I toed the grate of the fireplace. “You must regret accepting Perrin’s invitation. All you’ve accomplished is to become entangled in gossip and intrigue. You won’t even get a cook out of it.”
He arched a salt and pepper eyebrow. “You’re certain of that?”
I wasn’t, but there was nothing wrong with a good bluff. “I’ve engaged in further negotiations with Cook Clem. I believe I’ve made my case.” Clem had seemed ready to leave the country for London. And I could pay significantly more than Ryder’s club.
A throat cleared at the door. “Excuse me, milady, Mr. Ryder.” The butler inclined his head. “I thought you’d want to know that Constable Adams sent the household a message.”
He paused, whether waiting for permission to continue or for dramatic effect, I didn’t know.
“And?” I asked, trying to keep the irritation from my voice.
“He says the guests can prepare for departure soon. The magistrate arrives tomorrow.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Henry
“And those areall the motives you know for why someone might want Lord Perrin dead?” The magistrate, the Right Honorable Lord Preston, rubbed his eyes. The skin beneath them was bruised and puffy, speaking to many sleepless nights. Henry couldn’t help but wonder just how many miners he and the other men were able to pull from the collapsed mine. And how many bodies.
“Yes, my lord, although I do want to point out that Mr. Smith was easily able to recoup his losses.” Henry leaned forward on his seat in the front sitting room. The morning sun was streaming directly into his eyes. “I no longer feel his motive to be strong.”
Preston closed his notebook. “Thank you for your opinion. You’ve given Constable Adams your direction if I need to contact you again?”
Henry nodded.
“Then you are free to leave Perrin Manor,” Preston said. “Please send in Lord and Lady Havenstone.”
Henry nodded and stood, his chest oddly tight. He went to the rear sitting room and told the Havenstones it was their turn with the magistrate.
Katherine jumped from her seat. She took a step toward him, paused and looked about the room, then made her way to him ata moderate pace. “What did you say? How did it fare?” she said in a low voice.
“I told him what I knew.”
Her eyebrows arched. “Everything?”
“Well, I didn’t mention we had been looking into the murders ourselves.” He made sure no one was looking their way and dragged his finger across the back of her hand. “Or anything else that is none of his concern.”
His chest tightened. And tomorrow he would be gone back to Exeter and she to London.
She swayed closer. “Does he—”
“So what did the magistrate say to you?” Lady Mary stood behind them, a cup of tea in her hand. She took a small sip. “He was most closed-mouthed with his thoughts when we spoke.”
“Imagine that,” Henry murmured. He shrugged at the older woman’s glare. “He has only just arrived. I would not expect to be privy to his opinions on the matter.”
Lady Mary sniffed. “Yet he is allowing everyone to return home on the morrow. He seems a bit rash.”
“How long can he expect everyone to remain?” Katherine asked. She rubbed her arm. “Constable Adams is removing the bodies to town. He said the magistrate has a physician he wishes to examine them and then he will release them to be buried. Life moves on.”
Without him.
Henry pressed his lips flat. Did she have to sound so resolved to that fact? Would their separation mean so little to her? Or was she only being smart, resigning herself to what neither of them could change?
He looked to her father. Or could they?
“There is still the matter of the killer to be caught.” Lady Mary stabbed her walking stick into the carpet. “I, for one, will not be leaving until this has been solved.”
Henry grimaced. “You have a reason to stay, as the nearest relation. I, however, can think of no excuse to explain my remaining. And even if I did, everyone else will have left, including all of our suspects. What would be the point?”
