He busied himself by removing his own wet boots as she continued to toss questions at him.“Nor do I believe Mrs.Crabbe was ever anyone’s accomplice, Tulip.I only mention this since you seem to be curious about all the old retainers.”
Tulip nodded.“I agree that she could not have been involved.She is a complete curmudgeon and does not hold back if she is irritated with you.A killer or his accomplice would be sly and never reveal their feelings, is that not so?”
“Yes, love,” he said softly, now unbuttoning his shirt.
“So…that leaves Ernfield.Am I right?He was the only other staff member in service back in Elspeth’s day, still working here now, and who could move about the house without suspicion raised.It must be Ernfield.But why would he harm his employers?And how?What is his possible connection to all the murders?Yet, who else but Ernfield could ever get so close to any of them that easily?It is him.Isn’t it?I sensed it as he stood beside me and watched you carry Mrs.Granger back to the house.He wasn’t concerned so much as agitated, no doubt worried she was going to wake up and accuse him.Oh, we must protect her.Tell me, Alex.I’ve guessed it, haven’t I?It’s Ernfield.”
He sighed as he studied her determined expression.“Yes.Why else would I send him off to find the doctor?I needed him out of the house while I gather the evidence against him.But Tulip, you cannot let on to anyone else that he is the guilty party.”
“I’ll try my best,” she said in earnest.
He gave her a light kiss on the lips.“That’s the hard part for you, isn’t it?You cannot help but show your feelings.”
“I’m sorry, Alex.I will try, I promise.”
“I know, love.Nor am I complaining about it.I like that you are soft and compassionate.Just try to remain stoic while I interrogate the long-time retainers.I’ll start with the ladies first because they tend to notice details and share information among themselves.Men don’t.”
Her eyes bulged when he took off his shirt.
He frowned.“What’s wrong?Why are you gaping at me?”
“You’re shirtless.”
He shook his head and laughed.“Too distracting for you?”
She blushed profusely.“Yes.”
He grinned.“Then turn around, love.I’m about to drop my trousers.”
CHAPTER 15
TO ALEX’S SLIGHTdisappointment, Tulip did turn away and marched to the window to look out of it.“I always thought you were an extremely handsome man,” she said, her gaze intent upon the view, “but you manage to get even handsomer by the day.Why is that, do you think?”
“Is it not obvious, Tulip?”
She still had her back to him, but nodded.“I suppose.But is it not too soon to feel a thing so deeply?To form an abiding and powerful connection within a matter of days, barely a fortnight, and not even a full month yet?”
“A bond of love,” he said softly.
She nodded again.“Yes, that.I adore your intelligence and your strength.Your charm and quiet wit.I love that you hold me in your arms each night, and include me in your tours of the Davenport farms.I love that we are a part of each other’s lives.”
“So do I, Tulip.”
She turned back to face him now that he had changed into dry clothes and was about to don a pair of dry boots.“Alex, I meant to tell you this after tonight’s dinner party…but I think I must say it now.”
“What, sweetheart?”He sank onto a chair and was in the midst of donning the first of his dry boots when he heard her take a deep breath.
Was she going to reveal more of her conversation with Mrs.Granger?Or mention Ernfield again?His heart had taken a sudden lurch when he saw the head butler standing on the terrace beside her as he’d slogged out of the salt marsh.
No reason why apprehension had surged through him.
Just instinct.
He now understood why.
The man was a killer.
What would Ernfield have done if Carver’s two workers had not been keeping watch over Tulip?
