Julius nodded. “This is Mr. Havers of the magistrate’s office. He is leading the investigation and has some questions for you, that is…unless you are too tired to speak to him today.”
She waved them both forward. “Now is as good a time as any. Have you gotten any further leads? I feel so helpless lying here, unable to do anything.”
Havers took the chair beside the bed while Julius dismissed Mrs. Quinn and then moved to the other side of the room to peer out the window while Gory was interrogated.
He heard the frustration in Gory’s voice as Havers asked his questions and she could not provide answers. “I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice soft and gentle, “but I cannot remember anything that happened immediately before or after I was struck over the head. I cannot even remember changing out of the gown I wore to the musicale. But I must have, for I was wearing my wedding gown when I regained my wits. Why would I put it on? And who helped me lace it up?”
“We questioned your maid and she claims that she did not do it. In fact, she was already abed by the time you returned from the musicale.”
“The staff retires early,” Gory confirmed. “My aunt and uncle, as well as myself, have latchkeys to a side door that we use to allow ourselves in after hours.”
“We questioned your head butler, as well.”
“Was Jergins able to provide you with more information? Did my uncle have a late night visitor? Did he know who this visitor was?”
“No, he claimed also to be abed.”
“I’m sorry the staff could not be of more help, but their sleeping quarters are too far removed from our own living quarters to hear much of anything. My uncle keeps an appointments ledger. Were you able to find it?”
“Yes, Lady Gregoria. There was no entry listed for last night.”
“But there would be listings for earlier in the day and throughout the week.”
“We are going through each name written down. Was there anyone in particular you would suspect? A friend or business associate of your uncle’s?”
Gory sighed. “They were all vile. Not the slightest integrity among any of his business partners, or him, for that matter. His friends were little better. As you may have gathered, he did not always keep the best company. Do you think the killer was one of them?”
“I do not know,” Havers responded. “But my instincts tell me to dismiss them as likely suspects. His murder strikes me as too personal.”
“Because of my wedding gown?”
He nodded. “It simply does not fit into this crime. Can you recall anything at all about how you came to be wearing it?”
Gory emitted a ragged sigh. “I’m sorry, but I cannot. It is so frustrating for me. I want to help, but I seem to be offering up nothing.”
“Never say so, Lady Gregoria. You can only do your best,” Havers replied, sounding surprisingly understanding. Julius wondered whether he had a soft heart, after all.
“I am trying so hard,” Gory admitted.
Havers asked her a few more questions, but then stopped the interview when Gory seemed to be hit by a sudden wave of fatigue and began struggling to remain alert. “I have exhausted you. I will stop by again tomorrow,” he said, rising from his chair. “Lord Thorne knows how to get a hold of me if you recall anything important in the meanwhile.”
Julius remained in the background while Gory thanked him and cast him a warm smile.
Havers, this humorless investigator, actually smiled back at her.
Julius walked him out because he wanted to assess the man’s impression of Gory. “Do you see now that she could not possibly have committed this heinous crime?”
Havers merely arched an eyebrow. “Let me know if you learn anything new, my lord. I understand you have made arrangements for Mr. Barrow to escort the aunt, Lady Easton, to the Wallingford Arms upon her return to London.”
“Yes, if she has no place else to stay. I cannot imagine her willing to remain in their residence, especially this first night. But I intend to escort her to the hotel myself unless I am delayed elsewhere. It is only proper that I attend to the matter and not leave it to my Bow Street man.”
Havers continued to regard him skeptically. “I should think Lord Allendale is the proper party to attend to the matter since he is betrothed to Lady Gregoria.”
“As you know, Allendale seems to be otherwise occupied and has not given Lady Gregoria or her aunt much consideration. I find it quite odd and disturbing, which is why he must be closely watched. Where was he last night? In truth, where has he been for much of this past week?”
“Oh, I agree,” Havers said. “Many unanswered questions still remain. As for questioning Lady Easton, perhaps you ought to leave the matter of escorting her to the hotel to Mr. Barrow. He knows how to engage a suspect and draw out the necessary answers.”
“I would leave it to him were it not for Lady Easton’s difficult temperament. She is arrogant, intolerant, condescending, and always one to put on airs.”
