Skirts and boots.
“Marie, before Perrin was killed, do you remember needing to clean mud off anyone’s clothes or shoes?” If someone picked a poisonous leaf from the garden here, he or she might have tromped through some mud to get to it.
She tossed the rag in the bucket and rose, stretching her back. “I didn’t notice, but I can ask the girl who does the laundry. But that wasn’t something Lord Perrin instructed us to look for.A bit of dirt isn’t scandalous enough to threaten someone with exposure, if you take my meaning.”
Someone gasped.
Marie and I turned toward the door.
Miss Smith stood there, three books bundled in her arms, a shocked expression on her face. “Do you mean to say that Lord Perrin had the servants looking for reasons to…to…extort his guests?”
I dropped my chin. “Come now, we already knew Perrin was a scoundrel. No need to act surprised.”
She walked into the room and dumped her books on a side table. “Did you look through my things?”
Marie shifted her weight. She raised one shoulder. “You ’ave lovely pantalets. I especially like the ones with the blue lace trim.”
Miss Smith’s cheeks went pink. “Thank heavens I didn’t marry that man.”
Marie twisted her mouth. “Is Mr. Taylor going to be any better?”
“I’m not marrying Mr. Taylor, either.” Miss Smith frowned.
“Oh.” Marie scratched her head. “Does ’e know that?”
I bit back a laugh. This maid had some cheek, I’d give her that. I was surprised Perrin would suffer such forthright talk to her betters. Perhaps he hadn’t. Perhaps the girl was clever enough to know around whom she could loose her tongue.
Miss Smith stiffened. “There is nothing between Mr. Taylor and myself.”
“Begging your pardon, miss, but all of us who serve this ’ouse know of Mr. Taylor’s fondness for you. ’e didn’t want you marrying the master. Made that clear, ’e did. And we thought ’e intended on marrying you, after Perrin’s death and all. ’e thinks you are, at least.”
The color on Miss Smith’s face deepened. She balled her hands into fists.
I watched the maid. “Did Mr. Taylor want Miss Smith enough to kill for her?”
“Oh, really,” the woman in question muttered.
“People ’ave done more foolish things for worse reasons,” Marie said, sounding wise beyond her years. “You’re better off, begging my pardon for saying so. Lord Perrin wouldn’t be a proper ’usband.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“The master was supposed to get engaged during this party. To ’er.” Marie bobbed her head at Miss Smith, a strand of hair coming loose from under her cap. “And still Lord Perrin invited Mrs. Draper ’ere. Luckily, she declined, which put the master in a right foul mood, it did.”
Miss Smith’s forehead creased. “Who is Mrs. Draper?”
This time it was Marie who went pink. “Well, she’s a woman Lord Perrin used to…well, they used to….” She huffed out a breath. “Let me put it this way. We all thought ’er name was quite fitting, seeing as she used to drape ’er arms about the master, drape ’er skirts over ’is lap, drape ’er ti—”
“Yes,” I broke in. I appreciated when a person spoke their mind regardless of their perceived social status, but perhaps the girl could learn a bit more discretion. “We take your meaning, Marie.”
“And Perrin invited that woman to this party?” Miss Smith planted her hands on her hips. “A party to which he’d also invited me, his presumed affianced?”
Marie winced. “Yes.” The word came out sounding more like a question.
“What a lovely man.” Miss Smith’s eyes narrowed to slits. “It’s no wonder the house is filled with the sounds of mourning.Orphan and widow alike will fall to their knees in grief on hearing of his passing.”
I ignored the girl’s overly-dramatic sarcasm. “Are you certain about Perrin’s indiscretions?” Though it was hard to hide something like that from the servants.
The maid rubbed her lower back. “The last party at Perrin Manor, the master was quite open about it. Touching ’er shoulders. Giving ’er meaningful looks. And right in front of poor Miss Walker. That was one of the few times I actually felt bad for the woman.” Marie made a face. “Though mayhap she deserved it.”
