Page 34 of The Trouble With Titles
Her friend rolled her eyes in response. “It is human nature, I am afraid. My mother was oblivious to the fact that there were servants who could access her private papers. I was constantly putting them away for her.”
“Then we must think of how to get you into John’s rooms. Does he leave them for dinner?”
“He does, and Duncan serves at the dinner table, so he will not be there. And the valet is abed again with his maladies. It is my belief he gets soused, but Simon cannot fire him because John likes the little arse.”
“Molly!”
“What? You are not my mother, Madeline Bigsby. I shall say the words which fit, not the words which are fitting.”
Despite her dire worries, Madeline burst out laughing. “I have not witnessed this side of you?”
“I am simply growing more relaxed in your company, which is a blessing. It has been exhausting being proper all the time, but the Scotts are so unpredictable in their moods, it has been my strategy to not draw any attention to myself.”
“Well, feel free to air your words as much as you need.” Madeline paused to recall what they had been discussing before Molly’s shocking departure from her usual deportment. “What of Nicholas? I hear he is quite plaintive about how the new heirs affect him.”
“He is. I can access his room once he departs for the evening. Perhaps when I go to bed, I can sneak down the hall.”
“Do you consider Lady Blackwood a suspect? Should we try to get into her rooms?”
Molly shrugged. “I have no notions of what Isla Scott is thinking, but it cannot hurt to see what is in her rooms. It will be interesting to see where the china doll sleeps because she has never invited me in.”
“Or bestowed you with a hint of expression?”
“Truly! I sometimes wonder if she is human or some fey creature from the otherworld. Can you conceive of never smiling, nor frowning? I never know what to say in her presence, so I hold my tongue.” Molly motioned to her lips for emphasis.
“I suppose the best time to access the baroness’s rooms would be dinner?”
“Yes. Her lady’s maid frequents the kitchens during dinner to indulge in household tattle. Miss Dubois, though pretty of features, is acrimonious by nature, and takes great pleasure in recounting salaciouson-ditswhenever she has the opportunity. I suspect she extravagantly embellishes most of her stories for dramatic effect.”
Madeline giggled. “I think I like this more irreverent side of you!”
“Then you would have loved my mother. She did not tolerate fools, and wielded a cutting wit with rapier sharpness.” Molly’s face went glum. “I miss her so much.”
“I am sorry.”
“There is no need. These morning visits with you have lifted my spirits. You are a good friend.”
Madeline was touched by the compliment, reaching out an arm for a quick embrace. “I enjoy this, too. You helped me forget some of my troubles.”
They sat in comfortable silence, the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze as birds twittered from undisclosed locations, and sweet solace stole through Madeline. “I shall come to dinner to ensure everyone remains downstairs while you search. My presence will cause such consternation, they will forget all about you.”
The thought of entering the Scott home was daunting, but she had no time for reservations, so she would be audacious to achieve their aims.
Molly cleared her throat. “There is one more place we should search.”
Madeline tried to think. “Where?”
“Simon’s study.”
Madeline could feel her cheeks heating, embarrassed to speak of intimate issues. Molly and she had talked about varied subjects, but never broached personal topics until these past few days. However, if they were to be co-conspirators in deceitful deeds, she must act in good faith and trust her new friend with confidential information. “Simon could not have done it. He was with me that night.”
Her friend was silent as she digested this. “Were you …”
“As friends. Simon was reluctant to wed Miss Boyle, so he spent some final hours reminiscing about better days here in the garden before he signed the contract.”
“Well, I am happy to hear that. I like Simon, but I did not wish my affinity to cloud my thoughts when there might be a dangerous criminal in the house.”
“I understand. We have one down, three to go.”
