Page 85 of Scandalous Heiress
Chapter 14
“Your Grace,” Victor addressed Julian who sat with his sister in the small first floor parlor.“Lord Billings and I will return to the house.”
Two Bobbies and an inspector from the Metropolitan Police had arrived minutes ago and they were in the hall, examining Carbury’s body.
By the policemen’s orders, Julian was to keep his sister away while they worked and questioned Leland.“Take Pierce with you.”
Lily’s and Ada’s brother stood by the door, his arms crossed, his gaze upon the paralyzed form of Elanna.“I’ll stay here.”
Julian waved a weary hand at them.
Victor questioned the wisdom of that.But he would not argue.Whatever Pierce’s rationale—and his motives seemed less than practical—Victor sensed Pierce could not be dissuaded.
As the Seton coachman drove them back to Green Park, he and Freddie sat exhausted.Before the police had arrived, they had gone over events with Leland twice but he answered differently each time.Victor worried that his interview with the police inspector would not go well.
The only sound in the streets was the horses’ hooves upon the cobbles as Freddie took a deep breath and asked, “Shall I utter the question or will you?”
“Hell, yes.I have more than one.You?”
Freddie blew out a gust of air.“Did Carbury fall?”
“Where was Elanna when her husband barged in?”Victor still did not believe Leland’s claim he was upstairs with her.The way Leland described the initial encounter with Elanna’s husband struck a wrong chord.
“Where was Leland?”
Victor gazed out the window and noted how clear the night air was.Unusual, that.“Did Carbury strike her?I saw no marks on her.”
“But her pearls are scattered down the stairs.A handkerchief, too.I assume they’re hers.How did that happen?”
“And did Carbury fall?Or was he pushed?”
“And if so—”
Victor had to say the words.“By Leland or by Elanna?”
The clatter of a horse’s hooves upon the stones rent the night air.
“Someone’s in a hurry,” Freddie noted.
“Wonder what—”
A man shouted at their coachman and the carriage careened to a halt.
“What the hell?”Victor craned his neck.
“Highwaymen?”Freddie burst out, a tone of jest mixed with incredulity.“In London?”
“Milord!Milord!”The rider came to the window and shouted at them.
“Who is that?”
“I’m groom from His Grace’s stable!Roll down the glass, milord!”
Victor and Freddie frowned at each other.
“What’s wrong?”Victor asked.
“Sir, come to the house.I’m to fetch you.Hurry.Her Grace sent me.We need you!”
