Page 78 of Ghost in the Garden
“If they’re that reasonable, you’ll lose money.”
“I know. I plan to raise funds at Lady Swan’s charity ball. I’ve spoken to Sir Nicholas about it already. It’s an experiment, though a drop in the ocean of what is needed. But I digress. I propose we seek out Angela and the servants first, and then your mother and Knox.”
Since Constance had much the same thoughts, she saw no reason to argue.
She had no idea how she would be greeted at the Lambert house, so she made no effort to throw off Solomon’s company. Angela’s payment clearly ended their old association, and the entire household was likely to be suspicious of the newcomer who had decamped in her mistress’s time of trouble.
However, it was Bert who opened the front door to them, and he actually looked relieved to see Constance. He threw the door open wide. “Just the person she needs. The police are here again, and she won’t come out the parlor.”
At least she’d got out of her bed.
“Just go in,” Bert said carelessly, though he looked Solomon up and down as he laid his hat on the table. “I’ll tell Mr. Duggin.” This may or may not have been a warning shot across Solomon’s bow.
Solomon said nothing. Constance walked down the hall to the back parlor and knocked.
“Come in,” Angela commanded with impatience.
Exchanging a quick glance, they entered and found the widow at her desk. She stood abruptly at the sight of them. “Mrs. Silver. I hoped you’d come. Those bloody peelers are here again, poking around, asking questions.”
“It’s their job,” Constance replied.
“Well, they’re upsetting my people, andtheyhave jobs to do. I’d help if I could—for once—but I don’t know what they want or why.”
“Is Inspector Harris here?” Constance asked.
“The governor? Oh yes, he’s there, going through Caleb’s office, cheeky bas—”
“If you like,” Solomon interrupted mildly, “I’ll go and talk to him.”
“Good idea,” Constance agreed, for they needed to talk to Harris. And Angela seemed to want to speak to her.
“Directly across the hall,” Angela said.
Solomon bowed slightly and left the room.
“How are you?” Constance asked quietly when the door had closed behind him.
“I’m holding together by a thread. I feel if I sit down without doing something, I’ll shatter. I don’t want to think.”
“Do you have family who can come and be with you?”
Angela looked at Constance as though she’d grown horns. “They’re no use to me. You are.”
“We received your payment,” Constance said. “In the circumstances, you didn’t have to be quite so prompt, but thank you.”
“I wanted an end to it—your investigation for me, and your maid pretense. I’d like to offer you a different position.”
Constance blinked. “You would?” Was she asking Silver and Grey to investigate her husband’s death? Should they accept payment for something they fully intended to do anyway? Although not necessarily to Angela’s benefit.
Angela’s eyes were shrewd, a businesswoman’s eyes, not those of a just-bereaved widow. “You’ve been useful to me. Even in the few days you’ve been here. I’ve come to rely on you. You’re a clever woman, Mrs. Silver, and there ain’t so many of us about.”
“Are notso many of us about,” Constance corrected her.
Angela’s lips twitched in response. “You see? But that’s a side benefit. If that was all you did, you’d be bored in a week. Less. I want you to learn my business, help me expand it, be my lieutenant, if you like. As I was Caleb’s.”
It was odd, but even while everything in her revolted against subservience to anyone, let alone to the woman who inherited Lambert’s gruesome businesses, Constance felt a spark of pride to be asked.
“You’ve taken me by surprise,” she said honestly. “I don’t know what to say.”
