“My memory of that night is still unclear,” she said, brushing offhis apology, “but I do recall my utter shock at overhearing the conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Harley. I don’t know what possessed me to venture out on my own—I don’t know what I thought I would do if I caught the housemaids with the Harley and Frederick, but I do know that someone must have followed me. And whoever it was wanted to stop me from going to the lake.”
“Someone must have been watching you and waiting for an opportunity to catch you alone.”
Bridget shuddered visibly, and Nate imagined the idea of someone watching and waiting for an opportunity to kill her.
“Thus far, we’ve assumed that the same person who killed Madam Bouffant and Abigail also wanted to silence you—do you still think that way?”
“I don’t know. Lady Eamont had reason to kill Madam Bouffant, and she clearly blames me for your refusal to marry Adelia, but what reason could she have to kill Abigail?”
“Abigail may have discovered something. Perhaps, she witnessed more than she revealed when she found Madam Bouffant’s body. Maybe she saw Lady Eamont and used that information to blackmail her.”
“But Sarah was with her. Wouldn’t her life be in danger too?”
“Abigail said that Sarah was a few seconds behind her. She’s the one who screamed and alerted you. Abigail may have caught a glimpse of Lady Eamont before Sarah arrived.” Nate drummed his fingers on the desk. “Unfortunately, we have no proof whatsoever and barely time to find any.”
Suddenly, Lady Darby’s shrill voice sounded outside, along with Harley’s muffled voice.
“It seems that Lady Darby has been given the news after all,” Nate said.
Bridget exhaled. “Yes, it does. I imagine it must be awful for Mrs. Harley. She cannot help it if she is barren, and then to be made to feellike a failure and to have her husband punished and humiliated for something that cannot be helped.”
“I agree. She’s lucky that Lady Darby doesn’t have the authority to chop her head off. I have the feeling that’s exactly what she would do if she had the power.”
Bridget bit her lip. “I’ve just thought of something.”
“Are you going to share it with me?” Nate asked.
“We’ve been going off the assumption that there’s only one offender, but perhaps there are two.”
Nate tilted his head, interested to hear more.
Bridget stood up. “I think I need to spend a bit of quality time with Mrs. Harley.”
“You what?” Nathan asked, but Bridget was already out the door.
*
Bridget knocked onMrs. Harley’s chamber door and was greeted by her lady’s maid.
“I’ve come to check on Mrs. Harley.” She smiled. “How is she feeling?”
“She’s still poorly.” The lady’s maid held the door ajar. “I’ll let her know you came—”
“Oh, the poor dear.” Bridget pushed past the maid and stepped into the darkened room.
“Is that Miss De Lacey?” Bridget heard Mrs. Harley’s faint voice.
“Yes, ma’am. I tried to tell her you were indisposed but—”
“Wait outside,” Bridget instructed the servant before she could finish her sentence.
The maid hesitated.
“How kind of you to come, but I’m afraid you’ve caught me in an awful state.” Mrs. Harley lay on her settee with a damp cloth stretched across her forehead.
“Mrs. Harley requires a strong cup of tea,” Bridget instructed the maid.
“Lady Darby said—” the maid began.
