Page 38 of Temptress in Disguise
The questions came so quickly Mr Kendrick couldn’t catch his breath. “Maddock. He helps with props and staging, sorts the costumes for laundry and takes in deliveries. He lives across the road, above Mrs Boyle’s Emporium. He said he saw a figure darting from the alley and found the theatre door open.”
Aramis turned to her. “Do you have any questions?”
As always, her husband had been quite thorough. “Who do you think killed Mr Budworth?”
The man averted his gaze. “I—I thought you, Miss Grant. Miss Gray heard you arguing about your play, and I feared there’d been a scuffle. It’s common knowledge Mr Budworth uses his position to get close to the leading ladies. No one would blame you for protecting yourself.”
A growl rumbled in Aramis’ throat. “My wife is innocent.”
“Then it might be one of Miss Fontaine’s gentleman friends blaming Mr Budworth for her disappearance.”
Fear’s icy hand wrapped around Naomi’s heart. Before Mr Budworth’s murder, she’d convinced herself Lydia had escaped to her lover’s retreat. Lydia was often dramatic. Liked to do drastic things to keep her admirers keen. But what if something awful had happened?
“That’s all for now,” she said, keeping her worries at bay. Mr Kendrick looked like he’d been wrung through a mangle. “Inform Miss Gray we would like to ask her a few questions.”
Flustered, Mr Kendrick scampered along the aisle and summoned Matilda Gray from the stage.
“We’ll swap roles,” Aramis said like a Bow Street interrogator. “You attack Miss Gray, and I’ll play the dashing hero. Disregard anything I say. I’m merely reciting lines.”
She smiled.
“What’s so amusing?” he said, smiling too.
“I thought you preferred being the dangerous devil. Perhaps you should ask Mr Kendrick if he has a spare banyan.”
“I’d rather walk the streets naked than wear a silk robe. And I am a dangerous devil. I only play the dashing hero when helping you.” He glanced at the approaching Miss Gray, who made a point of swinging her hips as she walked. “You can thank me later. I have a feeling this will be painful.”
Naomi fought to keep a stone-like expression as she prepared to greet the red-haired beauty. “Miss Gray. Will you sit?”
Matilda came to stand beside Aramis. “No, thank you, Miss Grant. I can only spare a few minutes. As I’m to play Hero tonight, I must perfect my performance.”
“You seem more than capable, madam,” Aramis said in a voice she didn’t recognise.
Matilda melted at the mere hint of flattery. “I’m glad you think so, sir. Mr Kendrick mentioned you work for Bow Street.” The lady touched his coat sleeve. “Perhaps you might attend the performance tonight. I can arrange for a private tour backstage.”
She meant a tour of her underskirts.
Aramis firmed his jaw and pulled his arm away.
Aware he was struggling to keep his demons caged, Naomi intervened. “Why did you lie to Sergeant Maitland? You know it wasn’t an argument. Mr Budworth tried to manipulate me into accepting his lewd proposal.”
Matilda shrugged. “I heard raised voices. Be thankful I didn’t mention you stole props from the basket.”
“Be thankful I didn’t tell Sergeant Maitland I saw you leaving Mr Budworth’s apartment in a state of dishabille.”
The lady did not bow her head in shame. “What do you expect? To get ahead, your sister flaunts herself at every man. I merely took advantage of her absence to secure an important role in the play.”
“One must use the talents God gave them,” Aramis said.
“Precisely, sir.” Matilda batted her lashes. “I knew we were of like minds the moment I laid eyes on you.”
“And yet he gave me the role,” Naomi countered. To keep the crowds coming, Mr Budworth had begged her to take Lydia’s place.
“A temporary solution because you look like your sister. You’re paid to clean and assist the actors.”
“And in your frustration, you killed Mr Budworth.”
Matilda clasped her hand to her heart and staggered back. “Only a fool would kill their employer. Edwin Budworth means to sell the Belldrake to the highest bidder. Now his brother is dead, there’s no one to stop him. He’s the sole beneficiary.”
