“Then leave here as soon as the weekend party breaks up.”
“We could. I even asked Cordelia to go before the party, but she refused to.”
Lady Oxenbury nodded in approval. “She has the makings of a great hostess. You did better than I expected.”
Thomas paused. “Then, you didn’t expect me to marry Penelope?”
“I hoped you wouldn’t,” she said. “One’s first love rarely lasts, and it was obvious from the outset that her dowry would never be enough for this estate.”
“I never raised any expectations,” Thomas said slowly. “But my parents did. I don’t know how to politely…”
“Tell her to back off?”
“Yes,” he said. “I avoid her as often as I can, but when we are in company, her attention is—”
“Marked,” she said. “Is Cordelia aware of it?”
“Yes.” Like a fool, he’d told her himself.
“That is unfortunate, and since your mother is her guardian, it is difficult to find her a place elsewhere without causing the sort of gossip that I am sure you are trying to avoid.”
“That’s why I asked for your advice.”
“Your mother talked last night of visiting America with Miss Hutchinson,” she said. “I would send them on the next boat.”
“America?” Thomas said incredulously.
Lady Oxenbury gave a haughty smile. “Your mother wants to go to America because your wife assured her that there are no other countesses. I do not know if she plans to marry herself or Penelope off to a rich American man, possibly both.”
Thomas laughed but sobered. “My mother, Penelope, Cook, Mrs. Norton, and Thayne are the only people who could have shot at Cordelia besides Hibbert. They are the only people who live at the abbey and had access to the guns.”
“I don’t mean this unkindly, Thomas, but I doubt my sister-in-law has the brains or temperament for premeditated murder.”
“I don’t think it was my mother either,” he said softly. “Which makes me fear that even if Cordelia and I leave the abbey for London, we may be bringing the murderer with us. Our senior staff, of course, will be accompanying us.”
“Then your wife may still be in harm’s way.”
“Yes.”
His aunt took another drink from her glass. “If Cordelia died, what would happen to her money?”
“I received two million dollars as part of the marriage settlements. Her death would not benefit me at all.”
Lady Oxenbury’s eyebrows raised. “Then you must figure out who would benefit from it, Thomas.”
“I’ve been trying,” he said, and raked his fingers through his hair.
“Try harder.”
His uncle came up to them, and Thomas relinquished his seat to him. He looked around the tent, and the footmen were preparing to serve the food. The only seat left was between Penelope and Cordelia—Stuyvesant sat on her right.It is going to be a long luncheon, he thought as he sat down.A very long luncheon.
Once Thomas was seated, Thayne signaled the footmen to start serving the food. He was grateful for the distraction they gave. He stole a glance at Cordelia, but she was looking determinedly at her plate. He took a bite of the cold meat, but it was tasteless in his mouth.
“Are you going to shoot again after luncheon?” Penelope asked.
“Er, yes,” he said. “All the gentlemen are.”
“And the ladies will go inside and change our dresses in time for tea,” Cordelia said, an edge to her voice. “Then we will change our dresses again in time to eat dinner. It seems that all ladies do is eat and change their clothes.”
