She shrugged and folded her hands in her lap, hoping to stop the quakes threatening to become noticeable in her limbs. “Actually, I don’t know him well at all.”
“I believe he was acquainted with your late husband,” the other man said.
“He very well could have been,” she answered. “My husband had many friends, but that doesn’t mean I associated with them.”
“So are you saying you have never spoken to Lord Elliot?” the magistrate probed.
Diana shook her head. “I didn’t say that. You asked me how well I knew him, and I told you I didn’t know him well.” Perhaps she shouldn’t have said it like that, but the two men irritated her more as the seconds passed.
Sir Felix scowled. “Pardon me then, my lady. Let me rephrase my question.” He swallowed hard. “Have you ever talked to Lord Elliot?”
“A few times, yes.”
The two men traded glances before the man with the thinning black hair straightened and looked at her. “Did you discuss anything personal?”
“Tell me sir, how could I discuss anything personal with a man I didn’t even know well?”
“Lady Hollingsworth.” The second man’s voice nearly growled with malice. “One of his servants overheard you threatening Lord Elliot approximately two weeks ago.”
Diana’s blood turned cold as fear sliced through her. She couldn’t believe someone had heard that conversation. “Tell me sir, did this servant tell you that I threatened his life? I can assure you I did not.”
“Then tell us what you said,” the magistrate said.
Trying not to show how rattled she was, she inhaled slowly and exhaled softly. “I had attended a gathering at his manor with a friend of mine, Lady Dashwood. I happened upon Lord Elliot and one of his maids during the event. They were in a room, and as I walked by I heard him yelling at someone. When I looked in the parlor, I saw him slap the woman across the face not once, but several times. Fear was evident in her eyes and the terror in her voice was unmistakable. I cannot bear to see anyone abused, so I snapped at Lord Elliot and reprimanded him for treating the poor girl in such a way—at a social gathering, no less.” She took a deep breath and lifted her chin in defiance. “But not once did I threaten his life, even when he replied with some cruel words toward me.”
The magistrate crossed his arms over his round belly and tapped his finger against his elbow. “Lady Hollingsworth, where were you last night?”
“I have been staying at my grandmother’s cottage near Greenford for the past two weeks. One of my maids was with me, and Lady Dashwood visited me twice when I was there. I have only returned home this afternoon.”
“Lady Hollingsworth?” the second man asked. “Are you aware that Lord Elliot was killed in the same manner as your late husband?”
She nodded. “Lady Dashwood told me, but if you must know, it’s hard for me to credit.”
“Why is that so?”
“Because I cannot imagine there is someone going around murdering gentlemen in such a way. It’s very frightening.”
Sir Felix nodded. “Indeed, it is. Lady Hollingsworth,” he continued without hesitating, “how close are you to Lord Tristan?”
Fear clutched her throat, and she held her breath. How could she answer that question? Good Heavens! She forced herself to laugh lightly. “Oh, I’m quite certain you already know the answer to that. If you have lived around these parts in the past few years, I’m sure you have heard about the scandal that happened between Lord Tristan and myself.”
Both men nodded, but it was the magistrate who continued his questions. “That is the very reason I ask, my lady. As you are probably aware, Lord Tristan is also a suspect.”
“Yes, I heard the rumor.”
“Well, we are now wondering if the two killings are connected—that maybe there is more than one person involved.”
She didn’t like the sound of that. “Pray, please cease confusing me in such a manner. What has this got to do with Lord Tristan?”
The magistrate’s eyes narrowed and a wicked grin stretched his lips. “With all due respect, Lady Hollingsworth, we are wondering if you and Lord Tristan are working together on this—ridding the world of men who abuse women.”
“Of all the insane, ridiculous notions!” Diana jumped to her feet. “You two must be out of your mind to think such a thing.”
The two men quickly rose. “Lady Hollingsworth, were you not with Lord Tristan these past few days? Rumors have it that he was kidnapped and taken away from Mayfair by a woman set on revenge.” The magistrate arched his brow. “And you just admitted to be at your grandmother’s cottage for the past little while. I think this is too coincidental.”
“Then you,” Diana growled each word slowly, “are thinking entirely too much.” Taking a deep breath, she concentrated on calming her ire. “Tell me, did you once stop to ask yourself that if I had kidnapped Lord Tristan and taken him to my grandmother’s cottage, how would we have been able to murder Lord Elliot? Especially with his lordship’s manor completely out of the way from my grandmother’s cottage.”
The two dolts exchanged worried glances before they aimed their attention back to her.
