Mr. Hirst’s eyes hardened in the light of his lantern. “You wouldn’t do that, sir. You don’t want the police here so soon after the murder. The hotel’s reputation is everything.” Haughty confidence dripped from every word. He knew he was right. He turned to me and I shivered beneath his ice-cold glare. “Speaking of reputations, do you know that Miss Fox is undertaking an investigation?”
“Yes, and what has that got to do with anything?” Uncle Ronald demanded.
“Do you know she’s conducting that investigation with Harry Armitage? They’ve been seen together, lookingverycomfortable in one another’s company.” He strode off, a twisted smile on his lips.
My uncle shot me a speaking look that warned me we would be having words later, then he followed Mr. Hirst down the stairs. I headed up to my suite and didn’t sleep a wink for the rest of the night.
Despite my reassurances to James,he was dismissed too. In hindsight, it was inevitable his participation in the scheme would be discovered by my uncle. Without his agreement, it couldn’t have gone ahead. According to Harmony, who’d heard it from one of the footmen, James had at least been promised a reference by Mr. Hobart, who’d overseen his dismissal when he arrived for work in the morning.
I told her what had transpired overnight but asked her not to tell anyone else. The reason for the dismissals should remain a secret. “Did you hear how Mr. Hirst took it?” I asked as she sat across from me at breakfast. “Did he say somethingas he left?”
“He was gone before even the maids arrived. No one saw him go but Sir Ronald.”
It didn’t matter, I supposed. He’d already said enough to damage my reputation in my uncle’s eyes. Uncle Ronald didn’t like Mr. Armitage, and he’d already made it clear he didn’t want him here, let alone want me associating with him.
That was not his decision to make, however, and I was determined to tell him as much when he confronted me about it. I could be friends with whomever I pleased. I only hoped it would not cause a rift between us.
Later that morning, I spent some time with Detective Inspector Hobart and his sergeant in Mr. Hobart’s office. He had already spoken with Mr. Armitage but needed to hear my version of the events that unfolded at the Larsens’ house. When I finished, the detective rose.
“Harry tells me you were quite extraordinary, Miss Fox.”
“Hardly. I gave up the investigation more than once.”
“But resumed each time. You were determined, and determination and persistence are nine-tenths of detective work.”
“I couldn’t have done it without Mr. Armitage’s assistance.”
“You make a good team.”
“I’m only sorry I can’t compensate him for his trouble. Lord Rumford never promised to pay me, and he has checked out of the hotel anyway. I’ll write to him today to inform him of events, but I doubt I’ll hear back. We didn’t part on good terms when last we met. I’m afraid I was somewhat judgmental of his choice to keep a mistress.”
He gave me a flat smile. “Harry wouldn’t accept compensation for helping you anyway.” He extended his hand and I shook it. “Good day, Miss Fox. I hope to see you again soon.”
I watched him go, feeling somewhat restless. It was disappointing that I couldn’t compensate Mr. Armitage for his time. He deserved something, but I had nothing to give. I was about to return upstairs, to write a letter to Lord Rumford, when Goliath signaled for me to join him by one of the large vases.
“I heard from my friend at the Savoy,” he said. “The one who overheard a guest mention seeing Lady Rumford at the opera.”
“It no longer matters now that the case is over. Lady Rumford’s reason for being in London has nothing to do with Pearl’s murder.”
“I know, but don’t you want to know why she didn’t tell anyone she was here?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “It’s a little scandalous.”
“Then I’m all ears.”
“According to that same lady that my friend overheard the first time, Lady Rumford has been seen with a man, several times.”
“She has a gentleman friend?”
“It seems so, but I don’t think he’s a gentleman. Apparently no one knows who he is. That’s what’s got all the ladies gossiping.”
“Meaning he isn’t from their set.” Perhaps Lady Rumford was doing the very same thing as her husband—paying a companion to be with her. I hoped so. If Lord Rumford could enjoy himself with women like Pearl, why couldn’t his wife find her own satisfaction along a similar path? I dearly hoped she could weather the gossip that was about to engulf her.
I wrote the letter to Lord Rumford and gave it to Terence at the post desk. Instead of heading back up to my suite, I instead walked to Pearl’s flat. I still had her key and I wanted to return the photograph I’d borrowed of her, Mr. Culpepper and the leading actor.
I inserted the key into the lock and my heart almost burst from my chest when the door suddenly opened. Upon seeing Lord Rumford, I pressed a hand to my stomach and breathed a sigh of relief.
“You gave me a fright.”
“And you me.” He frowned. “What are you doing here?”
