Page 38 of To Heal a Broken Earl
“Oh! Is that what you think? I’ll have you know they also mean grace and strength—two things that I have in abundance,” Aunt Chippie returned.
“There’s quite a history between these two,” Michael overheard Celia whisper to Emma as the two dowagers traded insults. “They were friends once, but they became bitter rivals after their come-out. Lord Arthur Beadle did send flowers to both, as well as several other young ladies. Ultimately, it was my aunt whom he pursued. Other young men were competing for their affections, yet it was Uncle Arthur who captured my aunt’s heart.”
“But they are both widows and could use each other’s friendship,” Emma whispered back.
“Yes. Once, they were the best of friends…since leading strings, I understand,” Celia said.
“Perhaps they could be friends once again?” Emma suggested.
“Perhaps we should get started,” Wright and Michael said at the same time. Then they looked at each other with brows raised.
Lord Armstrong cleared his throat. “Lady Chipperly and Lady Beadle—perhaps we should let Mr. Burns begin with his sketch. It could help us in our investigation, which I think we should all keep in mind.”
~*~
“Katie, are you ready to get started?” Emma asked her niece in a gentle voice.
Katie nodded. “I am, Auntie. But is it all right if Finn is with me, too?”
As she asked, Finn trotted into the drawing room and lay down on the floor at her feet.
Michael’s lips twitched at Finn’s show of loyalty and support to the little girl. There was no doubt the dog was crazy about Katie. “You can stay, Finn, if you promise to behave.”
“Woof!” the dog agreed.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Katie,” Burns said, smiling at the child. “That’s a pretty name. Is it short for something?”
Katie was quiet.
“That’s a very nice doll,” he continued, trying again. “What’s her name?”
Katie looked at her doll’s face and kissed her on the nose. “This is Polly. And she’s a very good dolly.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Polly. Would it be all right if I asked for your help?”
Katie held Polly up to her ear and then nodded solemnly. “Polly said she would like to help.”
“Thank you, Polly,” Burns said in a gentle voice. “Polly, do you recall seeing a stranger the night of that fire at your house?”
Katie held Polly up again to her ear, then she turned and whispered in the doll’s ear. “Polly said she remembers seeing a man in the yard. Someone she had never seen before. We call him the bad man.”
“I see,” Burns said. “Can you ask Polly if she remembers what color the bad man’s hair was?”
Katie consulted the doll once more and then said, “It was dark.”
“Thank you. And was his hair curly or straight?” Burns asked.
“Polly said curly.”
“Very good. And can you ask Polly if he had big, round eyes or small, beady eyes?”
Once again, Katie answered on behalf of her doll.
Michael was impressed by the artist’s thoughtful approach with Katie. He continued to ask simple questions about each feature, and Katie continued to answer on behalf of Polly.
It took almost an hour of gentle patience, but Burns finally completed the sketch.
Emma asked Katie if she would like to visit Mrs. Peppers in the kitchen for a treat. Katie nodded and smiled, hugging Polly close to her.
