When Piers finished, Alexander scratched his head thoughtfully.“Nasty,” he commented.“And I daresay someone did have a go at the silly gudgeon as you suspect.Trouble is, we’ve got no proof of a crime unless he wakes up and accuses someone.”
“We suspected that might be the case,” Piers said.“So, we’re trying to find out from other sources what actually occurred.”
“At two in the morning?”Alexander said doubtfully.“I doubt there are any witnesses.”
“Indeed,” Piers agreed.“And I daresay this is a pretty law-abiding community.”
It was almost a question and Alexander answered it openly enough.“Not much beyond the odd Saturday night tavern brawl,” he said.“An occasional property dispute that goes too far.My prison cell in the basement is not very well used.All the same, this Edward has been causing trouble enough.It wouldn’t surprise me that someone took a poke at him.I’d even have some sympathy, to be honest, though one can hardly turn a blind eye to murder.Tell you what I’ll do, I’ll get my constable to have a look around, ask some questions.He’s a thorough sort of fellow and everyone knows him.If I learn anything, I’ll let you know.And perhaps you’d letmeknow how Edward goes on.”
“Of course.Thank you.”
“We just felt you should be informed,” April added, “even if there is little you can do at this stage.I don’t suppose you could help us with another little problem?”
“Name it,” Alexander said.
He looked slightly dazzled, which made April want to giggle.Though Piers told her she was beautiful, he was—fortunately—biased, and she believed other men’s admiration to be largely flattery or a form of courtesy.
“Um...I suppose you know Sir Dominic and Lady Temperley very well?”she said carefully.
“Not that well, but certainly for most of my life.Why?”
“It just seems slightly odd that against our agreement she took most of her servants to London, leaving us only with the cook, a footman and two maidservants.We have eight guests.And, we have just discovered, those servants are also expected to look after the Dowager Lady Temperley whom theydidleave behind.”
Alexander looked startled.“Did they?The old...lady probably refused to go.”
“Do you think so?”April debated whether or not to say the dowager had been more or less locked in her room.“At any rate, have you ever heard of her being violent?Or a danger to anyone?”
Alexander grinned.“Lord, no.She’s got a temper, mind you.Blistered me when I was a boy more than once, verbally speaking.I hear she’s taken to throwing things at her maid, but she generally misses.”
Piers touched his bruised chin.“I must have been lucky,” he murmured.“Then you don’t believe Sir Dominic would object if his mother joined us occasionally?”
“I’m sure he’d be grateful.”
“Why do you think they took all the servants?”Piers asked bluntly.“The dowager told us the London house staff had quit.”
“Probably couldn’t pay two lots of staff anymore,” Alexander said, then shifted in his seat, colouring.“Or so rumour says.Temperley’s pockets are to let, apparently, and he’s got a daughter to bring out.Needs a better match for her than he’d get around here.”
“So, if it was a matter of losing face here or in London, they would rather it was here?”
“Exactly,” Alexander said, apparently pleased by his understanding.“Doesn’t help you, of course, but you can always withhold some of your rent since they broke the agreement.Not my place to advise you, of course,” he added hastily.
“No, you’ve been very helpful,” Piers said, rising to his feet.“Much appreciated.Do call on us whenever you wish.”
***
“WE APPEAR TO BE SOLVINGall the lesser mysteries,” April said discontentedly as they rode back to Temper House, “without touching on who attacked Edward.”
“I think they do touch,” Piers argued.“Because they are short of blunt to pay two sets of staff, they took most of their country staff to town.I suspect Edward was left behind at least in part because he is disruptive, particularly to the female staff.And perhaps because the old lady likes him.Then we have plenty of motives for the attack.We know he has trifled to some degree with both Peggy and Becky at the house.Also with Anne Jenson the blacksmith’s daughter, and Mrs.Troy at Edgwick.”
“I think Mrs.Troy lied about her husband being home and asleep all night.He did too.”
“That may well be true,” Piers allowed.
“In which case, we can’t rule him out just because he could have thumped Edward a few weeks ago.Grudges can build in the mind.He could have been set off by anything, from an ale too many to the mention of Edward’s name.You’re probably right about him not hitting those who hit back, but we think Edward was ambushed, don’t we?Hedidn’tfight back.”
Piers grimaced.“Valid points.You’re right, of course.We can’t actually rule anyone out.”
“I’m inclined to rule out Harold,” April said.“Though not necessarily his father.”
