And with his wife’s father controlling the purse strings, Havenstone was hardly in a position to refuse. Still, it showed a lack of awareness on his wife’s part, inflicting Perrin on her husband. Or a lack of compassion. Or maybe this was her idea of revenge, forcing her fiscally irresponsible husband to face the instrument of his folly.
“Where were you when Mr. Taylor was killed?” I asked.
“With Lady Havenstone.” His jaw set. His stare hardened. I knew I wouldn’t get a different answer, no matter how much I pressed.
My problem was I couldn’t determine if it was the honest answer or not.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Lady Mary
“But where hasshe gone?” It was after yet another succulent dinner, and I had cornered my quarry at the top of the stairs leading down to the kitchens. “And why? She didn’t seem the sort of girl to go larking about.”
The butler ran his fingers through his thinning hair. “Marie had a family matter to attend to. She won’t be far when the magistrate comes, if he wants to ask her some questions.”
Iwanted to ask her some questions. “And where is her family?” The roads should be passable for my carriage by now. Or at least a cart.
Mr. Ryder joined us, a small glass of cordial in his hand. “Leave the poor man be. There are some goings-on around here that aren’t related to the murders. And aren’t our business, either.” The corners of his eyes crinkled, but his tone was firm.
I eyed him with suspicion. Why did it feel as though Ryder knew something that I didn’t? It was a feeling I didn’t appreciate. And I didn’t like this business of a maid disappearing. I drew my eyebrows together. Two maids. “And what of the other girl? Did she also have a family matter to attend to? The odds of two maids each leaving on family emergencies seems too great to countenance.”
Ryder and the butler shared a look, and the back of my neck heated. The moralist definitely knew something I didn’t.
“As you say, it is a great coincidence.” Ryder hooked his thumb in the pocket of his waistcoat. The motion emphasized how flat the man’s abdomen remained, and I sucked in my own, just a little. “The girls are friends. Could not one have left to aid the other?”
The problem with Mr. Ryder was he always managed to sound so reasonable. It made me unreasonably irritated. “It is possible,” I conceded. “But I—”
A clatter of pots and pans hitting stone rose up from the kitchen.
“Excuse me, milady.” The butler inclined his head. “I must attend to that.” And he disappeared down the stairs, looking more relieved than he should for the mess that awaited him.
I turned on Mr. Ryder. “What do you know?”
“That it is abominably rude for a gentleman to keep a lady standing when a comfortable chair is nearby.” He crooked his elbow, inviting me to take it. “Shall we join the others in the sitting room?”
Scowling, I took his arm. “Marie wanted to tell me something, and now she’s disappeared. I want to know why.”
His warm chocolate eyes glinted down at me. “And do you always get what you want?”
“In general, yes.” For the small things, at least. Being the daughter of an earl and the aunt to a duke guaranteed me some power. But for other things, the things that really mattered, I was as susceptible to the vagaries of life as anyone else.
They stopped at the open door to the sitting room. A harried-looking Lord Havenstone stood in the center of the room, waving his arms about in an attempt at pantomime.
I fell back a step. “And right now I wish not to join this game,” I whispered.
With a nod, Ryder pivoted and led us quickly away. I hurried, shoulders bunched, expecting Miss Walker to chase after us, but we made our escape without interruption.
We went to the library. A small fire was dwindling in the grate, and Ryder went over to add more coal.
I settled myself in what I was coming to think of as my chair and leaned my walking stick against the armrest. I examined Ryder as heat from the fire crept past my clothes and warmed my body. “Why are you privy to information about Perrin’s servants and I am not? Until Perrin’s sons arrive, the butler has looked to me for direction.”
Ryder sank into a chair across from mine and stretched out his long legs, crossing them at the ankles. “I am not attempting a mutiny, if that is your concern.”
It hadn’t been, not until now.
He continued. “I overheard some sensitive information last time I was in the kitchen.” He held up a hand. “It has nothing to do with your murders. Since learning of the situation, however, I have tried to assist the parties as best I can.”
“What information?” And had he met with any success in the kitchen? I knew he must have been there in an attempt to woo Cook Clem. He’d best not have succeeded.
