Page 44 of Dark Tidings on the Thames
“Yes. Yes, of course.”
Kara stood and met the man’s gaze directly. “Mr. Chambers, do you have any idea who it was that Glynn Foulger might have suspected?”
“No. I’m sorry. I wish I did.”
“Do you think any of the volunteers might have a suspicion? Might Glynn have told any of them?”
“She and Beth Williams were close friends. Perhaps her?”
“No,” Kara said firmly. “If Beth knew, I would already know.”
“Then perhaps one of the other volunteers who regularly spend evenings here, sewing, ironing, folding—and socializing? Several of them are older women. Solid, respectable widows, or those without family to occupy their evenings. She might have confided in one of them.”
Kara nodded. “I will make enquiries.”
“And I will keep my ear to the ground. If I learn anything more, I will, of course, contact you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chambers. You have been extremely helpful.”
The young man bowed. “And, Your Grace, I don’t mean to be rude—”
“Please, do not worry,” Kara interrupted. “I will keep your secret, sir.”
“Thank you.” His relief was evident. “Good day, Your Grace.”
Kara left him and went to search out Beth and Gyda. The gathering in the parlor was breaking up. Some of the volunteers were leaving, while others rolled up their sleeves and went to pursue their endeavors in the long workroom. Kara found her friends and invitedthem both to come back to Bluefield Park. “We will all want to hear Niall’s report on the burial,” she reminded them. She gave Gyda a significant look. “And I think we all need to sit down to review everything we’ve learned and think about what to do next. If indeed there is anything more to be done.”
Beth took a bit of persuasion, but Kara insisted. “Besides talk of the enquiries, it’s been too long since we had the chance to simply enjoy everyone’s company. Please. Do come,” she wheedled.
Beth finally agreed, and with a sign of relief, and before anyone else could detain them, Kara dragged them both to the street, where they could get a hack to the train station.
Chapter Ten
Niall arrived backat Bluefield on the heels of the women. There was a flurry of greetings in the drive before they all trooped in to find that Turner, with his uncanny instincts, had asked Cook to prepare a lavish tea. They called Stayme down, pulled Turner in, and gathered in the parlor, where a table was set with both egg and cucumber-and-cress sandwiches, scones with plenty of clotted cream and Kara’s favorite blackberry jam, and lovely, delicate pastries.
Thrilled, Niall reached for the sandwiches, only to have his hand knocked away by his wife.
“Not yet,” Kara told him. “We talk first. It won’t take Harold long to sniff out a spread like this, and I would like to finish our discussion before he finds us.”
She was right, but that didn’t keep Niall from eyeing the cream-filled puffs while Kara started at the beginning and summarized everything they had learned. Dutifully, he filled them in on the burial and listened with interest as Kara shared what Royston’s secretary had told her.
“So that’s where we stand,” Kara said as she finished. “We’ve done as Mr. Yardley asked. We have even lightened his burden a bit, freeing him of the charge of harassment, but it still appears that Frye intends to see him tried for Glynn Foulger’s murder. Now we must decide onournext course of action. Or if, indeed, we should pursue the matterany further at all.”
Stayme shrugged. “I think your decision hinges on whether you believe Yardley killed the girl or not. Kara?” he asked, eyeing her closely. “What do you think?”
She drew a deep breath and sat quietly for a moment. Niall knew her well enough to know that she was searching her feelings as well as reviewing the facts. At last, she shook her head. “I believe him. I don’t think he did it.”
“Niall?” asked the viscount.
Niall followed Kara’s example and searched his gut. “It was a desperate move for him to come to us for help,” he began.
“Or a strategic one,” Stayme interrupted.
Niall shook his head. “I considered that. But I believe his story.”
“I want to hear what Beth thinks,” Kara said before the viscount could speak again.
Beth started, clearly not expecting to be asked.
