"I don't know about pleasant," I had to acquiesce. "But I am grateful you didn't keep driving."
Back in the main parlor, I summoned our head butler, Oscar. While we waited, I touched up the room, adding an extra log to the fireplace, and drawing the curtains. When Oscar arrived, the poor man’s face showed signs of exhaustion. “Oscar, you haven’t had a break, have you?”
“All in due time, miss.” He offered a waning smile, and his usually flawless coiffure stuck up in odd places. “How can I help you?”
“Henry and I are hoping to meet separately with each of our visitors. Do you know whether they’ve settled into their rooms?”
“Yes, miss. We’ve made sure they know how to use the phone system if they have any needs. I’ve given them all maps of the estate and a schedule for meals. Anything else?" he asked.
I fluffed a few sofa pillows, wanting our guests to be as comfortable as possible. “Yes, two things. If you have a list of the rooms they’re staying in, I’ll interview them.Additionally, I’d like you to please take a break. There’s nothing too urgent at the moment.”
Oscar smiled, brushing the sweat from his forehead. “Very good. I’ve documented everything on the day’s spreadsheet already, so you’ll find any necessary information there.” Then he bowed out of the room.
Henry glanced at me with a raised brow, and we both settled near each other on the loveseat, close enough that I could lean my head on his shoulder, should I try to—which was not what I was supposed to be thinking about. But he did smell nice. “You have a daily spreadsheet?”
“Oh, yes. It’s the only way we can keep track of what's going on around here from day to day.” I nodded, lifting the receiver from the landline phone on a side table. “I can use one of these phones to call other lines in the house. This place has as many rooms as a hotel.”
“I’d say. Do you think you should invite Dan back since you’re interviewing guests?”
“I suppose.” I didn’t roll my eyes because he was just being cautious, and it would ease Darcy’s nerves. Though I was a bit annoyed, I lifted the receiver anddialed security. “Can you please send Dan down to the east parlor? Thank you.”
Dan must've been close by because he arrived in the room an instant later.
"Been busy?" I asked him, certain he'd been following Henry and me for the last hour.
"A bit." He shrugged and then sat unobtrusively in a corner. I knew he'd take notes, but he was courteous enough to pretend to be playing on his phone. So at least the interaction with our guests wouldn't be too awkward.
Looking over this list, I started with the easier interviews first. I summoned my second cousin, Bradford Phillips, to the parlor. He already knew about the murder since he had discovered the body with Henry and Oscar. And I had no suspicions of him, but questioning him would give us some practice.
My globe-trotting second cousin appeared in the doorway. Bradford was in his late thirties, single, with perfectly formed blond curls and features resembling something of a Greek god. He currently resided in Spain, had a decidedly European air to his mannerisms, and everything he wore was sleek or polished to perfection. He’d come to the States to work on his genealogy book, and to visit familyfor the holidays because ‘one gets lonesome this time of year without family nearby’.
“I don’t know how you do it, Bradford.” I kissed his cheek as he joined me and Henry in the sitting room. Two little pawed friends followed him in, and Marshmallow hopped onto my lap, while Waffles curled up by my feet as we took our seats. I stroked Marshmallow's fluffy white coat, releasing a touch of calming magic. “Just being at College de Synthese in Paris was such a challenge. I missed my brother terribly. Your parents and sisters must miss you as well. Do you plan to fly out to California soon?”
“Yes, within the next few days. Though it's good to see my cousins, and I’m never in a hurry to leave Pemberley.” Bradford flashed his bright smile at me. “You look like you’ve recovered well from your injuries. I see you've still got the young man from the road with you.”
"I've known Henry since we were kids. Annie is an incredible healer, though I am still sore," I answered.
“Naturally.” Bradford tipped his head, eyeing Henry. “I've so many delightful memories here at Pemberley.”
“Yes, many.” I thought about the times when he and his older sister visited years ago. “I remember when you used to visit with Carissa. She’d play tag withme out on the back lawn and pretend I’d caught her, even though I was seven and she was twenty-something.”
“You were a very endearing little girl. Reminded us all of a pretty woodland sprite.” Bradford smiled at me, then glanced at Henry once more, probably wondering if the young man I was spending time with had any fae blood. “Oh, you know Carissa has three children now. Three. Her husband is full-blooded fae as well, so her children are highborn. You’ll have to meet them sometime.”
“I bet she’s a lovely mother.” I never understood the importance society placed on being highborn. We certainly had a lot of undue privilege because of it, but it didn't make us better than anyone. Really. I took a steady breath, and hoped Henry didn't realize the scrutiny he was under. “Unfortunately, I need to talk to you about the tragedy that occurred today.”
The corners of his mouth turned down. “Oh, dear. Yes, I’d almost put it out of my mind.”
Henry raised his chin and folded his arms. "I wish it were that easy."
Bradford’s eyes widened. “Sorry, I don’t mean to make light of the tragic matter. Are you sure it wasn’t self-inflicted?”
I shrugged. “We can’t be sure of anything, which is why I wanted to ask you if you noticed anything else strange happening this afternoon."
“Well, other than you coming home injured and discovering a dying man in the stables… now let me think. What an afternoon it's been.” Bradford leaned back in the leather armchair. “I had lunch, of course. Oscar was kind enough to bring me up a baked potato with chili and steamed vegetables. I’ve been working on the book about our ancestors. Our fae heritage is something you should be very proud of."
“Oh, yes. I’m eager to read it.” I sighed. Bradford had always been so scholarly and was among our relations who focused a disproportionate amount of time glorifying our ancestors. While there was a lot of recorded history about them, I supposed many other families had a history just as rich and vibrant as our own. “So did you leave your room at all this afternoon?”
“Yes, around the time you returned home with your injuries, I was heading to the dining room in search of some afternoon tea. But considering that we found the poor chap outside, I don’t think I would’ve witnessed anything. I saw nothing strange from thesecond-floor windows.” Bradford shook his head, running a hand through his curls.
