“No, sir. He never mentioned that he was next in line. We heard that rumor from one o’ the housemaids. But we all assumed he gave us the monies to tide us over while the will and whatnot is worked out.”
Mark pressed his lips together. “Thank you, Mrs. Whately. That will be all. Will you please send Matthew next?” Mark pulled open the desk drawer, retrieved a coin purse, opened it and tossed the cook a pound. “Thank you for your help.”
The cook grasped the coin and smiled. Her face was full of relief as she scrambled out of the chair and rushed out the door. “Ye’re welcome, sir. Ye’re quite welcome.”
A few minutes later, Matthew poked his head through the door. The young man was in his early twenties with dark hair and eyes. He held his hat in his hand.
Mark began questioning him the same way, confirming that he’d been there the night John had died. “Did you serve the wine?” he asked.
“No, sir,” the footman replied. “Timothy served it, sir.”
“You’re certain?” Mark narrowed his eyes on the servant.
Matthew tugged at his collar. “Yes, sir. I… I saw him sipping a small glass of it before he brought it upstairs.”
“You’re certain of that?” Mark narrowed his eyes further.
“Yes, sir.” The servant tugged at his collar more. “It’s… it’s something Timothy does most nights, I’m afraid. Though he’s an excellent footman, sir. Truly.”
Interesting. Both Mrs. Whately and Matthew seemed eager to defend Timothy despite his penchant for nibbing the wine. He was obviously their friend. Most importantly, if Timothy had been drinking the wine, it stood to reason that neither the cook nor the other footman would have poisoned it. They’d have known their friend would drink it. It ruled Timothy out as a suspect as well. Unless he poisoned the wine after he drank it and before he’d taken it into the dining room. It seemed unlikely, but his discussion with Timothy might uncover the truth.
“What did you think of Lord John?” Mark asked Matthew next.
The servant’s face crinkled into a smile. “Aw, he was a good man, sir. The very best. Not a cross word out o’ him ever.”
Mark considered that for a moment. “Where were you when you saw Timothy drink the wine?”
Matthew’s cheeks reddened.
“What is it?” Mark asked, leaning forward in his seat.
“I was in the kitchen, sir.” He paused and took a deep breath. “And in the corridor just outside the dining room.”
“Pardon?” Mark frowned.
“Timothy likes ta sneak a sip below stairsandjust before he takes it into the dining room, he sneaks another. He took his own cup upstairs for that purpose.”
Mark leaned back and raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
“Yes, sir,” Matthew replied, nervously glancing around the room. “Please don’t tell Mr. Cartwright, sir. Timothy may sneak a sip o’ wine now and then, but he needs his position. He takes care o’ his sick mother and young sister. If he got tossed out on his ear, ain’t no telling what would happen to his family, sir.”
Mark nodded. “Don’t worry. I have no intention of telling Mr. Cartwright, but speaking of him, did he say anything to you?”
“He gave us one pound each, sir,” the footman replied. “Me, Cook, Tim, and the maids. I think he gave the butler and housekeeper a bit more, sir, but ye’d have to ask them.”
Mark inclined his head. “Did he say why he gave you the money?”
“No, sir,” Matthew replied. “But one of the maids said she heard one o’ the ladies wot visited that evening say Mr. Cartwright was the duke’s heir after Lord John, sir. We assumed he’s ta be our new master.”
“I see.” Mark pulled another coin from his purse and tossed it to Matthew. “Thank you for your help.”
Matthew gave him a gap-toothed smile and headed toward the door. “Should I send Timothy?”
“Please,” Mark answered.
Timothy’s story was much like the others’. He also informed Mark that Mr. Cartwright had given him money without mentioning he would be the new marquess. When Mark asked the footman what he thought of Lord John, Timothy replied, “Oh, he was the best, sir. The very best. He knew me penchant for drinking and he never tossed me out, sir. Even gave me a bit o’ a nip here and there.”
“Did he?” Mark raised his brows and bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. Seems his cousin had been beloved by his servants. It made Mark feel guiltier for never knowing him.
