“There was a loose board under the rug she put down. She kept it in there. I do worry where it might be now, and if the magistrate has it.”
It was the same place. That appeased Cecilia’s mind, but to the young women, Cecilia merely shook her head. “I don’t guess he has it, nor even knows about a second diary. I believe hisactions, once he discovered it, would have given him away. He is a man who thinks he is inscrutable. He isn’t.”
“We thought she might have burned the diary,” Martha confessed.
“Or maybe Mrs. Jones had it,” suggested Augusta.
“Why might you consider Mrs. Jones would have had it?”
“She was angry that Georgia died. She asked us all a lot of questions, same as you.”
Cecilia blinked, her gaze sliding past her guests.Was Mrs. Jones investigating Georgia’s death? Could that be why she was killed?
Cecilia could not tell them she had Georgia’s diary, so she only nodded. A nod could mean so many different things. “You’ve given me a lot to think about,” Cecilia told the young women. “I’m glad you came to me. I hope I have given you some comfort in the knowledge you are not responsible for the death of Georgia Inglewood.”
“Yes, my lady,” Augusta said, rising to her feet. Martha hurried to follow her.
Cecilia saw the two women to the door, then turned to find James coming down the stairs.
“I believe you are right about the magistrate,” Cecilia said. “From what Miss Sandiford and Miss Broadbank told me, it appears Mrs. Jones was investigating Georgia Inglewood’s death. That could have been the reason for Inglewood’s rabid declaration that she killed Miss Inglewood.”
James nodded. “But did he kill or frighten Mrs. Jones to her death?” he pondered.
Cecilia sighed. “We still have more investigating to do.”
“But at the moment, it is time for Hugh,” her husband said, taking her arm to lead her back up the stairs.
Cecilia smiled happily. “Priorities. I do like the way you think, my dear.”
CHAPTER 12
A DINNER PARTY
Again, they had Romley drive them to the Mortlakes’ estate, and again requested he continue his questioning of the servants, as he might. Romley could be a personable and well-liked person when he chose to be. They felt certain he would be invited into the servants’ hall in the manor.
When they arrived at the Mortlakes’, they were surprised to find the invitation list small. Besides the Mortlakes, their son, and the twin girls, only the Aldriches, themselves, and the Vicar had been invited. When Cecilia looked questioningly at Lady Elinor Aldrich, already seated in the drawing room, her friend subtly raised her brows at their surprise at the invitation.
The Aldriches had previously been ostracized for Elinor’s trade origins. Cecilia wondered if this was a good outcome of gossip created from the story of her first marriage to a merchant. Had the gossip given cause for a widening of the acceptable members of society? Cecilia hoped so. Lord and Lady Aldrich were delightful assets to the community.
“Thank you all for coming,” the earl said when the guests had gathered in the drawing room at Mortlake House, a formal room gleaming with gold trim and filled with stiff, upright furniturepieces. It was a room to intimidate others. An interesting choice for this gathering.
Lady Mortlake wore was wearing a charcoal-gray gown, which served to highlight her fading golden hair. On either side of her sat two women who Cecilia surmised were Mrs. Jones’ daughters. One wore a fashionable black gown of black bombazine, the other a plain indigo-blue muslin gown with black trim. The women were identical in appearance if one discounted the expressions each wore and their attire.
“Thank you for coming, Lady Branstoke,” the countess said, rising to greet her. The women who sat on either side of her rose as well. “Allow me to make you known to Mrs. Jones’ daughters, Hope and Faith Jones,” she said, indicating the black-attired woman as Hope and the blue-attired woman as Faith. The young women curtsied.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Cecilia said. “I know your relationship with your mother was not the best, but allow me to tell you, I knew her as a good woman, an asset to our community.”
“We know,” said Hope stiffly. “Yes, I was disappointed in her; however, I loved her always.”
“As did I,” said Faith.
“I am gratified to hear that,” Cecilia said with a warm smile.
“Please sit here,” said Lady Mortlake. “I need to circulate more with my guests.”
Cecilia nodded and took her seat between the young women.
“My fiancé has spoken of you and your husband,” Hope said enthusiastically. “I am delighted to meet you.”
