped back into the pathway and exited the garden. Calliope breathed a sigh of relief when they stepped onto the terrace. They started for the ballroom doors. The festivities were still in high swing.

There was little doubt: The man and woman had been talking about her. Now they had three suspects to search for. Maybe she could convince James to let her search through Lady-

A female shriek broke through the merriment. "Oh, my God!"

The chirping of crickets and bullfrogs ceased. The ballroom stilled and then emptied as people crammed through the doors vying to see who and what caused the commotion. James and Calliope were already running toward the sound.

"The lake."

James nodded and kept running, dragging Calliope behind him. She stumbled and he slowed the pace. She could hear some of the other men catching up to them. They broke into the clearing around the lake.

James and Calliope were two of the first to arrive. Tanner, the groom, dashed in from one side of the clearing, lantern held high, and Pettigrew appeared from the other side. Neither had come from the direction of the house or stables.

Lady Willoughby was standing by the lake.

Roth was standing next to her. A body was floating face down in the water.

Pettigrew looked slightly flustered. "Tanner, wade in and retrieve the person."

Roth had made no move to retrieve the body. Calliope had thought him a fairly take-charge individual. Odd.

People started pushing against her back as they tried to move closer.

"A body!"

"Who is it?"

"Is the person alive?"

"What happened?"

"Who screamed?"

"Who did it?"

"Did what, what happened?"

Questions and comments darted around the group, which was getting larger by the second.

Tanner slipped into the water. She saw him try to hide a shudder at the temperature. He waded over to the body, fortunately close to shore, and tugged on the shirt until he was back at the water’s edge.

A stable boy assisted him in lifting the inert form and dragging it ashore. Tanner quickly exited the crowd. Probably to find a hot bath and some dry clothes.

Calliope spared the groom little thought as the moon glinted off the water and onto the body.

Dread and fear coiled in her.

The body was dressed in rich clothes. Blond hair was matted to the man’s skull.

She started praying.

Pettigrew reached down and turned the body over. A letter opener protruded from the chest. "It’s Ternberry."

"Ternberry!"

"Move, I can’t see."

"Ronald Ternberry! "

"I thought he left."

"Is he alive?"

"What’s going on?"

"Gentlemen, please escort the ladies indoors." Pettigrew’s voice was tight and agitated.

Guests in the rear were pushing forward, trying to peek through the spectators in front. A few of the men started herding the bewildered crowd toward the house. It took a few minutes of commotion before the crowd began to move.

James bent and whispered in Calliope’s ear. "Stay with Lady Willoughby. We will follow in a few minutes."

Calliope nodded. Lady Willoughby had turned and was walking toward the house, a straggler behind the swarm. Calliope kept a few paces behind.

Lady Willoughby’s stride was short, her shoulders hunched forward. She tripped twice. Calliope didn’t feel very relaxed either. Ternberry’s twisted features would star in her nightmares.

They reached the house and joined the other ladies and a number of the gentlemen in the salon. Lady Pettigrew was fluttering. The servants were dashing around serving brandy and tea. One gentleman started to light a cigar. He stopped en route and surprise lit his face. He hastily tucked the unlit cigar away, finally remembering where he was. The atmosphere was tense.

Calliope continued to follow Lady Willoughby until she stopped short of a group of women. She looked unsurprised to find Calliope on her heels. Penelope Flanders was regaling the group with details.

"Grotesque. I tell you, it was as if he were the devil laughing, his mouth stuck in a twisted line. His eyes bulging. I can’t believe my smelling salts are missing." Penelope fanned herself. "I don’t know what I shall do. The parties won’t be the same without dear Ternberry."

She wiped a nonexistent tear. "I do hope Flanders makes us leave tonight. Back to town, where it’s safe." Penelope’s eyes were lit with anticipation, even as she affected a shudder. Whoever made it back to London first would have the juiciest piece of gossip this season.

Lady Pettigrew fretted at the table, unsure whether to be pleased or nervous that her party would be on everyone’s tongues.

Lady Willoughby’s eyes narrowed, but she ignored Lady Flanders, who continued trying to fuel the hysteria in the room. "Esmerelda, do you know what the men are planning to do? I saw Lord Angelford speaking with you."

"Other than contacting the constable, I don’t know. I think it would be a mistake for the party to attempt the roads at this time of night. Too many opportunities for a broken wheel."

Penelope moaned. "Oh, no, we are trapped. Perhaps that is what the murderer is after. She will kill us all."

A couple of ladies gasped and one fainted on the blue velvet settee. Lady Pettigrew looked like she was choking.

"How do you know the murderer is a female?" Calliope asked.

Penelope raised a brow. "He was killed with a lady’s letter opener. "

How did she know? Calliope had been close to the body and it had been hard to see even from her vantage point. "A man could have stolen it."

The rest of the room had become silent and intent on their conversation. A couple of the men murmured their assent.

"Stolen? How?" Penelope postured for the audience.

"I suppose the way people normally steal. Pick it up and take it, " Calliope responded..

Penelope tapped her chin. "And maybe that person is trying to make it appear like a man took it in order to cover her tracks." She looked pointedly at Calliope. Calliope forced her mouth closed. It took effort.

Lady Willoughby shook her head in disgust.

Penelope turned on her. "Didn’t you find the body? What were you doing there? "

Roth walked into the room. "That’s enough." He looked at Penelope in displeasure.

"Now that you are here, of course it is." Penelope smiled but wisely took a step back into the crowd.

Lord Pettigrew huffed into the room, the rest of the men trailing at his heels. "The constable was summoned and is on his way. lf everyone could please go to his or her room I am sure this unfortunate incident will be resolved. The constable may need to talk to some of you."

A few of the guests hurried from the room, others reluctantly followed.

Pettigrew looked at Lady Flanders pointedly. "Your presence is unnecessary."

She smiled and dithered until Flanders walked into the room. "Good night, all. Do let me know if l can be of assistance."

Since her husband was present, Penelope no doubt figured she would get the details later.

Lady Willoughby started to follow her. Roth caught her and whispered something. A frightened look passed over her features, but she nodded. They walked to Pettigrew’s side to wait.

Calliope assumed she would be asked to remain, but James escorted her upstairs.

"This is not how I envisioned our evening to end." He tucked a loose tendril behind her ear. "Keep your door locked. I might be a while, there’s no telling how long the constable will remain."

He gave her a kiss on the forehead and was gone.

Calliope stood in the middle of the room. What to do? She pulled her knotted fingers from her dress. She wished she had a sketchpad to keep her fingers busy and her mind occupied.

The clock ticked.