Katherine popped up. “Why are we even discussing this? Uncovering who killed Perrin is a job for the authorities.” She started for the door.
“Don’t you want to know who the third person is?” Lady Mary called.
Katherine stopped, her shoulder blades drawing close. “No.” Because she already knew. Just as she knew he couldn’t have done it.
“Your father has one of the strongest motives of all,” Lady Mary said. “He came to this house party expecting to finalize your marriage contract and instead learned that Perrin was trying to trick him into trading for another parcel of land than the one agreed upon.”
“The deception would have angered my father, like it would anyone, but it isn’t a financial blow.” She bit down on the inside of her cheek. There were periods when her father became ‘cash poor’ as he was wont to call it, having tied up his money in purchases of land or businesses. There were times when their finances had become tight waiting for his investments to produce. But while cash might become limited, her father was still wealthy. He could sell one of his assets if he ever needed to.
She turned to face them. “Besides, my father wouldn’t know the first thing about poisoning someone. If he were to kill, it would be in a different manner.”
“That’s not a defense I would recommend using before the magistrate.” Mr. Evans arched an eyebrow.
“My father doesn’t need me to defend him. Besides, both of you are ignoring the prime suspect and motive. Unrequited love. Miss Walker wanted nothing more than to become Lady Perrin. It was obvious in the way she treated Perrin Manor as her own, the way she spoke to the earl, and the low way she treated me when I arrived.”
Lady Mary pursed her lips. “That seems like more a motive to kill you than Perrin.”
Mr. Evans nodded in agreement.
“She has been his neighbor her whole life. Watched, heartbroken, as he married Mr. Withers’s sister, and thought she finally had a chance upon her death.” Katherine warmedto her idea. She could see it in her head, the bitter, spiteful woman Miss Walker had become after waiting so long. “She thought she might finally have her chance, but Perrin goes and chooses someone else. Again, she’s spurned, and she’s finally had enough.”
“A dramatic story,” Mr. Evans said dryly, “but you’ve absolutely no evidence.”
“And you do?” Katherine stepped up to him, needing to tilt her head back to look him in the face. He was most annoyingly tall.
He examined her, tilting his head. His eyes were the color of a fine whiskey, and they seemed to see more into her mind than she wanted. She shifted on her feet. With his brawny size and blunt features, Mr. Evans appeared more a laborer than a professional. She would have to remember there was a sharp mind in that attractive head.
Lady Mary interrupted their little battle of stares. “Right now, all we have are suspicions. What we need is proof, and I suggest we look for it.”
Katherine snapped her head around to look at Lady Mary. “What? You want us to look for a killer? Are you mad?”
“I’ve been called that before.” Lady Mary pushed her spectacles up higher on her nose. “But I tend to get results and that’s what matters. There is a killer in this house, and the magistrate is still days away.”
“Yes, the magistrate is just days away.” Katherine shook her head. “There is no reason we cannot wait for his arrival.”
“I don’t like waiting.” Lady Mary sniffed.
“It might not be safe to wait,” Mr. Evans agreed.
Theyweremad, the both of them. Katherine took a step back.
Lady Mary made an exasperated sound. “I’m not asking you to climb through windows or interrogate anyone. Just keep youreyes and ears open. If you say your father is innocent, this would only be of help to him.”
Katherine narrowed her eyes. Well, that was low, but it wasn’t wrong. Her father would be under suspicion. Lud, she might still be, as the unwilling bride.
She nodded. “I won’t investigate, but I will look and listen. If I learn of anything important, I’ll let you know.” And she knew right where she would start. Mr. Evans and Lady Mary might not think much of her theory, but Katherine knew better than most that a heart shouldn’t be trifled with. Knew what it was like to dream of a future only to have it ripped out from under you.
Her father might be at the top of Lady Mary’s list, but Miss Walker was at the top of hers.
Chapter Thirteen
Lady Mary
It might havebeen stocked merely for appearances’ sake, but the library in Perrin Manor held an exemplary collection. And with steady sunlight now streaming through the windows on the first truly clear day since I’d arrived, I desired nothing more than to find a good book and take my seat in the wingback by the fireplace with a plate of Cook Clem’s pastries by my side.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time for leisure. Also, a maid had said the last of the previous day’s sweets had already been claimed. I sniffed.
To further my pique, I found my chair already occupied when I entered the library.
