“Right then.” She looked around. “I must say something first, to all of you. As regards our news about Trick and his situation, I came to a decision this afternoon, which I relayed to Giles.” She took a breath. “I am devoted to all of you, and this includes Trick. You have been the most wonderful companions I can imagine, and more than I ever thought or expected or deserve.”
She held up her hand to forestall any comments.
“But I take my position here seriously, and I am very aware that I am the Lady of Wolfbridge. My heart may say one thing, but my sense of duty to the Manor has to take precedence over everything.” She swallowed. “I have chosen to refuse Baxter Fairhurst’s offer. I will not part with an inch of Wolfbridge land. Ever.”
There was little obvious reaction, but she sensed a lessening of tension. A pair of shoulders eased, there was a sigh, a very slight nod…they knew.
Reassured, she continued. “I told Giles my decision. And upon hearing it, he told me it was time I found out more about Wolfbridge and the position I now hold. Thus I learned that, difficult though it was, my choice was the right one. Had it been otherwise, I would be packing to leave right now.”
She looked at her gentlemen. “I have to assume you knew, but that the decision was mine to make. Do I wish you had informed me of these conditions before I agonised over Trick? Yes, of course. But am I glad in some ways that you didn’t? Yes to that also.”
She took a brief sip of her brandy. “This situation with Trick is a crisis, beyond a doubt. But the need for the Lady of Wolfbridge to understand her responsibilities to the Manor—and to you all—is crucial. I discovered that today. And I intend to honour it with everything that I am.”
She watched as Jeremy, Daniel and Evan glanced at each other, and then Giles. Who raised his glass. “To Lady Adalyn, Lady of Wolfbridge Manor.”
“Lady Adalyn.”
Her eyes filled with tears as she heard her name echo powerfully around the room. All she could do was nod, and swallow down the emotions clogging her throat. It would not be in keeping with her previous statements if she burst into tears and sobbed like a little girl.
So she cleared her throat. “Thank you.” She smiled at them all. “Now, let’s turn our attention to Trick. I would prefer he not languish in some horrid jail for a year. And since we cannot deal with Fairhurst, we must explore other ways of procuring his release.”
“Storm the prison?” Daniel raised his eyebrows in amusement.
“A good notion, but impractical,” she chuckled. “I’m thinking more along the lines of unmasking the real killer.”
That casual comment was greeted with dead silence.
“Er…what?” Jeremy frowned.
“You heard,” she lifted her chin. “We are people of intelligence, education and some intuition. You, more than I, mingle with our local neighbours, many of whom work for Wolfbridge, Fivetrees and regularly interact with everyone who does business with us. If someone wanted Sir Amery dead, there has to be a rumour to that effect. Or a muttering of discontent. A question about his habits—his food. Most especially his food.”
“Does he have a new supplier?” Daniel added his mite.
“Have any servants left recently?” That was Jeremy.
Evan moved to a chair and sat, crossing his legs and rotating one foot in thought. “Where did he order the foodstuffs for that fateful dinner and who prepared it?”
“You have started an interesting investigation, Lady Adalyn,” mused Giles. “It might be worth looking into the Fairhurst financial affairs. Money does seem to encourage crime.”
“I’ve heard it said that greed and passion lie most often at the root of violence,” agreed Daniel.
“I am going to try again to reach Judith,” Adalyn commented. “She should be able to grant me a few minutes, or even come here for tea. I worry that she is alone in that house, and she doesn’t have the guidance I am blessed with.” Her eyes roamed over her gentlemen.
“She was as shocked as you were when Sir Amery fell, yes?” Giles posed the question.
“She was.” Adalyn nodded. “At least as far as I could tell. And I cannot suspect her of being that good an actress to be able to mimic such emotions.”
“How old is she?” Jeremy lifted his eyebrows.
“I believe she is not yet twenty,” said Adalyn. “Her parents must have died, because she was living with Sir Amery. I recall he mentioned she was recovering from a loss, and she said her uncle Amery had given her a place to live.”
“Hmm.” Evan narrowed his eyes. “That could cover a lot more than just losing parents. ’Tis a nebulous turn of phrase from both of them, I’m thinking.”
“You have a naturally suspicious mind, Evan.” Adalyn grinned. “Which is just what we need.”
“Thank you,” he inclined his head. “I rather like that.”
“So we are decided?” Giles surveyed the room. “We shall do our best to dig up any and all information we can find on Sir Amery, Miss Judith, the financial situation at Fivetrees and so on, with special attention to anyone involved in the fatal night?”
