Page 45 of A Slight Problem with the Wedding
“But unlikely.” She pursed her lips, a thing she did whenever thinking of something unpleasant. “He seems to trust you. Perhaps he thinks Allendale and I were the ones who colluded, and that I had him hit me over the head just to draw suspicion away from me.”
“No, that blow was strong enough to kill you.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Nothing says my accomplice has to have a brain. He might not have realized his own strength.”
Julius sighed. “Have you seen enough? Can we go now? I feel my breakfast about to lurch into my throat.”
“Oh, yes. Give me a moment to wash up. I’m so sorry you had to see this.”
“Me? You are the delicate female here.” He cast her a smile. “Come on, love. Let’s head to the Easton townhouse. I’m hoping Mr. Barrow or Havers will be there to fill us in on what else they have learned.”
She washed her hands thoroughly with the lye soap that was in a dish on a sideboard, then dried them off using a clean hand cloth plucked from among a pile beside the soap. “I’m ready.”
“Good.”
They climbed back in his carriage, once more making their way through the crowded London streets. Carts and pedestrians darted in all directions, slowing the horses to a walk. Still, Julius reminded Hastings to take extra care because he did not want Gory to be jounced too badly. The Thorne conveyance had elegant seats of the finest, soft leather and an undercarriage that was well sprung and sturdy.
However, Gory was a lot more fragile than she would ever admit.
Julius breathed a sigh of relief when they finally drew up in front of her former home.
“Good morning, my lord. Lady Gregoria.” Mr. Barrow hurried forward to greet them, and walked them inside after Julius had helped Gory down. “I was planning to stop by to see you next. Upon my honor, I did not expect you to be out of bed yet, m’lady. How are you feeling?”
She cast the Bow Street runner a warm smile. “Much better, only the slightest throbbing in my head. Hardly noticeable.”
“Do not believe her, Mr. Barrow,” Julius countered. “She only admits to a headache, but everything hurts. Her stubborn facade is in place, but she cannot hide her discomfort from me. Keep alert, for she may faint in front of us.”
That earned him a frown from Gory. “I will kick you if you repeat that nonsense to anyone else.”
She frowned at him once more for good measure before returning her attention to Mr. Barrow. “What else have you learned?”
They moved out of the hallway and into her uncle’s study where the murder had taken place. Julius had suggested they sit in the parlor instead, but Gory shot that idea down fast. “We are here to see this very room, so why not talk in here while I have a look around?”
The study appeared to have remained untouched except for the removal of Lord Easton’s body that was now laid out in the morgue. Gory repeated the question she had asked Mr. Barrow moments earlier. “Anything new to report?”
“No, m’lady.” He shook his head. “Nothing yet, but we have only begun to dig around. Sometimes these things take more time than we would like. I expect to have more information by tomorrow. That’s when my man returns from Windsor.”
“With a report on Lady Easton’s whereabouts and her movements on the day of the murder?” Gory asked.
“Yes, m’lady. And perhaps something of interest from the public coach passenger lists. I have my man working on those, too.”
She nodded. “And Lord Allendale? What have you discovered about his activities on the night of the murder?”
“Nothing on him yet, either. But we shall continue to dig.” He turned to Julius. “You will be pleased to hear that you have been ruled out by Mr. Havers. Your friends and the stewards at your club confirmed you were there playing cards all evening.”
Gory cast him a fragile smile. “I’m glad Havers can trust you now. That ought to be very helpful. But I remain a suspect.” She turned to Mr. Barrow. “Don’t I?”
The Bow Street runner frowned. “Aye, m’lady. For now. I’m sure he will rule you out shortly.”
Gory shook her head. “I do not see how he can when I was clearly at the scene. But I think all suspects must be brought in and checked for scratches. Do you know if the inspector has done this yet? He must attend to it right away. It is most important. I looked upon my uncle’s body this morning and it is obvious he attempted to fight back. Havers must check for scratches on every suspect. Their face most obviously. But also on the neck, hands, arms, and throat. The assailant had to be tall and strong for he had one hand on my uncle’s throat like this.”
She reached up and held her hand to Julius’s throat. “And then he used his free hand to plunge the blade into my uncle’s heart. There was telltale bruising along my uncle’s throat that only an imbecile could overlook. I do not know of any ladies big enough or strong enough to manage to grab their victim like this and also manage to stick a knife in him,” she said, her hand still gently held against Julius’s throat as she repeated the gesture of a knife being jabbed into his heart.
“See, I am not tiny. But neither am I all that tall. Lord Thorne had to bend down to allow me a good hold on his throat. I doubt my uncle would have been so accommodating to his attacker.”
“That is most elucidating, Lady Gregoria,” Havers said, now walking into her uncle’s study where they were standing beside the very spot of his murder. “Hopefully, you will not find me to be a complete imbecile.”
She stuck her chin into the air. “That has yet to be proven, Mr. Havers. Since you heard my comments, will you do as I ask? Everyone needs to be checked for scratches as soon as possible.”
