Page 14 of The Moonstone Pirate
Albert appeared tired, but agreed this was the right thing to do.
Deandra was curious and wanted to hear all the lurid details. Apparently, she was not at all irritated with Imogen for hiding the fact of the murder. “I would be sad if it were someone other than Lord Driscoll,” she confided, “but he was such an unpleasant man. Is it terrible of me not to mourn his loss? I have now attended my first ball and experienced my first murder! Wait until I tell my friends back in London. They will be quite jealous.”
Imogen frowned. “It is best not to gossip about it. Certainly say nothing until we know what is really going on.”
Deandra had the decency to look contrite. “Of course—I did not mean to sound indiscreet. I won’t say anything.”
“Good,” Henley remarked. “You certainly don’t want to give the impression you know more than you do, or else you might attract the interest of the murderer.”
Albert gasped.
So did Deandra. “I did not think of that.” She turned to her father. “Papa, we must not speak a word of this to anyone.”
He nodded. “I have no intention of it, child.”
Imogen felt rather bad about frightening the two Woodleys, but it was better for them to be scared and stay safe than have a killer on their trail. Same for her and the ladies seated with her. They were not going to say anything about this unpleasant incident.
Imogen shot out of her chair when Draco returned with Viscount Brennan and the constable about two hours later. The constable had brought along several of his men as well as one of the local doctors, Dr. Hewitt, who was well known and trusted by all who lived in the area. Draco remained behind while the others went to find Imogen’s uncle and the dukes who were still with the body.
“Did you catch up to Driscoll’s friends?” she asked.
Draco nodded. “They are at Fort Arundel now, given rooms in the barracks for the night… Well, what’s left of the night. It is almost dawn now. They’ll be kept under guard until we can properly question them.” He turned to his uncle. “Viscount Fionn Brennan happens to be the major in command of Fort Arundel, the local army fort. His soldiers will keep watch over Driscoll’s friends for now.”
“Why wait until morning to question them?” Chloe asked.
“We tried, but they aren’t talking yet. Perhaps once they have had the chance to sleep on it, they will open up about what really happened.” He turned to Imogen. “I’m sorry I snapped atyou earlier. We will investigate all possibilities, your suggestion included.”
“Thank you, Lord Woodley.”
He nodded as he addressed the other ladies. “I’ll fetch your husbands. You must all be exhausted and eager to return to your homes. The constables and the doctor will take over from here.”
“What about you, Draco?” Deandra asked, stopping him before he had the chance to leave the parlor.
“I’ll remain with the constables until the body is taken away. But you and your father ought to go up to bed now, Deandra. There’s no reason for all of us to be dead on our feet come morning.” He winced as he realized what he had just said. “Sorry, an ill-timed pun. You know what I mean.”
They all muttered their agreement.
“Would it be all right if Imogen spent the night with me?” Deandra pleaded. “She’s so brave, and I’m afraid to sleep alone.”
Phoebe stepped forward. “I have a better idea. Why don’t you and your father come to Westgate Hall with us? Sleep over for the next night or two while the investigation proceeds.”
Deandra clapped her hands. “An excellent idea.”
Albert appeared less than thrilled by the suggestion, but nodded. “Yes, we gladly accept. It will keep us out of Draco’s way while he seeks the killer.”
Draco readily agreed to it, too. “Thank you, Lady Burness. That eases my mind greatly.”
“And I hope you will join us for supper each evening, Lord Woodley,” Phoebe added.
He smiled. “I accept the generous offer, although I hope you do not expect me to discuss the progress of this investigation.”
Phoebe smiled back. “Wouldn’t dream of it. My husband will tell me all I need to know. We do not keep secrets from each other. In fact, we trust each other’s opinions and like to talk things out between us. You might do well to learn to trust others,particularly ladies. We tend to notice things that men do not. It cannot be overlooked that Imogen’s observations were quite insightful.”
Albert chuckled. “Draco, I believe you have just been given an elegant set-down.”
The earl was gracious enough to accept it with good humor. “Consider me duly chastened. However, I strongly believe you are safestnotknowing information that might draw the killer’s attention to you. And that goes double for Imogen. Lord Driscoll and his friends were already eyeing her throughout the ball. In fact, I am thinking of sending Parrot to Westgate Hall along with my uncle and Deandra. I will feel much better if he remains close to them, particularly to Imogen.”
Imogen blushed. “I’m sure it isn’t necessary now that those wastrels are in custody, but I don’t mind having Parrot with me if this is what you wish.”
