Page 24 of Death at Fournier Downs
Her confused expression fled instantly, and she shook her head, certain. “She hardly left the manor, sir. There were no gentlemen visitors either.”
That did not necessarily mean the countess hadn’t taken up with a particularly handsome footman or stable hand employed on the premises. But he didn’t press the issue. He’d spied Sir in the kitchen, spooning up a bowl of porridge with gusto. The lad winked at Hugh when no one was looking, and he presumed he had successfully landed himself a position at the manor. He would gather up information and deliver it to Hugh within twenty-four hours.
“One last question, Miss Gates,” he said as the maid shifted her footing, restless.
“The countess’s fatigue, her lack of appetite, and weeping…might there have been a more personal reason for her symptoms? Something more delicate?”
The maid knew what he was asking. Her perceptive eyes glanced over his shoulder, toward the commotion in the kitchen. She lowered her voice as a blush tinged her cheeks. “She was no more than two months gone.”
Hugh nodded, understanding perfectly well. The countess had been with child.
He was willing to wager everything he possessed that it had played a role in her death.
ChapterNine
Audrey wanted to go into the woods in search of the stone cottage as soon as she arrived home from Low Heath. However, when Philip opened the front door instead of a footman, his expression stony, she’d resolved to wait until the next day.
“If you believe your appearance at the inquest will not make its way back to London…” he’d said once they’d been enclosed in his bedchamber. Graciously, he’d left the rest of his sentence unfinished. He’d certainly been about to call her a fool.
What with his own reputation in such a precarious state, and Cassie’s first Season to think about, Audrey knew London society was his primary concern these days. His sister’s happiness meant the world to him, and he wanted only the best, most advantageous match for her. Having a duke for an elder brother would all but ensure she found one, but the finer men of the ton would steer clear of even the largest of dowries if there was any unresolved scandal attached. And unfortunately, the men who would present themselves despite it might only view the dowry as prize enough, thinking little of Cassandra herself.
It had taken most of the evening to convince Philip that no harm had been done, however she wasn’t fond of lying and had, in the end, confessed to meeting with Hugh Marsden to inform him of some visions she’d had. Philip deplored that the Bow Street officer knew of Audrey’s ability—not to mention his own deepest secret. And when he’d finally worked it out of herwhereshe had met with Mr. Marsden, he’d been nearly apoplectic with rage.
“You put yourself in that blackguard’s bedchamber? Have you lost your mind?”
Audrey shushed him, knowing it was too late. The footmen in the corridor outside Philip’s bedroom had certainly heard.
“The cad could have taken liberties!” he’d hissed, heeding her advice to lower his voice.
“He would never! You do him a disservice suggesting that. Mr. Marsden is trustworthy. He is a gentleman.”
She had not divulged her own bewildering feelings for the man. They did not signify. Theycouldnot.
Philip had calmed eventually, and with reluctance, he related what the coroner found at the inquest, including that Charlotte’s body was again resting in their icehouse. The copper-domed structure, the interior of which comprised of three inner chambers and a center well stocked with blocks of ice, was embedded into a hillside a short walk from the kitchen entrance at Fournier House. Meats, dairy, root vegetables, and many more of the house’s food stores were kept there to maintain freshness. Audrey hated to think of Charlotte being treated as storage, but admitted it was necessary while the investigation continued. She then told Philip about the button she’d found and what it had shown her. At the mention of a stone cottage, Philip had frowned.
“An abandoned property on Bainbury’s land?” he’d suggested.
“Do you know of any closer by?” she asked, but he had not.
The following morning, Philip announced he was meeting with his steward to discuss the hiring of an engineer to implement an irrigation ditch on a nearby farm. He’d seemed to have forgotten all about the stone cottage, which suited her perfectly. She changed into a walking dress and sturdy boots, chose one of her muslin bonnets, and told Greer she was off for a ride.
She did not expect to see anyone on the path toward the section of wood that she, Philip, Hugh, and Cassie had traveled a few days before, but she soon came up behind Cassie, whose mount was walking at a leisurely pace.
“What are you doing out here?” Audrey called. Her sister-in-law gave a short scream and twisted in her saddle, her eyes large with fright.
Audrey apologized for giving her a scare, but also bit back a chuckle. “I did not think Fortuna and I stealthy enough to be able to sneak up behind you so quietly.”
Cassie breathed out and laughed at herself. “I suppose my mind was wandering, and I wasn’t paying much attention.”
“Are you going anywhere in particular?”
Cassie looked ahead and behind them on the path. “No, just out riding. What about you? What is your destination?”
Audrey recalled Hugh’s request that she not comb through the wood and parkland on her own. She didn’t truly want anyone’s company, but it would at least put the Bow Street officer at ease. And in return she would not need to endure more of his ire.
“I am looking for something,” Audrey said. “A stone cottage.”
Her sister-in-law’s eyes narrowed, and she frowned. “Whatever for?”
