Page 7 of The Hazardous Measure of Love
‘I feel a family tree coming on,’ I muttered, trying to make sense of what I knew of the Prescott clan.
‘We will set up the boards once the officials have gone,’ Luc said. When Adrien looked puzzled, he explained. ‘We find that when we are dealing with a crime it is helpful to create boards to which we pin information in an orderly manner: witnesses, suspects, the timetable of events, that kind of thing.’
‘Yes, I see. That must be helpful in bringing order.’ The sudden flare of interest flickered, then was gone again and the worry was back.
I suddenly remembered something completely obvious that we had forgotten to ask. ‘What about enemies? We have heard about the footman who was dismissed, but your cousin was in public life. Was there anyone?’
‘No.’ Adrien shook his head. ‘He could be dogmatic about his opinions, but he never allowed himself to be involved in acrimonious disputes. Not while I have been with him, anyway.’
‘What about his private life?’ I persisted. ‘No enemies at all? No arguments or disputes?’
Adrien looked oddly uncomfortable. ‘Only – No, it could not have been that.’
‘What? Out with it,’ Luc ordered.
‘There was someone who visited last week. An, um,irregularconnection of the family.’
‘You mean someone’s illegitimate child?’
He shot me a harassed glance and blushed.
‘Oh, for goodness sake, Adrien! You ought to know by now that I am not some mealy-mouthed female.’
‘Yes, he was that,’ he admitted. ‘But Cousin Henry knew about him and he was only sorting out the paperwork, as it were. There was a legacy involved.’
‘Whose child?’ I asked.
‘I don’t know. My cousin was very disapproving of that kind of thing, so he did not tell me any details. In fact I only heard about it through servants’ gossip. I mentioned it to Cousin Henry on Saturday, I think it was, and he brushed my concerns aside. He said that the matter was in hand and that the person was irritated by his meticulous approach and had become rather heated.’
‘How did the Viscount react to that?’
‘Oh, he was very calm about it.’
‘You didn’t think to mention this before?’ Luc demanded.
‘Why no. I had quite forgotten it because I had asked my cousin whether the man had uttered threats and should be refused admission if he called again, and he said there was absolutely nothing to worry about and he had the matter perfectly in hand and the, er, claimant, knew he would get his legacy in due course.’
I could see that Luc was not entirely satisfied, but I couldn’t see why an illegitimate twig from the family tree should want to murder the man who was sorting out his inheritance for him.
‘I must speak to my father as soon as possible,’ Adrien said, back to looking merely harassed.
‘Who inherits the title?’ Luc asked bluntly. ‘It is not your father, is it?’
‘No.’ Adrien seemed to find that a relief and, I suppose, it certainly removed a strong motive. ‘My Uncle Frederick. He is not –’
‘What?’ I asked when he fell silent.
‘Er – I can hear the doctor.’ Adrien opened the door and retreated into the hall.
Luc raised an eyebrow. ‘That young man has one of the most transparent faces I have ever encountered. He is going to have to learn to dissemble if he wants a political career. I wonder what it is about Uncle Frederick that causes him such unease.’
‘You don’t know the family well?’
He shook his head. ‘The old Viscount, the father of Tillingham, and Adrien’s eldest uncle, was very active in politics, I believe. None of his other sons showed any interest and seemed to prefer country life, but Henry – ’ He jerked his head towards the study, ‘– He took after the old man. I don’t think I have ever encountered any of the others. I’m surprised to hear that one of them was at a Palace function, frankly.’
‘Adrien said,They all were,so I supposeother family members are in Town.’ Luc nodded, but I was not certain he was actually listening to me. ‘Do you suspect Adrien?’ I asked bluntly and saw from his reaction that must have been what he was brooding about.
‘No,’ Luc said, and smiled as he paused with his hand on the door. ‘For a moment, I wondered, because he is a relative and there is a title and presumably lands and money in play now, but unless my judgment is wildly astray, I simply cannot see him throwing away this position. He needs employment and a situation where he can make contacts and advance himself if he is to marry Miss McNeil.’
