Page 37 of The Curse of Ill-Gotten Gains
Still smiling, she turned toward the door. “I’ll speak to the footman. I’m sure they can assemble something sufficiently sustaining to carry you two through to the next round.”
Behind her, both men softly groaned.
CHAPTER 6
Richard sat at the luncheon table beside Rosalind. He hadn’t been surprised when Regina had claimed the place on his other side. Ever since speaking with the investigators, Regina had been quiet and subdued and had stuck close to Rosalind and Richard.
The company passed the platters of meats, breads, cheeses, and fruits and attempted to behave in a manner that echoed normality. Pamela, Cecilia, and Vincent had rejoined their guests, and Pamela had asked everyone to “carry on as well as we can while the investigators pursue dear Monty’s killer.”
Naturally, no one had quibbled, yet all three Underhills were somber and drawn and, at times, transparently distracted with thoughts of other things, but those around them tactfully averted their gazes and forged on with their conversations.
After the company had been consuming their selections for several minutes, Leith, seated opposite Richard, leaned forward and inquired, “How did you find your interview with our investigators?”
Richard briefly met Leith’s eyes and read nothing more than simple curiosity behind the question, one that had attracted a good deal of attention up and down the board. Aware of that,Richard knew better than to try to avoid answering. He lightly shrugged. “It seemed quite straightforward. Just the usual things one might imagine they would want to know, such as when I arrived and what I did on Monday morning.” That was true enough and not particularly concerning.
Leith nodded and sat back. “That was my take as well. They seemed to be checking our whereabouts over the critical period, perhaps”—he darted a glance up the table to where their hostess sat—“as a prelude to concluding they need to cast their net farther afield and search the area for itinerants or gypsies.”
Richard doubted that but nodded equably. “Perhaps.”
Leith regarded him for an instant, then ventured, “I must say that I found them—the investigators—a curious bunch. Two well-established members of the haut ton combining with a Scotland Yard inspector to investigate crimes. I can’t imagine why the Adairs—as busy as they are—would give up their time to such an endeavor.”
Can’t you?Richard didn’t react but merely nibbled on a piece of cheese and waited.
Leith shrugged. “I haven’t heard of such an investigative team before.”
I have.Richard could have warned Leith—and all those listening—not to underestimate the trio, but he left the words unsaid. He had a strong suspicion that all three investigators, and Penelope especially, preferred to be underrated.
When neither he nor Leith volunteered more, those listening, somewhat reassured over what was in store for them, returned to their own low-voiced conversations.
Leith shifted his gaze to Rosalind. “Are you quite recovered from your ordeal, Miss Hemmings?”
Rosalind raised her gaze to his. “I am, thank you.” She paused, then added, “Finding Mr. Underhill’s body wasn’t pleasant, but in a way, I’m glad I found him. He might otherwisehave lain there for hours or even days, and that would have delayed the investigation considerably.”
Graciously, Leith inclined his head. “Indeed. Have you had a chance to venture about the grounds as yet?”
“Only over the lawns and through the shrubbery. It’s quite pleasant in the wood beyond.” She glanced across Richard at Regina. “I believe there’s a croquet green somewhere.”
Her sister usually loved playing, and if anything could lift her spirits, a game of croquet would.
“There’s a lovely green,” Leith said. “It’s in the opposite direction to the shrubbery. Quite a nice expanse and usually perfectly trimmed.”
Regina’s gaze rose from her plate—at last!—and she glanced hopefully at Rosalind. “Perhaps…”
Alison Waterhouse, a pretty girl sitting beside Leith and quietly listening, leaned forward and replied, “Yes. Why not? Lady Pamela asked us to behave normally, so after lunch, we”—her sweeping gaze included several other younger members of the company sitting nearby—“should all go and play a round or two.”
The suggestion was met with considerable eagerness by the younger crew and with some relief by their elders.
Consequently, as soon as the meal was deemed over, those intent on playing croquet swept out to the terrace, with Alison drawing Regina with her. Both Cecilia and Vincent Underhill joined the group, in a sense giving the event a measure of approval, and after rapidly gathering hats and parasols against the summer sun, the small crowd set off across the lawn.
Responding to the pointed look her mother sent her, Rosalind stepped out in the group’s wake. She wasn’t surprised to find Richard by her side but was mildly amazed when not only Leith but also Elliot joined them.
When the latter caught her faintly wondering gaze, he grinned. “I’m not used to sitting inside all day. I need to get some air.”
“Hear, hear,” Leith echoed as he walked on the other side of Regina, who had fallen back to walk beside Rosalind as she and the other more mature guests brought up the rear of the loosely ambling group.
“I hope you’ll forgive my curiosity, Miss Hemmings.” Leith leaned forward to speak to Rosalind across Regina. “But how did you come to find the body?”
Having expected that question from someone at some point, serenely, Rosalind replied, “I’d gone out to take a turn about the grounds and thought to venture into the orchard.”
