Amelia came in on Henry’s arm. Lady Montrose turned to her, smiling broadly. “He is perfect, my dear. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Amelia smiled happily. Her brown curls bounced as she walked toward her mother-in-law. “I am pleased he takes after his father so well.”
“And Elizabeth grows like you more each day.” Henry kissed his wife’s cheek. “I could not be happier to see your beauty mirrored on her face.”
“I have brought you a present.” Lady Montrose nodded to the little velvet box on the table next to her seat.
Amelia picked it up and opened it. “It is lovely!” she cried. Henry's personal crest had been carved into ivory and set in gold filigree. It was an amalgamation of the Montrose coat of arms and Lady Montrose's father's crest. Her son had commissioned and created it after he had been disowned.
“It is a peculiar piece of jewelry. I saw it in a London shop and knew it would be the perfect gift. The jeweler said he could put whatever I wished in the ivory. If you press down where the necklace attaches to the pendant, it will open.”
Amelia picked up the necklace and pressed where Lady Montrose indicated. The front of the pendant popped open, revealing a cavity inside.
“It is a locket!” Amelia exclaimed, delighted. “I shall commission miniatures of the children at once.”
After a moment’s examination, she carefully detached the chain. A small gold pin slid from the back of the piece, still affixed to the chain. It was decorative in its own right and could be worn alone when not attached to the pendant. The locket could not be opened without the chain and its fitting.
Lady Montrose roused herself from her reverie. The carriage rushed along the road, the well-sprung conveyance handling the ruts with ease. Within three hours, they slowed as they entered the small town where her son had once made his home.
The carriage came to a halt before a modest house on a row. Henry could have afforded a larger abode for his family, but he insisted that if he wished to leave a prosperous business to his heir, he must practice frugality now. And so, he chose simpler accommodations. They kept a cook and a maid, though neither lived in.
The door opened, and Jameson helped her down. She climbed the steps and entered the house without knocking.
“Who is there?”
A gangly red-headed man came out of the study. He wore a black armband and a sorrowful look.
“Lady Montrose.” She stepped forward. “Who are you, and what are you doing in my son’s home?”
“My name is Robert Bingley. Henry was my partner. Well, one of them.”
“Where is he?”
“The family is laid out in the drawing room, my lady.” Mr. Bingley turned and left the room, beckoning her to follow. “The maid found them this morning. They are still searching for Miss Montrose.”
“What?” She spoke sharply. “What do you mean?”
They entered the drawing room. Three bodies lay before them. Her heart seized as she recognized her son, her daughter-in-law, and their only son.Elizabeth! She is not here.
“It appears that they were bludgeoned to death. Pardon my blunt speech, your ladyship.”
“A burglary gone wrong?” she asked. Surely, only that could explain this senseless tragedy.
“That is what the magistrate believed, but other than Miss Montrose, nothing is missing.”
She nodded slowly. “What is being done to find my granddaughter?” She felt numb, as if her feelings were just out of reach. Maude knew she ought to be wailing and weeping at the moment, but everything seemed locked away and untouchable.
“We have searched the house. We believe she may also be wounded. Two bloodstains in the study suggest that more than one person was present. However, only Henry was found.”
“I wish for them to be interred at Marston Hall,” she commanded.That was their rightful place. Something in her chest began to ache, and her eyes prickled uncomfortably.
“Forgive me, your ladyship, but I am aware that your husband has not looked favorably upon my friend for many years. Will the earl protest?”
“He is in London. I shall simply not tell him until it is too late. Jameson will see to the arrangements. I shall also order that their belongings be crated and sent to Marston Hall. Now, I shall inspect the house myself.”
Determined to save her despair for when she was alone, she walked down the short hall to the stairs that led to the chambers her son had shared with his wife—such was the nature of their happy marriage. Nothing seemed out of place there, though there was a dark spot on the rug she suspected was blood.
Mr. Bingley had been correct. The jewel box on the dressing table appeared undisturbed. It was not large; a thief could easily have taken it in its entirety. That it remained suggested robbery had not been the motive. Moving closer, she noted the chain for the pendant she had given her daughter-in-law upon the birth of her son—part of it was missing. Frowning, she rifled through the box in search of the missing piece, but found nothing.Strange,she thought.Amelia wore the pendant almost every day.Indeed, from the moment the miniatures had been secured inside, Amelia had worn the pendant unceasingly.
