Page 60 of One Perfect Dance
She had to go ahead, of course. She was not concerned with the servants hired on for the evening, the performers, the chefs, and other suppliers. As long as they were paid in full, they would probably quite enjoy the night off.
However, it would be appalling manners to send cancellations to everyone who had accepted an invitation. Only a family bereavement would be an acceptable excuse, and they had all (praise be) survived.
She was also aware she was being ridiculous. It was, after all, only one night. There would be other balls. Elijah was courting her. He had kissed her. His eyes, when he looked at her, spoke of love. That was what truly mattered.
But she still wished she could ignore her own ball and stay home with Elijah.
She was here now, however, and should be paying attention to Lord Arthur.
“So, they didn’t investigate at all, last night?” Elijah was asking.
“They hedged around the fact—all sorts of protestations about other priority demands on their time. I asked them what they considered to be more important than apprehending the kidnapper of a gentlewoman.” Lord Arthur sighed. “Since they didn’t investigate until this morning when I insisted, there was nothing to find. Both of our captives were gone. No one admitted to hearing anything or seeing anything.”
With no evidence of a crime beyond Lord Arthur’s word, the magistrate refused to order further action. “Do you know what he said to me?” Lord Arthur told them indignantly. “He said I was lucky not to be arrested myself, since all I had witnessed was a street fight in which I myself was involved, and anything I might have been told by the two of you was hearsay, and inadmissible.”
Regina could hardly believe it. “They are going to donothing? They are not even going to call on David Deffew? Or Geoffrey’s so-called friends?”
Lord Arthur shrugged. “I couldn’t tell them the names of Geoffrey’s friends, of course. But no. They will do nothing more without further evidence that a crime has been committed.”
“Then we’ll have to get further evidence,” Elijah said. He shifted uneasily and scowled. “I wish we had been able to take Deffew with us. It wouldn’t take much to beat a confession out of him.”
Lord Arthur spread his hands in defeat. “The Deffews are gone. House closed up. No one at home.” He brightened. “But I’ve told Wakefield and Wakefield all about it. They are the enquiry people we’ve hired, Mrs. Paddimore. My brother-in-law recommended them. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve asked them to send someone over here. I thought it would be easier, since they’ll want to question you, your son, and Ash.”
Regina assured him she didn’t mind. There went her peaceful afternoon with Elijah. The man from Wakefield and Wakefield was coming in a little over an hour, so there was no point in Lord Arthur going home. “I will leave you to keep Elijah company, Lord Arthur, and order some luncheon.”
Wilson reported that Charles was comfortable, if frustrated, and that Master Geoffrey was awake and had managed to eat a few slices of toast.
“Please arrange for luncheon for three to be served in Mr. Ashby’s bedchamber and let Mr. Paddimore know that a gentleman by the name of Mr. Wakefield is expected at half past two and will wish to ask him some questions.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The man theyexpected sent a woman in his stead. “Mr. Wakefield is reviewing the scenes of the various incidents Lord Arthur mentioned,” Mrs. Wakefield told them. “Starting with Orchid Court, where you were taken last night, Mrs. Paddimore. He thinks the servants might be more forthcoming with someone less elevated, Lord Arthur.”
Rex looked as if he had bitten into something sour. “I didn’t think to talk to the servants,” he admitted.
“Why would you, indeed?” Mrs. Wakefield asked.
Rex grimaced. “Because they watch their employers, and the more erratic their employers, the more carefully they observe them.”
Mrs. Wakefield raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Quite true, Lord Arthur.” She sounded approving.
She did not approve of Regina’s efforts to gather all of the witnesses into one room.
“I would prefer to interview each of you separately, Mrs. Paddimore. Your different perspectives will give me a more complete view of the events.”
Regina arranged for her to be taken to Regina’s own private sitting room, and one at a time, those who were mobile went to be questioned. Charles took the first turn, then went back to bed. Fullaby was called up from the kitchen to go next.
Geoffrey, Regina, and Rex sat with Ash, and spoke of other things. Or, at least, Regina, Ash, and Rex did. Geoffrey sat with his head in his hands, staring at nothing. Poor lad. He’d had a harsh lesson on false friends.
“You take the next turn with Mrs. Wakefield, Geoffrey,” said Regina. “Then go back to bed, darling, and get some more sleep.”
Geoffrey looked up, anguish in his eyes. “You should be angry with me, Mother. This is all my fault. You were abducted because of me. Assaulted, because of me.”
“No, Geoffrey. I was abducted and assaulted because of Mr. Deffew. He has tried assault before, once in this very house. In fact, it is not his first attempt at an abduction, either.”
Geoffrey was called in to see Mrs. Wakefield, and then Rex took his turn.
“This is not quite how I planned to spend this day,” Regina admitted.
