Page 31 of Murder in Matrimony
“No.” Amelia picked up her fork and poked at her scone with serious effort. “Might a woman not be hungry?”
“A woman, yes.” Tabitha glanced up from her freshly poured tea. “You, no.”
Amelia took a bite and regretted it. She washed the scone down with a sip of tea and changed the subject. Now was as good a time as any to quiz Tabitha on the card she found in her study. “Have you heard from Lady Sutherland lately? How has she been?”
Tabitha stared at her with interested blue eyes. “Lady Sutherland?”
“After her help with Madge, I never had the opportunity to inquire.”
“She was a good deal of help.” Tabitha added sugar to her tea. “If not for her, I would have never known about Collings’s hatred for our dear Edgar.”
“We owe Lady Sutherland our eternal gratitude for the information.” Amelia meant every word, and her chin tipped with earnestness as she said them. When Madge was being investigated after the death of Mr. Radcliffe, Lady Sutherland talked to a person at Scotland Yard who told her a great deal about the vindictive Detective Collings. Collings had been in the Royal Navy with Edgar before taking a position with Scotland Yard, and they both applied for a promotion. Edgar received the commendation, and Collings was convinced he did so because of his family’s title, but it wasn’t the case. At the time, Edgar’s older brother was alive and was in line to inherit the earldom. Edgar never planned on being anything but a retired seaman from the Royal Navy. Collings eventually quit and took up a government position at Scotland Yard. When the Amesburys’ ballroom was the site of a murder, he saw his chance to enact revenge, attempting to involve Madge in the process.
But Tabitha and Amelia had put a stop to his plans. Amelia wished there was some way to put a stop to his career. “Collings was a menace to us and greater society. He should not be under the employ of Scotland Yard, in my opinion.”
“Mine as well.” Tabitha stirred her tea gently, as she had taught Amelia to do, without disturbing the teacup. “Which is why I spoke to his superior.”
Amelia sat up straighter. “Who?”
“Thomas Huxbey, Superintendent of Scotland Yard.”
Ah!
“I met him in person last week.” Tabitha put down her spoon. “An admirable man, my age and not a day younger. Smart and, if I may say, in ridiculously good health. Doesn’t look a day over sixty.”
“Good health, hmm?” Amelia felt the corners of her mouth flick upward. She’d never heard Tabitha compliment a man in the two-plus years they’d lived together. Something about theway Tabitha revealed the detail told Amelia her aunt admired him exceedingly.
Tabitha lowered her lids enough to indicate her impatience. “If I may continue … he promised me that Collings would be dealt with, and a man such as he does not go back on his word.”
“Do you mean Collings will be released from his position at Scotland Yard?”
“I mean exactly that.” Tabitha sipped her tea.
“Gracious.” Amelia was glad to see him go. Furthermore, she was glad Aunt Tabitha had a reason for having the superintendent’s card in her desk drawer. She was not A Concerned Citizen, not that Amelia really thought she ever was. Still, Amelia could move on to her next suspect with confidence.
“If my suspicions are correct, and they usually are, our spiteful Detective Collings has left the force already,” said Tabitha. “Just in time for the arrival of your relatives.”
Amelia smiled despite her upset stomach.
“Do you know I’ve had a letter from one of your aunts?”
Amelia closed her eyes briefly, shaking her head.
“It is from Henrietta, but ‘please call me Hen.’” Tabitha put her teacup down with a plunk. “As if she doesn’t have a last name at all. Hen requires a carriage for her and her four sons, whom she describes as strapping. She understands cousins haven’t been invited, but since her husband cannot attend, she’d like to be allowed an exception.Fourmen instead of one.”
“I’m sorry, Tabitha. Hen is a lovely woman. Fertile, but lovely.” Amelia tried to don a serious face, but it was impossible. “I can find a cab for her and the boys if you’d like.”
“A cab is the least of my problems. Forty-five, Amelia. Forty-five.” She emphasized the number. “That is the current head count for the wedding breakfast. I’m going to have to order more mutton—unless their eating habits resemble yours this afternoon.”
Amelia looked down at her still-full plate. After hearing about her family and enjoying a chuckle, she felt a little of her appetite return. She tried another bite of her scone, knowing full well that her family and extended family were big eaters,drinkers, and talkers. They enjoyed gathering, and when a gathering included food—which it usually did—the festivities seemed to go on for hours. In fact, Amelia remembered a time when her cousins stayed so long that her mother made breakfast for them before they left.
“I’m afraid they all enjoy food a good deal.” Amelia reached for the jam. “I would go ahead and order an extra joint of mutton after all.”
FOURTEEN
Dear Lady Agony,
I cannot get a single flower to bloom in our dreadful weather. Please recommend one that will not succumb to disease, drought, or my lack of gardening skills. Any advice will be appreciated.
