“I can understand that conundrum,” Julia said.
“I convinced my husband if I were to check into Camden House, I could get the rest I require and at the same time, learn more about Mr. Montgomery. I suggested that asking gentle questions should not be too tasking. He didn’t like the idea, but after talking to your son about Camden House, we felt it worth it to try this investigative route while my husband investigates all leads outside of Camden House.”
“You referred to this as the investigation into the death of a dead man.”
Cecilia nodded. “Most everyone in his family, and those within his circle of friends, already thought him a dead man. Dead more than these two years. Grief had been packaged up and set aside, life had moved on. His family were starting to find happiness—and his wife wished to marry again.”
“And not having any idea he was alive, she didn’t know of any impediment.”
“Correct.”
“And the man she would marry?” she asked,
“The Earl of Soothcoor.”
Julia’s eyes widened and her mouth opened into a silent ‘O’.
“Please, please, keep this to yourself. That fact alone would make others certain he’d murdered Mr. Montgomery. I assure you, he did not. That is not the kind of man he is. I know people say any man or woman can commit murder if the circumstances are right. Not Soothcoor. He is the kindest man, always helping those less fortunate—though he tries not to let that be widely known.”
She coughed again then cocked her head to the side as she considered Soothcoor. She looked directly at Lady Stackpoole to try to explain the man to her. “He’s humble about what he does. He is invited everywhere—and not just when a hostess needs to even her numbers. He’ll stand up at balls with the wallflowers. He is not in the least bit handsome. His is a long face with dark eyes that droop down in the corners. His hair is black, streaked with gray and always looks like it needs a comb,” she said with a laugh.
“His lips are well defined,” she continued seriously, “though the bottom lip is thin. He does not smile much, which is how he acquired the ‘Dour Earl’moniker,” she said with a faint laugh. “But I have witnessed a rare moment of joy for him. It lit his face and, as I watched him, I couldn’t help but smile as well,” Cecilia said.
“What gave him that joy?” Julia asked.
“When he realized his nephew was safe—that Sir James and I had rescued little Christopher.” Cecilia laughed suddenly. “Oh, look at me. Just remembering has my eyes tearing,” she said, swiping at her cheeks with her gloved hands.
“Rescued! That sounds like a story I should like to hear!” Julia said.
Cecilia laughed again. “Another day. Right now, I do need to lie down.”
“And while you rest, I will try to find out about the guest register the day Mr. Montgomery died. I’m curious to know if Jacob came to Camden House and when.”
“You don’t think the magistrate would have looked at it or taken it?”
“I don’t know. I’ll see what I can find out about that as well.”
Cecila stood up and, with Julia, walked back to Camden House.
“Excuse me,Lady Branstoke, Sir James Branstoke is downstairs in the great hall. Do you feel well enough to see him?” asked Matron Mildred from the doorway of Cecilia’s room.
Cecilia had been dozing again, husbanding her strength for when James came—as she knew he would—and for the meal hours where she might have more conversation with the others.
“Yes, yes, I am,” Cecilia assured her as she rolled over to swing her feet to the floor. “I’ve been expecting him,” she said.
“Very good, then I won’t send him away,” the matron said.
“Send him away?” Cecilia parroted. “Do you do that often?”
The matron chuckled. “More than one would think. Some are always looking to see the worst in our patients. We try to protect them. We allow them to turn down visitors and sometimes we turn down visitors if we believe it is not one of our patients’ better days. We don’t want their visitors to see them in anything less than perfect condition.”
“Hmm, I suppose that makes sense. Lady Stackpoole and I were just having a discussion on visitations here. When we checked into The New Bell Inn, we saw Baron Stackpoole’s name in the guest register from the time when Mr. Montgomery died yet, Lady Stackpoole said she never had a visit from him. Wethought he must have changed his mind about visiting here. Did he come and you turn him way?” she asked as she picked up her cape from where she’d laid it earlier on a chair by the window.
“I didn’t, though I might have been so inclined if I saw him. That man belittles her so when he visits—it takes two days for her to be herself again,” the matron said, her arms akimbo.
Cecilia shook her head. “She seems like such a strong woman, that’s hard to believe,” she said as she walked out of the room. “By the way, young Miss Liddy sneaked into my room when I was sleeping yesterday. I caught her looking through my portmanteau.”
The matron’s expression fell. “I’m right sorry about that, milady. Poor child has been ever so mischievous since Mr. Montgomery died. We need to find her a new mentor.”
