Yes, she was one of the only people who did look well this morn. Her hair was glossy, her eyes bright, her attitude unforgivably cheerful. And I wasn’t the only one who noticed. I caught Mr. Evans giving the young woman a furtive glance or two.
Mr. Taylor, on the other hand, was scowling at Miss Smith.
“I hear the constable was finally sent for.” Lady Havenstone turned to her husband. “Hopefully we can away on the morrow. There is something in the air in this house that is unwholesome. I can feel it in my lungs.”
Lord Havenstone patted her hand. “We’ll take some walks about the grounds today. It will fix you right up.”
If the roads were clear enough to send for the constable, then I should be able to send my letter today, as well. I would have to remember to give it to the butler.
“Lord, yes.” Mr. Smith rose and filled his plate from the sideboard once more. “Pack your trunk this evening, Katherine. I want to leave first thing.”
“If we are given permission.” I tapped my thumb against the rim of my cup. Time was running short. I had been hoping for the arrival of an authority figure since Perrin was killed, but now I saw the difficulties in investigating the murder when all of the suspects had dispersed to their own homes. Even a trained magistrate would find it trying, having to travel to get answers to his questions. Many of us were in London, Miss Walker local, but the Havenstones lived somewhere in the north. And who knew where Mr. Taylor would travel to for new employment?
I stood. “Where are the rocks that were thrown through the windows?” I addressed Mr. Evans, hoping he would know.
He paused, his fork holding a bit of pork inches from his mouth. He lowered his hand. “By the front steps. Why?”
“I would like to see them.” Ignoring the curious looks, I made for the front hall.
“Why do you want to see the rocks?” Evans followed me out the front door and down the short flight of steps to the graveled drive.
I turned and spotted two stones that appeared out of place nestled along the side of the stone staircase. I pointed at them and the attorney nodded. “I want to see how heavy they are. Could a woman have thrown them through the windows?”
I strode to them. One was about the size of two of my fists held together, the other a bit larger. I bent and lifted the larger one. My back protested when I straightened. “Well, I can hold it, but tossing it at a window might prove difficult.” I would have to be standing quite close to the window. One of the rocks had traveled to the far shelves, though I supposed it could have rolled most of the way.
Evans cleared his throat. “They are a bit unwieldy, I grant, but perhaps it wouldn’t be too difficult for a younger woman….”
He trailed off at my glare.
“Did you notice anyone late to join the gathering in the hall last night?” I asked. “And aside from Mr. Ryder, did you notice who came out of their bedrooms after the noise?”
“No and no.” He ran his hand up the back of his head. The sun fell full on his face, and he squinted. “I’m afraid I wasn’t thinking about trying to identify the rock thrower until it was too late.”
As the same thing had happened to me, I couldn’t judge the man. I also couldn’t hide my disappointment. “I fear this is hopeless. We will have learned nothing of import by the time the constable arrives to take over.”
“No one else has been harmed.” Evans took the rock from my hands and replaced it on the ground. “That is what we were trying to prevent. When the constable arrives, I will be happy to place this burden into his hands.”
I frowned. It was a sensible opinion, but one I didn’t share. I didn’t like leaving things unresolved, and if I left for London now, it would eat at me.
Not having any other ideas, however, I decided to turn my attention to something I could accomplish. I bid myadieusto Mr. Evans and circled around the house to enter the kitchens by the servant’s entrance. Discretion in this matter was advisable.
The expression on the scullery maid’s face when I came inside was comical. She jumped to her feet, but I waved her back down. “I need nothing but a word with the…”
Mr. Ryder stood by the oven, his hand on Cook Clem’s shoulder, for all appearances in a deep discussion.
“…cook,” I ended. Inhaling sharply, I stomped over to the pair.
Ryder dropped his hand and gave me a pleasant smile. “Lady Mary. I would like to say I’m surprised to see you down here, but—”
“Don’t smile and simper at me, Mr. Ryder.” I planted my hands on my hips. “All that nonsense about accepting Perrin’s invitation because you were concerned about me was a load of hogwash. You came because you want to steal Cook Clem away from Perrin Manor.” I hadn’t thought Ryder had means enough to hire a highly sought-after chef, but Cook Clem’s meals were succulent enough to suffer other privations to obtain.
Ryder had the decency to flush. “Both things can be true. I was concerned, and curious, about such a brother-in-law. But the head of my social club heard I had been invited to Perrin’s home. He asked that I try to tempt Cook Clem away from his current employment and work for us. London must be a more interesting locale to live in than the countryside of southeast England,” he said to Clem. “And now with the earl gone, you might not have employment here for long, in any case.”
“Yes, London is more suited to a young, virile man like Cook Clem.” I turned my most engaging smile on the cook. “But you wouldn’t want to work for some stuffy club. No, a private home is a much better situation. If you come to work for me, I can guarantee you will be admired by the cream of London society, including my nephew, the Duke of Montague.”
I rarely entertained, but Clem didn’t need to know that. I felt a bit shameless dropping Montague’s name into the conversation, but a chef as talented as Clem would want to be admired by the highest in society. “I can guarantee your wages will be higher with me, as well.”
“Now just a moment.” Ryder drew himself up straight. His baritone voice deepened even further. “My club can—”
