“Have you any other suspects?”
“Not as yet. We cannot discount the possibility that she encountered a burglar who became violent.”
“Is any property missing from her house?”
“Yes, two items. A valuable porcelain vase in a blue floral pattern from the front sitting-room and the necklace Mrs. Cooper had worn that evening—a jade pendant in the shape of a rose on a gold chain.”
“I see.”
Mr. Notley gulped down the remainder of the brandy and set the glass upon the rosewood table. “Well, I appreciate your cooperation. Depending on what information comes to light between now and the inquest, I may wish to speak with you again.”
“I have no objection, but I shall be in Hertfordshire on the sixth and seventh of September, and afterwards, I shall be staying with a friend near Salisbury in Wiltshire.”
He scribbled in his notebook. “Very well. I shall bear that in mind.”
After Mr. Notley departed, I quit the study and followed the sounds of a sombre sonata to the music-room. Since our return from Ramsgate in mid-July, my sister, Georgiana, had suffered from depressed spirits. Despite my best efforts, I had been unable to coax her into a more positive outlook; rather, she tended to avoid me.
I stayed near the doorway and took in the scene before me: Mrs. Annesley, the companion I had hired two weeks before, stood to Georgiana’s right as my sister played. When the lady interrupted my sister to make a correction, I approached them. “Pardon me.”
Whereas Georgiana acknowledged my presence with a nod before lowering her head, Mrs. Annesley started and spun towards me with a smile. “Oh, good day, Mr. Darcy.”
“Good day, Mrs. Annesley. I should like to speak with my sister. Would you mind waiting for her in the library?”
“No, not at all.” The prim, middle-aged lady used a soft tone. She left the room, shutting the door behind her.
“Georgiana, let us sit together.” I gestured to the seating area behind us. Without a glance towards me, she rose and ambled to the sofa. I sat beside her.
How could I ease her pain? She had believed herself to be in love with Wickham. The wretched reprobate had been my childhood friend until his dishonest nature became clear to me, and after I had covered hundreds of pounds of his debts. My sister would have eloped with the rogue had I not made a surprise visit to our house in Ramsgate. Once his plan had been foiled, Wickham had admitted his ruse and spouted a deluge of vitriol, crushing Georgiana’s tender sensibilities and breaking her heart.
My sister had been further betrayed by Mrs. Younge, the conniving companion I had hired. The woman and Wickham had conspired in this scheme with the object of obtaining Georgiana’s fortune. Mrs. Younge had been dismissed without reference. I had threatened to have Wickham thrown in debtors’ prison if he ever crossed my or my sister’s path again. According to the servant I directed to follow Wickham’s activities, he had found employment assisting a surgeon at a seaside town in Wales.
I adjusted my seat towards her. “What do you think of Mrs. Annesley?”
Her sight remained upon her lap, where she brushed her skirt in a zig-zag motion. “She is kind. I like her.”
“That is good to hear.” I suppressed a sigh. My sister would not so much as look at me. “If you ever have a concern with regard to her, I want you to tell me at once.”
“Yes, I shall.”
“It pains me to see you so down, dearest. What may I do to help you?”
Her chin dipped lower. “There is nothing you could do or say to change what happened.”
“Nevertheless, I hope you will rally soon. You have not left the house since we arrived in town. Shall we take the horses to Hyde Park tomorrow morning?”
“No, I…I do not wish to go.”
“Why not?”
“I cannot help but feel that anyone who sees me will know my shame.”
A twinge pierced my chest. “What do you mean? You assured me that Wickham never harmed you.”
“He did nothing beyond kisses, yet I had become devoted to him. I should have agreed to anything he asked of me. Mrs. Younge left us alone for hours at a time. If he had wanted to take my virginity…if he had asked me to agree, I should have done so. He could have ruined me.” Sobs interrupted her speech. “I am tainted. I am no better than a harlot!”
“That is not true.” I gathered her in my arms. She stiffened at first, then melted against me.
“No honourable gentleman will ever want me now.”
