“You did have a motive, after all,” Thomas reminded him.
Frederick conceded the point. “Yes, I resented Ambrose Oliver because of his unflattering allusions to me and my wife in his previous novel. There were also rumors that Marina might have had an affair with the man, though I doubt it. Either way, I give you my word, as a gentleman, a Wilford, and a justice of the peace, that I had nothing to do with Mr. Oliver’s death. If that is not sufficient and either of you wish to question me further, now is your chance.”
“I believe you,” Miss Lane said softly.
“So do I.” Thomas winced and shifted in his chair. “While we are clearing the air, I want to make sure you don’t ... That is, I gather there was another rumor thatImight have been involved with Marina. She did, em, flirt with me, which is one of the reasons I began staying in London. But I give you my word, as a gentleman, a Wilford, and a white knight, that nothing happened. I hope you believe me.”
Frederick sighed. “I do, but thank you for saying so.”
He removed his and Thomas’s pieces. Left remaining on the chess board were the dark king, lying flat, one white knight, and both queens.
Frederick slid forward the remaining knight. “The brave knight, Mr. George. Sworn to protect a man he clearly did not like or respect. In the end, he failed to do so. Beyond that, I have no proof he was involved.” He looked to his companions. “Have you?”
Thomas shook his head. “I never met him either.”
Miss Lane said thoughtfully, “From my brief interactionswith him, I agree he did not esteem Mr. Oliver, but he seems honorable. Though, come to think of it, he is another man Mr. Oliver would probably have let into his room.”
“Good point. Had he a motive?”
“Not that I am aware of.” Rebecca considered, then added, “He did warn me to take care around Mr. Oliver. Implying he was something of a rake, as we have heard. Mr. George, however, was polite and respectful to me, and to Miss Newport, the one time I saw them together.”
Interest flared. “You saw them talking?”
“Only very briefly. He helped her unlock her door when it stuck.”
“Do they know one another?”
“I don’t think so. They seemed to me polite strangers.”
Frederick remembered seeing Miss Newport talking to someone in the cloisters. Might it have been Mr. George? He tucked that possibility away in his mind.
Frederick next moved forward the white queen. “Selina Newport. She came here, supposedly to see Thomas again. But we soon learned she had an unhappy past with Ambrose Oliver. I wrote to my solicitor and received his reply today. He asked around the theatre for me and found someone willing to talk for a few shillings.”
“You spied on her?” Thomas exclaimed. “Went behind my back to ferret out information against her?” Anger sparked in his usually mild eyes.
“Yes, I confess I did. The man my solicitor spoke to said he remembered Ambrose Oliver making unwelcome advances to Selina Newport, without success. So the author turned his attention to her younger sister, who was visiting.”
Rebecca said, “Selina mentioned she failed to protect her little sister somehow. Oh...” Her eyes grew round.
Frederick glanced at his brother. “If Oliver took advantage of the girl, that would give Miss Newport a motive.”
Thomas sullenly crossed his arms. “Even if true, it does not mean ... Not Miss Newport. It must not...” He nodded toward the chess pieces. “You have made her the white queen, after all.”
Frederick slid the dark queen beside it.
“Lady Fitzhoward?” Thomas blurted.
Both of them looked at him in surprise.
“Well,” he defended, “you said she seemed familiar and secretive.”
“True,” Frederick allowed. “And she says some rather strange things. She was also oddly interested in the inquest. Miss Lane, you know her best. Do you have any reason to suspect her? Had she any grudge against Mr. Oliver?”
Rebecca shook her head. “No. She has read his books but only came to Swanford now because I wanted to see John. We had no idea Mr. Oliver would be at the hotel. Lady Fitzhoward has said nothing against the man, except, perhaps, to criticize his self-importance.”
Frederick nodded. “There is something mysterious about the woman, to be sure, but I don’t see her striking anyone a fatal blow. She barely made it up the stairs unsupported.”
“If not her, then who is that?” Thomas gestured toward the dark queen.
