Page 85 of The Duke of Kisses
David sought to put her at ease. “Good evening, Mrs. Johnson. I’m sorry to disturb you. I wanted to ask you a few questions about my Aunt Catherine and the footman called Snowden.”
The woman’s eyes widened briefly. Her answer was slow and measured. “That was a long time ago.”
“Yes, but I’m hoping you’ll recall some details. As you can imagine, that event caused a great deal of distress for my family—and for the Snowdens. As it happens, I am to marry a Snowden in a few weeks.”
“Indeed? Well, that is happy news.”
“It doesn’t bother you that I am marrying someone from that family?”
She looked mildly horrified. “I wouldn’t presume to judge.”
“What I mean to ask is, do you harbor any ill will? Because of what happened?”
“I try to keep my nose out of the family’s business.”
He understood that. “Of course, but I would greatly appreciate your help in determining what actually happened. My family believes Snowden kidnapped my aunt. However, the Snowdens are certain the two were in love. Do you by chance know which was true?”
She exhaled and looked at the flickering candle she’d set on the shelf to her right. “I don’t.” She didn’t meet his gaze, and he wondered if she was telling the truth.
“Did you know Snowden? I’d like to have an idea of what sort of man he was. Arnold heard he was well liked.”
She shot him an uneasy glance. “He was, my lord. But I didn’t know him well. I was a young scullery maid back then. I just focused on my work, like I do now.”
“Mrs. Johnson, I am quite happy with your work, so you need have no worry that anything you say will affect your employment. If you can think of anything that might help me understand what happened with my aunt and Snowden, I’d be much appreciative. I want my new countess to feel welcome here.”
“Oh, she will be.” Mrs. Johnson looked at him now, and her gaze was fierce. “Snowden was a good man—to all of us anyway. To think that his relative will now be lady of the house would make him happy, I think.”
“Do you have any idea where he is?” David asked softly.
She looked down and shook her head sadly. When she lifted her gaze to his, he knew she was being honest. “I do not. But I hope that he’s happy. It’s so sad what happened to Lady Catherine.” Her voice had grown small.
Though she hadn’t said so, David was certain the woman had liked Snowden and believed that he and Aunt Catherine had wanted to be together—or that at least he hadn’t kidnapped her. Why would she want a kidnapper to be happy?
“Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. I do appreciate your honesty and recollection. If you think of anything else about that time, I’d love to hear it.”
She nodded. “Congratulations to you and your bride, my lord. We’ll cook up quite a celebratory feast.”
He smiled. “We shall look forward to it.”
He turned and left the larder and made his way through the kitchen on his way back upstairs. Though he was tempted to go to the stables and speak with Scully and the other groom, he was bone tired after the day’s travel. Tomorrow would come soon enough.
After he interviewed the others, he’d have to talk to Uncle Walter. David only hoped his uncle could understand. And forgive.
