“What time do you think this was?”
Bella laughed shortly. “I do not know. All I can say is what others have said, and only because I have heard them say it.”
“What did you do when you heard the gunshot?”
“I crouched down, and then ran as fast as I could in that position back to the terrace steps.”
“Why did you crouch down?” Aidan asked.
Bella shrugged with her hands as she smiled wryly. “That’s what Harry said to do when I hear gunfire.”
“That sounds like an appropriate action,” said Lady Malmsby. She clasped her hands in her lap.
“Then what?” Mr. Martin encouraged.
I ran up the terrace steps and looked all about. There were people leaning out the ballroom balcony windows.
I asked them if they could see anything. One woman pointed to an area in shadows at the other end of the terrace. I ran to that area and found Lord Candelstone. He was still a little conscious but couldn’t tell me anything. I pressed my hands tight against his chest to slow the loss of blood. I didn’t know if it would help or not, but it was the only thing I knew to do. He was bleeding heavily. At least it seemed so to me. The first person to come up to me was Reggie Stafford. He was useless. Mr. Nowlton pushed him aside and started ordering everyone about. Then Dr. Nowlton came up and told us what to do. Afterward, Mr. Nowlton escorted me to the bench. The blood had soaked my gloves, so I stripped them off and dropped them to the ground.” She picked up her teacup for another sip before continuing.
“Then Ellinbourne and Ann came up to see how I was. After talking to them, I decided to go to my room. I leaned down to pick up the gloves, and that is when I felt something lying next to the gloves. I pulled it out, and it was a muff pistol. I gave it to Ellinbourne, then I went upstairs by the servants’ stairway.”
“You didn’t see anyone else?”
“No, nothing.”
“This morning you pointed out dirt and broken leaves inside this room. How was it you came to see those?
“I was looking for her grace. I thought she might be here. She wasn’t, but I came in anyway. I looked out the windows and saw how clean the terrace looked. I walked closer, marveling at how tranquil it appeared outside. The servants had cleansed the terrace so no evidence of what occurred last night remained. I turned away and happened to glance down. That’s when I saw those bits of debris on the floor. At first, it amused me to see the servants had cleaned the outside but not the inside. Then I recalled no one was supposed to be in this room last night, so there was no reason for it to be cleaned this morning. I thought about what that might mean, so I showed it to you and Mr. Nowlton.”
“You didn’t open the door?”
“No. When Mr. Nowlton and I went out, we went out through the hall door. The door wasn’t opened until we saw you.”
“Thank you, Lady Blessingame.” Mr. Martin jotted some additional notes in his occurrence book. Afterward, he closed the book and stuck it into his waistcoat pocket. “I’m going to be going now. I want to interview guests and do an investigation on that gun—on the chance I can find the dealer in London familiar with the weapon and who might have purchased it.”
The door to the Lady Margaret Parlor opened and Gwinnie entered.
“All done with the practice for today?” Lady Malmsby asked Gwinnie.
“Yes, since we are playing at the Argyll Rooms this evening, we ended practice early. The others have left, except for Don Joaquín—he’s copying a piece of music I have. I’ve asked him to join us for dinner, then he and I can go on to the venue afterword.”
“I’ll be there tonight,” Lady Malmsby said. “I’m joining Lady Oakley and Mr. Rutherford.”
“Splendid!” Gwinnie said. “Will you come too, Bella?” Gwinnie asked.
“Not tonight. Mr. Nowlton invited Andrew for breakfast this morning, but my brother sent a note saying he wouldn’t be able to make it. He said he would come by to speak with me this evening. He is certain I am going to be arrested for shooting Lord Candelstone.”
Mr. Martin frowned. “Why would your brother assume you would be arrested?”
Bella sighed. “He heard some guests suggest I shot Lord Candelstone, as they saw me next to him. He assumed that was the truth.”
“Captain Melville is a gullible man—sparing Lady Blessingame’s familial feelings—that is the kindest way I have to describe Melville,” Nowlton explained dryly.
Mr. Martin suppressed a laugh.
Bella frowned at Mr. Nowlton, but she couldn’t naysay his words because they were true. Andrew was gullible.
Mr. Martin rose. “Do you have plans for tomorrow, in case I need to speak with you further?” he asked, looking about the room at the others.
