Jack looked reluctant to move on, but relented. “No. Iwanted to tell you that I have instructed my solicitor to look into Detective Inspector Dorian.”
“Why?” That was not at all what I expected.
My brother huffed in exasperation. “Because if he doesn’t do his job and tries to pin this murder on Delia, we need to be prepared.”
I shook my head slowly. “Are you suggesting you’re gathering evidence to use against him?
Jack’s mouth tightened. “Only if necessary.”
I may not have complete faith in the authorities, but I still found this rather appalling.
“That’s—”
“How things are done here,” he said sternly.
I scoffed at this rather convenient justification, then another thought occurred to me. “Are you having someone look into the murder as well?” My brother shrugged in answer. “I can’t believe you!” I hissed. “And after all that rot you said about not wanting me to be involved!”
“Well, Idon’t,” he insisted. “Because it isn’t safe. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit back and twiddle my thumbs while some upstart detective from Hackney tries to blame a murder on my sister.”
The Dorians were from Hackney? I couldn’t ignore my interest in this bit of information Then I shook my head. Now was not the time. “That isn’t remotely the case.”
“Not yet,” he corrected. “And as I said, we will only act if necessary. Though I expect we will find something worth ensuring his cooperation, especially if he’s anything like his brother,” he added.
I pressed my lips together. Mr. Dorian’s divorce last year had been the subject of intense speculation and gossip. That scrutiny had been a large part of why he had fled to Corfu in the first place. Luckily, Jack didn’t seem to know of our connection. At least for now.
“Well, I do not support this at all,” I said primly.
“I think you will if things take a turn. But what I said this morning still stands. You aren’t to involve yourself. Besides, Delia needs you.”
On that we agreed, at least.
“I know,” I said softly. “I will visit her tomorrow.”
Jack gave a distracted nod. For once, I didn’t want to know at all what he was thinking about. “Good. I will keep you informed of any developments. And I made sure Scotland Yard knows to go through my solicitor first if they want anything from you.”
“Thank you.” It was, admittedly, a relief to know I couldn’t be brought in for additional questioning without any notice. That would be a very difficult scenario to explain to Tommy.
“Of course.” Jack then gave me a short nod in good-bye and headed down the hall. For a brief moment, I rather envied the cozy scene that awaited him: the children and Dolly all gathered around the warm hearth with a full staff waiting at the ready to supply their every desire. Then I turned away sharply. “Tommy?” I called out. “It is time for us to go.”
Chapter 10
Despite my exhaustion, my sleep that night was not as restful as I would have liked. I awoke several times, spurred by disjointed memories of both the previous night and my meeting with Mr. Dorian. As such, I woke much later than usual. When I was finally dressed and ready to face the day, I found Tommy cataloguing to our housekeeper all the various insects he had found on Corfu over the years.
Mrs. Ford was doing a decent job of feigning enthusiasm until Tommy mentioned earwigs. Then she shot me a panicked look.
“Good morning!” I trilled.
“Good morning, Mrs. Harper,” she said with a grateful smile. “Tommy has just finished a plate of creamed eggs, toast, and some fruit.”
“I ate all of my breakfast, Mama,” Tommy crowed as I sat down beside him.
“Yes, he did,” Mrs. Ford said. “And what can I get for you?”
“The same would be lovely. And a pot of tea. Thank you, Mrs. Ford.”
“Oh no. Thankyou,” she murmured with a wink and slipped out of the room.
I then turned to Tommy, prepared to listen to the all-too-familiar litany of creatures, but instead he surprised me: “May we go to the Natural History Museum today, Mama?”
