Page 38 of Murder at Madame Chambon's
“Not willingly,” the photographer interjected.“But this Blackheath who is a murder suspect… Why, he and Miss Tarot—”
“Are you suggesting something inappropriate in the relationship between Blackheath and Miss Tarot?”Revulsion swept over William.“She danced with him, it is true.But other than that…” He trailed off, not sure what to think as McTavish and the photographer exchanged glances.“Besides, what concern is Miss Tarot’s conduct to you?I thought you said your wife was anxious to safeguard her happiness?”Anger was easier than dismay.These men were slandering his angel, and he had to take them to task.“What has Miss Tarot done that she should have such shabby treatment rained upon her?How dare you malign the woman I love?”
“Please, Lord Bellingham!”McTavish held up his hand for calm, though it appeared he was struggling for calm himself.“There was no intention of maligning anyone.“I merely am passing on concerns regarding Miss Tarot’s… background… that you may wish to factor into any decisions regarding your future in view of your… political aspirations.But, of course, any question regarding Miss Tarot is neither here nor there, as you correctly pointed out, since she can have had nothing to do with Lord Dunstable’s death, though it was suggested to me that since Miss Tarot was in both Lord Dunstable’s company, as well as Captain Blackheath’s, on several occasions in the days before Dunstable was murdered, Miss Tarot might have—” He reddened, took another swig of his brandy, then added, “mentioned to you something that could have a bearing on the matter.”
William rose, slamming his whisky onto the table.“Speak plainly, sir!Are you telling me Miss Tarot’s relationship with Captain Blackheath has been inappropriate, either now or in the past?Orareyou suggesting that Miss Tarot was involved in Dunstable’s murder?”
To his relief, both men shook their heads.
“Then, are you suggesting Miss Tarot is guilty of any wrongdoing, either now or in the past?”
Again, both men were quick to shake their heads.
“Then that is all I need to satisfy myself that Miss Tarot remains worthy to be my bride.If no slander can attach to her—which, it appears, it can not—then London will be hearing wedding bells to celebrate our nuptials in the coming weeks.”
With a decisive nod at both men, William rose.
He could hardly believe it when the photographer put himself between him and the door saying, urgently, “You’re a man with a career in politics ahead of him, and a man in love—I get that, m’lord.All we’re sayin’ is that wiv the information we’ve gleaned in the course of the police investigagin’ this case, you’d be wise to check Miss Tarot’s background.”
Evelina,Lady Bellingham.
That’s who she was going to be.
Evelina stared at herself in the mirror, frowning as she alternated between memories of William’s sweet kisses and her mother’s scowls.
Well, regardless of her mama’s unexpected opposition the previous night, and their terrible fight, nothing was going to stop Evelina from achieving her heart’s desire.
She’d gone to bed, seething with fury and uncertain what the new day would bring.
Apart from a tension headache, she’d been at her dressing table when Kitty had handed her a note.Believing it to be from William, she’d been dismayed to recognize her mother’s handwriting, but the few words had made her feel better.If not exactly an apology, they were enough to make her feel that her mother was not about to completely cut her off.Neither was her father.
“We were both not at our best last night, Evelina, and I regret some of what was said,” her mother had written.
“I do have one stipulation, however, and that is that you do not attend Lord Dunstable’s funeral.”
Kitty was as cheerful as ever as she twisted a curl and pinned it into place.“Is everything all right, miss?”she asked.“Lord Bellingham is still wantin’ to go walkin’ wiv yer?”
“He’s said nothing to the contrary,” replied Evelina.“And as my mama has not outright objected, then I shall go.”
Evelina was just glad her mama did not live under the same roof as she preened in front of the mirror.This was her favorite walking ensemble, and she remembered the excitement she’d felt when her French seamstress had consulted with her on colors, fabric and drapery, utilizing skirt tie-backs to achieve the long, slightly scandalous, fashionable lean silhouette.Kitty now helped Evelina fluff out her second petticoat, which went over her corset before Evelina stepped into the green check wool fan skirt trimmed with contrasting brown velvet.
“Why, miss, you look a sight for sore eyes,” Kitty marveled as she stepped back to admire her mistress.“If Lord Bellingham don’t go down on bended knee the moment he sees you walk into Hyde Park, I’ll eat me hat.Yer mama is goin’ to be right delighted when the pair of you make a match.”
Evelina’s smile disappeared.“Mama disapproves of Lord Bellingham.She says he’s only interested in my dowry.”
“Same as Lord Dunstable then?Nah, that can’t be right.”Kitty frowned.“I’m sure you’ve got it wrong.Madame… I mean, your mama wants only for you to marry a rich, handsome feller like Lord Bellingham.And he don’t need your dowry.Specially not if he loves yer.”
Evelina nodded energetically.“That’s what I told her,” she replied, pulling on her gloves.“I’m sure Mama will come round.She’s probably still sad about Lord Dunstable’s death, for I believe they’ve been acquainted for a long time.She’d not have been so keen on marriage between us if she hadn’t thought he’d make me a kind husband.”Evelina bit her lip.“And I do feel very guilty for not missing him like I should, but really, Kitty, I hardly knew him.Yet I feel like I’ve known William forever.”She smiled as she touched her heart before making for the door.“William and I have a connection that goes so much deeper than the things Mama cares about, like money and appearances.Why,” she declared in a burst of feeling as she patted her jaunty little green hat with its single egret feather, “I’d run away with him tomorrow and give up everything if it meant we could be together.”
Kitty nodded, “And I reckon he’d do the same, if you don’t mind me sayin’, miss.”
“Oh, not at all, Kitty.”Evelina smiled, happy beyond measure and glad to put last night’s unpleasantness behind her as she prepared to embrace a future with William while remaining in her mother’s good graces.
As satisfied as she was by her appearance, she was also satisfied by the admiration on William’s face when he saw her coming towards him, Lady Perry trailing a little behind her, though she was concerned by his gravity immediately afterwards.
“Is everything all right?”she asked, noting his frown as she tucked her hand into the crook of his arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world.But she barely attended to his answer, so busy was she imagining herself promenading with William every day when they were newlyweds.Then his words sank in and a frisson of alarm made her jerk her head around as she repeated, “You’ve been quizzed about Lord Dunstable’s murder?What wouldyouknow about that?”
“Nothing, of course,” he said quickly, his smile reassuring.“Certainly, I was nowhere near where it happened but I do know someone who was.The police have enquired as to whether…”
