Page 19 of Murder at Hambledon Hall
My face heated, which he found amusing, going by the widening smile. The devil.
I cleared my throat. “Mrs. Short has forbidden the staff from having any kind of relationship, even those being conducted properly and openly.”
“That’s an overreaction. The maid’s dismissal should have been enough. I imagine the staff are upset.”
“Furious. That’s why I’m hoping Uncle Ronald will retract her rule.”
“He might not realize how upset they are, but I’m sure you can diplomatically inform him. If anyone can handle him, it’s you.”
Once upon a time, that wasn’t the case at all, but I’d grown used to my uncle’s moods these last few months. I think he even respected my opinion, more than he respected the opinions of his own children. I thanked Harry, feeling confident about both the investigation and my relationship with Uncle Ronald.
He opened the door wider. “Let me know when you’re free and I’ll arrange dinner with my parents.”
“I’ll see you then.”
“If not before.”
I couldn’t come up with a witty response, so I left him sporting a mysterious smile that I couldn’t decipher.
I tookafternoon tea with Flossy and Floyd in Flossy’s sitting room. My cousins and I each had our own suite on the hotel’s fourth floor. The suites each comprised a bedroom, sitting room and bathroom. Although not as large as my uncle and aunt’s suite, they provided ample space for one person living alone. With the staff at my beck and call, and a speaking tube through which I could order whatever I wanted from the kitchen, I was fortunate indeed to be living in a luxury hotel. My good fortune meant I could take on investigations where I knew I wouldn’t receive a fee. Few other investigators were in a position to forgo a fee for the sake of seeing justice served. Like Harry, they had to put food on the table and pay rent. I could afford to take casesgratis.
The investigation into the murder of Esmond Shepherd would be one such case. Lord Kershaw wouldn’t pay me to poke my nose into his family’s affairs. My nosiness began with asking my cousins for their opinion of the extended Kershaw family.
“Wentworth,” Floyd corrected me. “The family name is Wentworth. Kershaw is the title.”
Seated beside his sister on the sofa, it was quite obvious they didn’t resemble each other. I was often mistaken for Floyd’s sister and Flossy our cousin. He and I had the same shade of light brown hair and green eyes with a slender build, whereas Flossy was all luscious curves, with strawberry-blonde hair, and a pug nose sprinkled with freckles. Despite their many differences, they did have one thing in common. They were both dreadful snobs.
Floyd had already realized why I’d asked him to join us in Flossy’s suite. I expected him to thwart all my attempts at getting answers, but I tried anyway. “So Lady Elizabeth Wentworth is thepreviousLord Kershaw’s sister. Her father was the current lord’s grandfather. She must know all the family secrets.”
“She’s elderly,” he snapped. “Leave her alone, Cleo. She didn’t murder the gamekeeper.”
Flossy gasped. “Why would anyone think that sweet old lady is a murderer! Honestly, Floyd, you do say the vilest things sometimes. Cleo simply wants to get to know our parents’ friends better.”
“If that were true, she’d ask these questionsbeforevisiting them, not after.” He pointed his teacup at me. “Our dear cousin is investigating the murder of the gamekeeper, and she thinks one of the Wentworths did it.”
Flossy gasped. “Cleo!”
“Hopefully I can prove theydidn’tdo it,” I said.
Floyd looked skeptical.
“I think that’s a good idea,” Flossy said. “To prove they didn’t do it, I mean. It won’t be long before news of the gamekeeper’s death reaches London, and some cruel people will blame the family, particularly if they learn Lord Kershaw influenced the police investigation. I think Cleo should get involved to prove the family is innocent.”
“Thank you, Flossy. In that case, may I have your opinions on the family members? With a view to eliminating them, you understand.”
I saw Floyd’s lips pinch out of the corner of my eye. Unlike his sister, he was worried I might discover that one of Lord Kershaw’s family was a murderer. Flossy was under the impression they were all innocent. Did he know something that she didn’t?
“Let me see.” Flossy put down her teacup and got up to pace the floor. “As I said, Lady Elizabeth is a sweet old thing and quite doddery. Her hands shake, so she can’t have shot anyone, even if she knew how to handle a gun. Her nephew, Lord Kershaw is the true embodiment of a gentleman. He’s kind to everyone. I can’t imagine he had a bad thought about his gamekeeper. If he did, he’d just dismiss him. He wouldn’t need to kill him.”
It was a good point. Even Floyd seemed to think so. He no longer looked annoyed, but nodded along.
“His wife is also very sweet. I know there’s a large age gap between Lord and Lady Kershaw, but neither seems to mind. They married for love.”
“They may be in lovenow,” Floyd countered, “but I think it was arranged, so I remember Mother once saying.”
“What about Lord Kershaw’s sister and brother-in-law, the Brownings?” I asked.
Flossy wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like either of them. He ignored me most of the weekend, and I overheard her call me fat.”
