After dressing for dinner,I knocked on Lord Rumford’s door, hoping to catch him before he left. A gentleman of his standing would have an invitation to dine with friends or at a club, so I suspected he wouldn’t leave quite this early. It was only seven-thirty.
He answered the door in his evening suit of stiff shirt and collar, with a white bow tie and waistcoat. “You’ve found her killer?”
“Not yet, I’m afraid. I needed to check something with you.”
He did not invite me in, which was quite all right with me. Without Harmony or another chaperone, it would not be appropriate. What I had to say would be brief anyway.
“Actually I have two questions. Both might be a little painful for you to answer, but I hope you understand that I have to ask them.”
“Of course,” he said carefully. “If you think they’ll help.”
“According to witnesses, Pearl called on Lord Wrexham just after Christmas.”
His jaw went slack. “Oh.”
“Did you know?”
He shook his head.
“Do you know why she would see him?”
Another shake of his head, but this one was more thoughtful. “I don’t understand.” He glanced down the corridor then met my gaze. “I’m not such a fool to think she loved me. Not the way I loved her. I do like to think she cared for me, however, and certainly more than she cared for Wrexham.”
“You knew they were together before she took up with you?”
“It was common knowledge in certain circles. The thing is, Pearl told me he was somewhat mean and selfish. He gave her gifts, of course, but nothing extravagant. He didn’t put her up in her own place, and didn’t care that she lived in a god-awful room in the worst part of the city. He never visited her there, of course. They went to hotels to be alone. That’s ultimately why Pearl left him.”
“Do you know how Lord Wrexham took the rejection?”
“She didn’t say.”
I almost told him it was Lord Wrexham I’d seen at Pearl’s funeral but decided against it. “What about Lady Wrexham? Do you know what she thought of her husband’s relationship with Pearl?”
He gave me a cynical smile. “She probably accepted it as well as any man’s wife would.”
It was the perfect lead-in to my next question, but my mouth suddenly went dry. I didn’t want to ask it. This man was old enough to be my father; he was a distinguished lord. And I was going to ask him a very personal question.
But it had to be asked. “Do you know if Lady Rumford is in London?”
“My wife?” he blurted out. “Of course she’s not. Whywould she be?”
“I don’t know, but I heard a rumor that she was seen at the opera a few nights ago. I’m sorry, but I had to check. The witness must have been mistaken.”
He no longer seemed to be listening. The moment I mentioned when she’d been seen, the crease across his forehead deepened. He stared down at the floor between us.
“That’s all,” I said. “Goodnight, my lord. Enjoy your evening.”
He rallied, his gaze refocusing. “Actually I’m dining with you and your family. I was at a loose end and Sir Ronald was kind enough to invite me.”
I smiled. “Then I’ll see you down there.”
“May I escort you?” He checked his pocket watch. “I’ll collect you at eight.”
“I’d be delighted.”
At precisely eight, Lord Rumford knocked on my door. With a warm smile, he offered me his arm. We waited at the lift together and were soon joined by Flossy, who gave me a suspicious look.
Downstairs in the dining room, we were greeted by Mr. Chapman who bowed at his lordship before indicating the family table. Uncle Ronald and Floyd were already there, although neither were seated. They spoke to two other men. Or, rather, my uncle spoke and Floyd looked on. The two men departed upon our arrival.
