Tulip tugged on his arm to hold him back a moment.“Seriously?Are you worriedshemeans to poison us all?”
“I have no idea if she does or not.But why take the risk?Anyway, it is probably just me she is thinking to poison…or perhaps you, too.”He paused a moment and took her gently by the shoulders.“Or perhaps it is William she means to harm.This would be her best chance, would it not?How can I not be wary of her, especially after what you’ve just told me?”
“But she sounded so innocent, and she told me more…” She took a deep breath.“Oh, Alex, she told me about your father.He did love your mother very much.She said so.”
“Oh, and you believed her?Can you not see she was manipulating you?What a good little actress she is.”
Tulip stared up at him.“You think she was lying to me?”
“My fatherabandonedmy mother and never gave a second thought to me.So, yes.What she told you was utter nonsense.But more to the point, if she won’t dine with us tonight, then she’s not going to supervise tonight’s meal preparation.Mrs.Crabbe is more than capable of handling it all on her own.”
“Dear heaven.”But this made sense, especially if he thought their housekeeper was a murderess who poisoned her victims.
Was she that sly and conniving?
Tulip had been completely taken in, falling for her tears and for her stories.
Or was Alex wrong about their housekeeper?
He marched into the kitchen with all the authority of a man born to be a duke.“Mrs.Crabbe, has Mrs.Granger come in here recently?”
Their cook was as tough as nails, but even she was intimidated by Alex and his fierce scowl.“No, Yer Grace.Not since early this morning.”
“What was she doing in here in the morning?”
“Reviewing the menus with me, as she does every day.”Her usually surly demeanor was gone and she was surprisingly deferential to Alex.
Well, he was the duke.
And he did look quite fierce at the moment.
His gaze remained on Mrs.Crabbe.“Just reviewing or did she go near the food?”
“None of the food was out yet, Yer Grace.”Mrs.Crabbe frowned.“Has she reported a problem?My food is fresh and I will not have anyone accusing me otherwise.”
Since their cook looked ready to grab a rolling pin and go after the housekeeper, Tulip spoke up.“No accusations, Mrs.Crabbe.But are you certain she did not go anywhere near the food today?”
“Quite certain,” she said with a nod.
Alex appeared a little calmer as he said, “She was looking quite peaked just now and it seemed as though her stomach was upset.I have no doubt everything you put out tonight will be flawless and make us proud.But if she is coming down with something, then it is best she stay out of here for the rest of the day.If she touched something, then throw it out.I won’t have our guests getting ill because she has contaminated your finest preparations.”
That seemed to mollify the woman.“If Mrs.Granger is ill, I’ll make up some broth for her.Never ye worry, Yer Grace.I will not let her into my kitchen until she has recovered from whatever ails her.As ye said, I do not need her breathing on my food or coughing in here.My scullery girls don’t need to be getting sick, either.”
She then turned to the girls.“Did ye hear that, loves?Mrs.Granger is not to step foot in here until I say so.”
The girls, who were huddled together and listening to their exchange with wild-eyed looks of fear, bobbed their heads.
Alex nodded in satisfaction and strode out.
Tulip thanked Mrs.Crabbe and then scrambled after him.“Where are you going next?”
“Where do you think?”he asked, his expression daunting.“I’m going to find Mrs.Granger and question her thoroughly.She cannot simply hurl an accusation about your uncle and then go on her merry way.”
Tulip cleared her throat.“Um, she was scared, Alex.Not in the least arrogant or irreverent.In fact, we might have this all wrong.If your predecessors were murdered, then I do not think it was her.”
“Oh, really?That is quite an abrupt change of heart.”He folded his arms across his chest and stared down at her.“If that is so, then let me confirm it.This doesn’t change a thing.I still need to find her.I’m also going to search her quarters.”
“For evidence of poisons?All right, but let me be the one to check her quarters.The staff will talk if they see you go in there.They’ll think…well, you know.They’ll think you are as lecherous as the prior Davenport dukes.”
