Page 51 of A Slight Problem with the Wedding
Havers stepped forward to introduce his companion. “And this is Miss Hinch, one of my able assistants.”
Gory’s aunt refused to acknowledge the woman. “Get her out of my sight. I do not care who she is. Gregoria, you may follow that woman out.”
Julius looked ready to throttle her aunt, but Gory stopped him with a silent plea. It would not do to rile her before Havers had gotten his answers.
Rather than leave, Gory moved to the window to allow for a small measure of privacy while the inspector questioned her aunt. Julius followed her, placing a hand to the small of her back to silently reassure her of his support.
She smiled up at him and nodded.
He kept his hand lightly at her back, his touch quite gentle and utterly divine. “Do you wish to sit, Gory? You’ve been on your feet for a while now.”
“No, I’m all right.” She stared out the window. “This suite has a lovely view of the park.”
He nodded. “I thought your aunt would appreciate it more than a view of the crowded street.”
“You were generous with her, providing for an entire suite. I doubt she will ever thank you for it. She–”
Her aunt’s sudden screech interrupted their conversation. “I will not! How dare you! Get out, you base creature! How could you request such a thing!”
Gory turned in confusion toward Havers and her aunt, wondering what Havers had said to elicit such a response.
Julius immediately drew her closer, his protective instincts on alert as they watched her aunt leap up from her seat with her hands curled like claws and actually take a swipe at Havers. Fortunately, Havers had the foresight to take a quick step back so that her aunt struck nothing but air.
This only served to enrage her more.
She turned suddenly, her fury all on Gory now. “Did you know about this? Of course, you did, you vile creature.”
Julius nudged her slightly behind him as her aunt advanced, still hurling her insults. “This is the only reason you are here, is it not? To see me humiliated. But I shall have my revenge. I’ll see you hanged for what you did to your uncle.”
Her aunt had taken only a step or two before Havers once again diverted her attention. “Lady Easton,” he intoned in a voice that held commanding authority, “your threats will not work here. You may as well comply, for you shall be undressed by my matron.”
“I refuse!”
“Enough, Lady Easton,” Julius said calmly, but with no less authority as he nudged Gory securely behind him while he stepped forward. “How else is Mr. Havers to rule you out as a suspect?”
Her eyes widened. “A suspect? How is it possible when I was with my sister in Windsor and only returned to London after my husband’s murder? The impertinence! Who do you think you are? You have no right to speak to me in this highhanded manner. You are nothing more than a third son.”
“I have never pretended to be anything other,” Julius replied evenly. “However, allow me to point out that your situation is not what it once was. You have lost your status in the eyes of the ton now that your husband has passed on.”
“I am still Lady Easton! A countess while you are no better than a commoner, for all your pretentious airs.”
“Not the countess for long.” Julius spoke with an icy frankness that surprised Gory because she had never seen Julius appear other than mild-mannered. But he was seething now, and showing a bit of the steel determination he usually kept hidden beneath his veneer of calm. “If the new earl is married, you are merely the dowager countess, wholly dependent upon his largesse and that of his wife. Even if he is not yet married, you are still at his mercy because he controls the purse strings.”
“I will not be spoken to in this crude fashion!”
Julius eyed her coldly. “Nor will I, Lady Easton. Forgive my crassness in pointing out the obvious, but your fancy airs will get you nowhere. I understand you have received a great shock. However, you only draw more attention to yourself by refusing to cooperate with the magistrate’s man. Mr. Havers is his top investigator and will not be turned away, especially if you continue to behave as though you have something you wish to hide.”
Gory’s aunt turned her rage back on Havers. “Is this how a grieving widow is to be treated? Dare to lay a hand on me and you shall rue the day you were ever born!”
Havers called over Miss Hinch who dutifully approached. “Check Lady Easton’s maid first.”
“Aye, sir.”
The matron dragged a terrified Flossie into the adjoining bedchamber and shut the door. They heard a few screams, then all was quiet.
“She isn’t strangling the maid, is she?” Julius asked.
“No, my lord.” Havers stood with his arms casually draped across his chest, but Gory could see he was keenly observing her aunt. “It is not our habit to harm those we interrogate. Lady Easton, it will be your turn next. We can either attend to it in the respectful privacy of your finely appointed quarters or at the ladies prison. Your choice.”
