Page 135 of Murder at Donwell Abbey
“Indeed,” said their father. “Although I do hope Isabella and the children did not catch cold on the trip. Carriages can be so drafty.”
“George saw to everything,” Isabella said. “We had blankets and hot bricks all the way down.”
“Yes, we were quite snug,” George dryly replied. “All seven of us.”
Emma tried not to laugh. Wedged into a carriage with a passel of lively children—one of them a squirmy baby—was hardly the ticket for comfortable travel.
She took a seat as Isabella poured her a cup of tea. “Will John be joining us at some point?”
“I’m afraid he’s terribly busy at the moment. In fact, it was he who suggested we return to Highbury. He knew I felt quite dreadful about leaving you and Father in the midst of such an uproar, and he thought you could use my support.”
“That was very kind of him.”
And most unlike her brother-in-law, who hated being separated from his wife and children.
“As long as you’re not too worried about the, er, problems we’ve been experiencing in Highbury,” Emma added.
Isabella shrugged. “Both John and George assured me that both Hartfield and Donwell were perfectly safe, and that I was not to worry about any of it.”
When Emma lifted an eyebrow at her husband, he also shrugged. “Despite our recent difficulties, I do think Highbury is safe. And since you could use Isabella’s support right now, the suggestion made a great deal of sense.”
They might just change their minds about that after Emma filled him in on the events of the last few days.
“We must not look a gift horse in the mouth, Emma,” Father said. “We should be very grateful for Isabella’s visit. The children will benefit as well, as the country is always better than the city.”
Emma smiled. “Of course I’m grateful. You must stay as long as you wish, Isabella.”
“I wish you could stay forever,” Father wistfully said.
“I think Miss Bates might have something to say about that,” Emma wryly replied. “Now, isn’t it time for your afternoon nap, Father? Don’t forget the Bates ladies and the Westons are coming for dinner. You’ll want to be properly rested.”
“Dear me, I forgot all about that in the excitement of George and Isabella’s arrival.”
“I’ll go up with you, Father,” said Isabella. “I want to check on the children and then take a rest myself.”
“Very wise, my dear. Travel is so fatiguing. Perhaps we should have Perry in to look you and the children over, just to be safe. A restorative tonic might be in order.”
As they left the room, arm in arm, Father and Isabella debated the merits of restorative tonics versus calming draughts.
Emma turned back to her husband. “I cannot believe John encouraged Isabella to return here without him. Are you sure all is well?”
“It seems to be. I will say that John is quite harried with work, poor fellow, and this business with Larkins has added to it.”
“I’m sorry to hear it. I hope, however, you were able to make some progress.”
“We were. On John’s advice, I hired a barrister with an excellent reputation in criminal defense. Unfortunately, his initial opinion is that the case against Larkins is strong.”
“Drat. That’s not good.”
“John and I did contact a Bow Street Runner, though. A Mr. Phelps has taken the case, and will focus on tracking down the smuggling gang.”
“That, at least, is excellent news.” She placed a large piece of walnut cake on a plate and handed it to him. “If we can untangle that knot, we should be able to clear Larkins of both charges.”
“Remember, we don’t as yet have any clear evidence that the smugglers were behind Prudence’s death.”
She eyed him with exasperation. “Then the only reasonable conclusion would be that Larkins is guilty of both crimes. Either that or two separate criminals would be trying to frame him.”
George took a bite of cake before answering. “Not necessarily. He could be cleared of the charge of smuggling but still be in possession of contraband goods. As we’ve seen, it’s not uncommon for otherwise law-abiding citizens to buy from smugglers. The Crown could easily make the case that the bloody mobcap—and the fact that Larkins harbored feelings for Prudence—are separate and apart from the presence of the contraband tobacco.”
