Lakehurst pulled Mr. Carlyle’s shirt at his neck aside. “See the bruise pattern on his neck? It matches in pattern to the shape of a man’s hands. They must have grabbed him from behind. Carlyle would not have heard them approach. Someone strangled him, then pushed him off the cliff. He fell thirty feet to a narrow ledge. The fall broke his neck. If strangling him hadn’t killed him, the fall would have finished the job.”
“I see. How did you deduce all of this?” he asked.
“I’m a writer. We notice details as they might be useful in a book at sometime,” he answered with a wry smile.
Mr. Fortesque frowned. “Of course.”
“The coroner will be here tomorrow to confirm his manner of death,” Ellinbourne said.
Mr. Fortesque nodded as he pulled a book of prayer from his pocket and began to read. “O God, who…”
Ellinbourne frowned. He tapped Lakehurst on the arm to show his wish to speak away from Carlyle’s body and Mr. Fortesque.
“My father never had to read those words. Everything in that prayer book was also in his mind for recitation,” he whispered.
Lakehurst nodded.
When Mr. Fortesque finished his prayers and lightly touched Carlyle’s brow, he joined Ellinbourne and Lakehurst.
“Carlyle was a good man. Do you know if Carlyle was his given name or surname?” he asked.
Lakehurst and Ellinbourne admitted they did not know as they walked back toward the castle entrance.
“I’ll check the church records. He may be listed there. He’d served the Tidemark family for many years.”
“Lady Darkford mentioned in conversation that Carlyle taught the Marquess how to ride a horse.”
Mr. Fortesque nodded. “He certainly did care for the man. I understand he was the only member of his staff allowed to stay on the property when he threw his parties, and the only reason he could stay was because he was deaf. I’ve known the man since I came to the village of Baydonton two years ago, and knew he was deaf, but only learned recently he could read lips.”
“Yes, he could, however, only if you talked directly at him. I have the unfortunate habit of looking around while I’m talking to people. Sometimes, Carlyle would tap my arm to get me to look at him while I was speaking. I could tell I frustrated him; however, he always remained respectful,” Lakehurst said.
“Fascinating,” Mr. Fortesque said in the same manner he’d had earlier.
Lakehurst looked at him.
* * *
Cassie and Gwinniewere in the parlor when they returned.
“Lady Darkford,” Mr. Fortesque said, quickly crossing the room to take her hand between his. “I am so sorry for your loss of a loyal retainer,” he said, squeezing her hand between his.
“Thank you,” Cassie said as she tried to pull her hand free.
He released her hand, then sat down in an armchair angle to the sofa she sat on. Soon, Mr. Stillworth entered the room. Mr. Stillworth visibly stiffened when he saw Mr. Fortesque, however he nodded his head in recognition and took a seat across the room, as far from Mr. Fortesque as there was a chair available. Lakehurst pursed his lips on seeing Mr. Stillworth’s manner; however, he didn’t comment.
“Pardon, my lady,” Mr. Harold said from the doorway. “Cook advises dinner will be ready in forty-five minutes.”
“Excellent, then we have time for a preprandial,” Lakehurst said.
“Mr. Harold, please let Mr. Liddle and Mrs. Hallowell know. I believe they are in the library.”
“Immediately,” he said. “Lord Lakehurst, you will require more glasses for your drinks. I shall bring them around, directly.”
“Thank you.”
Fifteen minutes later, Mr. Harold returned with a tray of cut-glass crystal glasses. Ursula Hallowell, Ann Hallowell, and Mr. Liddle followed behind him into the room.
“Just in time for a before dinner drink,” Lakehurst said as he walked to the sideboard cabinet where the alcohol was kept and Mr. Harold placed the glasses.
