“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine. I’ll be fine.” She flattened her mouth and her posture turned rigid, as though she’d just dressed her body in armor.
Realizing he probably wouldn’t get any more information from her, Peter thanked her for her time and went to the door. He found Moorland’s butler waiting on the opposite side together with Wrengate, who wore the kind of murderous expression no doubt intended to bend other men to his will.
Peter ignored it and told the butler, “Lady Edwina and her brother are free to leave if they wish to. Please attend to them before showing the next person in.”
It was nearly four in the morning before Kendrick told the remaining guests they could leave. He’d spent the last twenty minutes or so taking everyone’s name. Adrian already knew he meant to cross-reference these with the guest list the Moorlands had prepared for the evening.
Beyond this, there were the servants. All had been accounted for, including the maid Samantha had taken note of. According to Kendrick, the other servants were quick to praise Miss Sally Jones as a gentle soul who was both hardworking and kind. When Kendrick had mentioned someone remarking that Miss Jones had looked angry, the woman had told him that she’d been upset by the way in which the Earl of Elmhurst had spoken to one of the footmen.
The conversation to which she referred had since been confirmed, effectively removing her as a potential suspect.
As for Mrs. Goore, the housekeeper, she insisted she’d done what she could to prevent guests from venturing into restricted parts of the home. This had included locking doors and setting up privacy screens. Earlier in the day one such screen had been placed at the end of the hallway that opened toward the sunroom. In the past, this had been enough. But not tonight. That particular screen had since been found in a nearby supply closet. Fashioned from silk panels set in wood frames, it was light enough that anyone could move it with ease.
Adrian crossed to Kendrick, who stood in conversation with Jackson. The pair noticed his approach and fell silent with Jackson breaking away before Adrian reached the chief constable.
“Have you acquired any pertinent details from your remaining interviews?” Adrian asked.
“Possibly.” Kendrick crossed his arms. “I’m hoping the body will offer up more.”
The chief constable had chosen to leave this part of his investigation for last. As he’d pointed out after taking a quick look at the body, Keith Orwell could wait while the guests would be anxious to leave. So he’d prioritized the interviews and would now commence a more detailed study of the crime scene itself.
“Mrs. Croft is tired so it’s my intention to send her home,” Adrian said. “But after that I’d like to join you, if you’ll allow it.”
Kendrick’s light blue gaze was as sharp as ever. Focused. As though the man had no need of rest any time soon. He gave a curt nod. “Fine. Provided you share every detail that draws your attention.”
“Of course,” Adrian agreed. “When have I ever failed to do so?”
Kendrick raised an eyebrow and turned on his heel. “I’ll meet you in the conservatory when you’re ready.”
Adrian went to find Samantha. During the last few hours, she’d moved from the chair by the door Edward had guarded, to a more comfortable sofa in the gaming room. Lady Moorland was with her, the pair quietly chatting until they noticed Adrian.
“I’ll just have a word with my husband,” Lady Moorland said. “Should you leave before I return, I’d like you both to know that you have our sincerest thanks for the help you offered this evening.”
She added a soft smile and then she was gone, the bombazine skirts of her ballgown swishing across the floor as she slipped through the door.
Adrian dropped to the now-vacant spot beside Samantha and took her hand. Their eyes met when she turned, alerting him to how difficult this evening’s events had been for her.
“You look tired,” he said.
She answered with a soft smile. “It has been a very long day.”
Her body leaned closer to where he sat, until she was able to rest her head on his shoulder. “I’m sending you home so you can sleep,” he said.
“You’re not coming with me?” Her question preceded a loud yawn.
Adrian swallowed his chuckle and wrapped one arm around her shoulders, moving so he could drop a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m staying to find out everything Kendrick has learned, if I’m able. In return, I’ll offer whatever help I can.”
“A new case, a new deal.” Her words were a sleepy slur.
Not answering, he stroked her shoulder. There was no sense in pointing out that the deal was struck half a year before when Adrian had been indebted to Kendrick. A thought that made him wonder when he’d be done repaying the man.
Maybe after you’ve saved his life in return.
He gave Samantha a gentle nudge. “Come on. I’ll see you off.”
They collected her cloak which was wrapped around her to ward off the frigid air. Adrian escorted her down the front steps of Moorland House to where the carriage waited. Murry, whom Adrian had sent for earlier, opened the door and Adrian handed Samantha into the cabin.
