“Could you tell me, in confidence?”
“I don’t like remembering it, let alone speaking of it. Nor do I see how it has any bearing on this matter. It is all a long time ago now.”
“How long?”
“Oh, about three years. I thought him charming for about two seconds. Soon I realized his true character, and we ... had a falling out.”
“And you have not seen him since?”
“No.”
“Until you came here.”
“Obviously.”
“Did you know he would be here?”
She huffed. “I would hardly have come had I known.”
“Not even to see Thomas?”
She shook her head. “I could have easily seen your brother at another time. There was no urgency to see him this particular week.”
“But you did not leave once you knew Oliver was here.”
“No.” Her fair eyes glinted. “I am not frightened off so easily. Nor am I the malleable fool I once was.” She lifted her chin. “I have done nothing to be ashamed of. If anyone should have left, it ought to have been him.”
“You got your wish. He did leave. Permanently.”
She frowned. “See here, if I killed every man who tried to take advantage of me, I would get little else done. I did not kill Ambrose Oliver.”
“But you are not sorry he’s dead?”
She looked down at her clasped hands, and then up again. “In a way, I am. Sorry for whoever that lecher wronged so badly that they were driven to such a desperate act—to risk his or her own life to take another’s.” A shudder passed over her frame.
Frederick studied her ashen countenance and realized he believed her, even as he doubted whether he should. She was, after all, an actress.
16
Stepping out of the library and writing room a short while later, Frederick saw Rebecca Lane coming through the garden door in cloak and bonnet, a book under her arm.
“Miss Lane, could you join me for a few minutes?”
Her gaze flew to his, showing alarm rather than pleasure. Even so, she entered without protest and sat in the chair he indicated.
Sliding the book onto her lap, she folded her hands, entwining gloved fingers tightly.
He resumed his seat. “How was everything at the lodge? Did you reassure Rose and your brother?”
“As ... best I could.”
He nodded. “I noticed you brought back some reading material.”
“Just ... one of my father’s books.”
“Well. I have undertaken to question all of the guests with the intention of notifying the coroner of anyone with information to share. Pray, do not be offended. I even interviewed my own brother.”
He gave a small smile at that, but she remained somber. “I understand.”
