‘Forgive me, Lady Kendall, but something in our conversation sparked curiosity in me. I would like to ask you some more about the night Anthony died.’
‘Of course. What would you like to know?’
‘What was the occasion?’
She frowned. ‘No occasion. He turned up unannounced and took supper with Harry and me. We played cards for a little while, and then he left.’
‘Alone?’
‘Yes.’
Harry had mentioned that he had been visiting his sister. It had been a passing comment but Sebastian made a note to examine his friend more closely.
‘What was Anthony’s mood?’
She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. ‘He was in no particular mood. It was just a pleasant social evening, as I’m sure Harry will confirm. Why are you asking? Do you think he may have taken his own life?’
Sebastian looked at her. ‘No. I just want to be clear in my own mind that what happened was an accident.’
‘Is there any suspicion that it wasn’t?’
Sebastian ignored the question. ‘Did you see him leave?’
She shook her head. ‘He took his leave of me before midnight and I presume the rest you know. And before you ask, yes, he had consumed a deal of wine, but not enough to make him a danger.’
Sebastian nodded and rose to his feet. ‘Can I see your stables?’
Lady Kendall laughed. ‘Most men of my acquaintance would enquire about another room in my house.’
Sebastian stared at her blankly. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
‘Lord Somerton, you are a delight. Dear Isabel would be a fool to let you pass her by.’
‘Isabel?’
Lady Kendall rose from her daybed and Sebastian stood. She crossed over to him and laid a hand on his chest.
‘Lord Somerton, I pride myself on being a judge of human nature. Now let us go and inspect my stables but first I should change.’
She took an inordinately long time before rejoining him, dressed in a simple, long sleeve gown of Indian printed cotton. She carried a paisley shawl, which she threw over her shoulders as they walked to the stables. These stood a little way from the house and were a fraction of the size of those at Brantstone.
Lady Kendall summoned the stable lad who had taken Pharaoh, and Sebastian asked if he remembered the night the late Lord Somerton had visited.
‘Aye,’ the boy said slowly. ‘Was only me here. I were just seeing to the coach horses when he arrived.’
Sebastian indicated Pharaoh. ‘On that horse?’
The boy nodded. ‘He’s a fine ’orse that one. His lordship gave orders for him to be left saddled. Said he wouldn’t be long.’
That seemed to contradict Lady Kendall’s claim of a long evening of wine and cards.
‘Did anyone else come to the stable that evening?’
‘Not that I saw. I finished with the coach ’orses and spent the evening polishing the tack.’ He pointed at a room at the end of the stables.’ I musta gone to sleep cos I didn’t hear ’im leave.’
‘So anyone could have entered the stable without you seeing?’
The boy nodded and lowered his head, shooting a quick sideways glance at his mistress.
