Page 19 of With Good Grace
‘How could they know you would call upon Margaret today, or that I would be with you if you did?’
Jake smiled at her. ‘They understand your character. You are more tender-hearted than any of them and they knew you would pass on Margaret’s request to me. They probably suggested that she make it. They also knew that curiosity would compel you to accompany me today.’
Olivia flashed a wry smile. ‘And we all know what curiosity did for the cat.’
‘But cats are survivors, as are you.’
‘Oh yes.’ Another protracted sigh. ‘I have, of necessity, perfected that art.’
‘Ah, there is Parker.’ Jake nodded towards his horses’ head. Parker was standing there, engaging the groom in conversation. ‘I wonder how he got on.’
‘What did you have him do?’
‘What he excels at.’ Jake treated her to a puerile grin. ‘A little snooping.’
Since it was impossible to ask Parker how he had fared with the groom still present, it would have to wait until they were back in London. Jake helped Olivia into the carriage, and Parker resumed his seat beside the driver as he gave his team the office. Olivia was not sorry to leave Grantley Hall behind them.
Back at Cheyne Walk, Olivia invited Parker to join her and Jake for tea whilst he related all he had seen and heard.
‘They are in a sorry way,’ Parker said.
‘We ascertained that much for ourselves,’ Jake replied impatiently. ‘Care to be more specific?’
‘There’s just the maid who let you in, a cook and another young gal who does a bit of everything. Oh, and the groom.’
‘That is a large house for so few staff,’ Olivia remarked.
‘Most of the rooms have been closed up,’ Parker told them.
‘What happened to Jute?’
‘The butler?’ Olivia nodded. ‘He found another position. He hadn’t been paid for two quarters and clearly saw which way the wind was blowing in that household.’
‘He was an experienced butler. I dare say he found it easy to get another position and I don’t blame him for seeking one.’
‘Sir Hubert’s valet and his wife’s maid have gone as well. The only reason the others stay if because they can’t get anything better and a roof over their heads, albeit a leaking one, is better than the workhouse. I get the impression that creditors are lining up to fight over the spoils. The cook told me everything of value has already been sold, apart from a few bits of Lady Grantley’s jewellery that she’s most reluctant to part with.’
‘How did matters degenerate so fast?’ Olivia mused.
‘Perhaps that was why Grantley and his wife virtually lived with you in Belgravia,’ Jake replied. ‘Much cheaper for them that way.’
‘Should I help them?’ Olivia looked to Jake for advice. ‘At least pay the boys’ school fees and sponsor Catherine’s come-out.’
‘They don’t deserve your compassion,’ Jake replied with a gentle smile. ‘But it does not surprise me that despite the way they treated you, your thoughts have turned in that direction. You have a good heart.’
‘The children have done nothing wrong. They do not deserve to have their futures blighted through no fault of their own.’
‘Only you can decide but before you give it serious thought, I would suggest concentrating our efforts upon finding Grantley. Unless he has met an untimely end then he cannot have disappeared into thin air. I sent a message to Henderson today, asking him to inform me if any unidentified bodies turn up.’ Jake waved a hand. ‘Sorry to be so blunt, Olivia, but we both know it is a possibility.’
‘Unless his body is in the Thames, in which case it may never be found or identified.’
Jake nodded, his expression grim. ‘True, but let us not think the worst just yet.’
‘Where do you want to start looking?’ It was Parker who replied.
‘I shall make enquiries at the Garrick Club tomorrow. See if anyone with the initials A.C. had an appointment with Grantley there on the day he disappeared. In the meantime, you and I, Olivia, ought to compare the initials in Grantley’s journal against his list of friends and the clients Barber inherited from your husband. I’ll bet half my fortune that this business is connected somehow to the theatre. Your husband was murdered because he interrupted a burglary that was being carried out when you were all supposed to be away for the evening. You said yourself that you returned early to your house because Miss Aspin tired of the party at the theatre, so no one other than the servants ought to have been there and they would have been in their own quarters at that time of night. Experienced burglars would have had no difficulty in gaining access. And now, two years later, Barber’s office has been ransacked and someone else has forfeited their life.’ Jake rubbed his chin. ‘I would give a great deal to know what is so valuable that a person would go to so much trouble to find it.’
‘I have racked my brains,’ Olivia replied. ‘I thought of little else whilst I was incarcerated. I knew Drake was making no effort to think of an alternative reason for Marcus’s death, other than that I had killed him. Of course, I did not know at the time that there had been burglars. They didn’t make much mess; almost as though they didn’t want anyone to know they had been there, whereas those who broke into Mr Barber’s office were not nearly so considerate. Even so, Jake, I must agree that the theatre is the key to it all.’
