Frederick’s chest tightened. The woman’s big, brown eyes pleaded to be believed. Her concern for her mother seemed real. In a different situation, he would have felt sympathy for her.
“You don’t have to convince me, girl,” Lady Mary said. “I believe you. I’ve known your mother too long.” She lowered her head and studied Miss Lynton. “It’s you whom I’m unsure of.”
Miss Lynton stilled. “You suspect me?”
Lady Mary arched a white eyebrow. “Your family isn’t having financial problems. You lied to me, and you wanted your mother removed from the club. Was it because you knew she and Lady Richford were at odds? You were worried about what might happen? How far would you go to protect your mother, my dear?”
Frederick sat back. Lady Mary was doing a surprisingly decent job of questioning his suspect. He felt no need to intervene, as yet.
“But…” Miss Lynton blinked. “You saw me. In the Tea Room. We found her body together.”
“You came in a couple minutes after midnight.” Lady Mary sniffed. “I know because I checked the clock when Bobby wasn’t around to top up my drink. It wouldn’t have given you much time, but it is possible.”
A red stain flushed across Miss Lynton’s cheeks. She stared at a point between Lady Mary and him. “Yes, well, you see, the truth is, Bobby and I were delayed for the same reason.” She delicately cleared her throat. “We were together, you see.”
Silence followed that pronouncement. After a moment, Lady Mary pushed her chair back and rang the servants’ bell. As fortune would have it, Bobby himself knocked on the door to answer the summons.
Lady Mary laced her fingers together on the desk and leaned forward. “Bobby, you told me that on the night of the murder, you left your restocking of the bar to check that all the windows of the club were locked before rejoining me at twelve oh eight.”
He looked at the three occupants of the room and rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I don’t rightly remember the exact minute when I returned, but yes.”
“Miss Lynton has just stated that she was with you from…?”
Miss Lynton’s voice was low. “We were together for about fifteen minutes before we joined you in the Tea Room.”
Frederick forced his fist to unclench. This was good information gathering. He might finally be getting somewhere in the investigation. Anger was an inappropriate emotion.
“Is it true?” Lady Mary asked.
“Lud, I didn’t want to hurt her reputation none, but yes, milady.” Bobby rubbed his palms on his trousers. “She wanted me to come to you with a story, something about her mother causing trouble, and she….” He shrugged, a small smile curling his lips. “Well, she asked meverynicely.”
Frederick’s hand was fisted once more, and he felt the inexplicable urge to plant it right in the smug bastard’s face. He didn’t like men who preyed on scared and vulnerable women.
“And you were together for about fifteen minutes, as she said?” Lady Mary’s voice was sharp.
“Yes milady. Timothy almost caught us in the Greek Room when he was making his rounds, making sure everyone was gone.” Bobby shifted his weight. “What she was offering was sweet, but I had to get back to work.” He turned a pleading look on Lady Mary. “I take my duties seriously, you know.”
“Yes, Bobby. You may go.” The sound of the door closing behind him was loud in the ensuing silence.
Lady Mary sniffed. “You used my club for your seduction? Truly?”
Miss Lynton slumped in her chair. “Nothing of import happened. It was a failed seduction.” Her blush deepened. “He didn’t want to risk his employment, not even for….” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Are you angry?”
“I am, but not at you.” Lady Mary pressed her palms to the desk and stood. “I should have put together the connection of your arrivals happening within a minute of each other. That was sloppy on my part.” She began pacing. “It appears we all have an interest in finding Lady Richford’s killer.”
Frederick dragged his gaze away from Miss Lynton’s rounded shoulders. “Other parties may be interested, but only I have the authority to look into the matter.”
“You’re investigating because it’s your job and you get paid,” Lady Mary said archly. “Miss Lynton and I want to uncover the truth because the matter is near to our hearts. I think our motives are superior to yours.”
Miss Lynton nodded, slowly sitting up straight. “That’s right. The outcome of this investigation won’t affect you, Mr. Rollins, but it has the capacity to hurt us deeply.”
“Correct.” Lady Mary stopped at the end of her desk and stared at them. She took a deep breath. “And I have a proposal. One some of us won’t like.”
“And that is?” Frederick’s body tensed slightly, as though preparing for a fight.
“That we should work together.” Lady Mary nodded decisively. “The three of us will discover who killed Lady Richford.”
Chapter Twelve
