Page 78 of The Mistletoe Countess
Brandon nodded and backed toward the door.
“Brandon, did the late Lord Astley or his wife, Celia, share breakfast together that morning?”
He paused, his attention moving back to Grace. “No, ma’am. The lady in question left hours before breakfast and in quite an emotional state.”
“Hours before? Emotional?” Frederick stood, nearing the butler. Why hadn’t he asked about these things before now? “Did she give a reason?”
“She was nigh inconsolable, sir. She said Lord Astley, your brother, had cast her out.”
“So she wasn’t here when he died.” Frederick directed his statement more to Grace than Brandon. “Thank you, Brandon.”
The butler left the room, and Grace looked up at Frederick, a plan of fictional proportions sparkling behind those eyes.
“What are you thinking?”
“Oh, nothing of consequence, really.” She smiled and braided her hands behind her back. “It’s curious that the very day Celia leaves is the day your brother dies and you suddenly arrive. It’s all too well scripted.” One of her ginger brows peaked. “And now with your brother’s letter? What if she knew he was trying to bring her to justice for some past crime? Or he intended to change his will? What if—”
“You’ve been reading too much Sherlock, darling. She wasn’t here when he died, and what sort of past crime could Celia have done?” Father’s face flashed to mind and paused Frederick’s thoughts.
“Just because she wasn’t here doesn’t mean she couldn’t have killed him. There are many ways to kill a person before they actually die.”
He stared at her profile a bit disconcerted in the fact that she even contemplated how to kill someone, let alone knew various ways to do so. He shifted his attention to the nice, predictable telegram. “This might provide some answers. Mr. Parks has agreed to meet with me tomorrow in London.”
“London? Tomorrow?” She moved to his side, taking the telegram. “Well that’s all very sudden.”
“I’m afraid he’s away to France again the following week. If I plan to speak with him sooner rather than later, tomorrow it is. I need to meet with my solicitors at any rate.”
“I’ll have Ellie…um…Miss Moore pack my things at once.”
“But you have tea with my sister on Saturday.” He studied her upturned face. “I won’t be back from London by then.”
“Oh yes, that’s right. Would she be terribly disappointed if I cancel?”
“She’s been looking forward to meeting you since our arrival.” He groaned. “And the workmen arrive in the morning for directions regarding the lavatories.”
“I can see to them, Frederick! I know I can.” She grabbed his arm. “I’ll be here anyway, and I helped Father in his designs for Rutledge House. Besides, I’ve read a few books about fixtures and pipes.”
“Of course you have.” He rolled his eyes to the heavens with his grin spreading to a laugh. “What have you not read about, darling?
“Rodents.” Her nose crinkled in a frown. “Or drains. I’ve not really discovered much about drains.”
“Then I’ll not expect you to perform the duties of a plumber as well as wife, sleuth, and renovator.” He chuckled and slipped his arm around her waist, drawing her close to place a kiss against her head. “Now I must prepare for my journey.”
“I shall miss you terribly.”
The slightest pucker of her forehead urged him near again. “You’ll have free rein of the house without my distraction to devise how to reinvent these rooms.”
“But I have a particular fondness for your kind of distraction.”
He tapped the box beneath her arm. “You can spend time with my grandparents’ letters.”
Her lips tilted into a smile, despite her evident hesitancy to release it. “I suppose I could get to know the staff better while you’re gone and collect some ideas for the gardens. And do a bit more investigating of my own.”
He hoped not. “And you’ll have the library with all your friends safely housed for your pleasure.”
She rocked up on tiptoe and left a lingering kiss against his jaw. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d smiled so much. Had he ever?
His palm slid down her back, pinning her against him. He lowered his lips to almost touch hers, reveling in the catch of her breath as he closed in. Of course, they still had the afternoon to enjoy a lengthy goodbye.
