Garden of Lies(8)

She straightened her shoulders. “There is another factor to consider. Anne told me that Lady Fulbrook never leaves her house. That is not just because of her poor nerves. Evidently her husband does not allow her to go out unless he, personally, escorts her.”

“So, we’re back to Lord Fulbrook as our main suspect. Do you think Anne had an affair with him?”

“I think it’s possible,” Ursula said. “If that was the case, I doubt very much that she was passionately in love with him. I don’t think Anne would have trusted any man with her heart. But she had her financial future to consider.”

“She might have found his money interesting.”

Ursula sighed. “That is a rather blunt way of putting it, sir, but the answer is, yes. Perhaps she became too demanding. Or perhaps she said or did something to set off Fulbrook’s temper.”

“If that was the case, he would have been likely to attack her physically, probably in a fit of rage. You said there was no evidence that she was assaulted.”

“No. None.”

There was another short silence. After a time Slater stirred.

“You do realize that if you set out to prove that Fulbrook killed Anne Clifton you might very likely put your own life in danger,” Slater said.

“I just want to know the truth.”

“There is still the strong likelihood that she suffered a heart attack or a stroke,” Slater said.

“I know. If my inquiries lead nowhere I will accept that conclusion.”

“What else can you tell me about Anne Clifton?”

“Well, among other things she was a very modern woman.”

“I believe that modern is another euphemism, is it not?”

Anger flashed through Ursula. “Anne was a woman of high spirits. She was charming, bold, daring, and she was determined to enjoy life to the hilt. In short, sir, if she had been a man, people would have admired her.”

“You admired her.”

“Yes, I did,” Ursula said. She composed herself. “She was my friend as well as an employee.”

“I see. Go on.”

“There is not much more to say. I believe that someone in the Fulbrook household, probably Lord Fulbrook, is responsible for Anne’s death. I intend to find out if my suspicions are correct. And now, if you will excuse me, I must be on my way. I assured Lady Fulbrook that I would send a new secretary to her at the earliest possible moment. I need to get things in order at the agency before I take up my duties.”

Slater frowned. “Lady Fulbrook?”

“Anne’s client. I just explained—”

“Yes, I know what you said. Damnation, you intend to take Miss Clifton’s place as Lady Fulbrook’s secretary.”

“I start tomorrow afternoon. I assured Lady Fulbrook that the transition would be seamless and that I would arrive at her house in Mapstone Square promptly at one-thirty, just as Anne did.”

Slater walked across the carpet and came to a halt directly in front of Ursula.

“If you are correct in your suspicions,” he said, “what you are planning is potentially dangerous.”

His soft tone rattled her nerves. Instinctively she took a step back, trying to put a little more distance between them. He was no longer simply annoyed or reluctantly curious. He was in his own, subtle way angry. At me, she thought, bemused.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Roxton,” she said hastily. “I’m sure you can find another secretary to help you catalog your collection. I will be happy to send you someone else from my agency to fill in while I’m gone.”

“I am not concerned with finding another secretary, Mrs. Kern, I am concerned about your safety.”

“Oh, I see.”

He was not furious because she was abandoning his cataloging project, she thought. He was simply alarmed that she might be taking a risk. It had been so long since anyone had been worried about her welfare that she was flummoxed for a moment. The realization warmed her somewhere deep inside. She smiled.

“It is very thoughtful of you to be concerned,” she said. “Truly, I do appreciate it. But rest assured that I will take precautions.”

Ominous shadows appeared in his eyes. “Such as?”

Her fragile sense of gratitude evaporated in a heartbeat.

“I assure you I can take care of myself,” she said coldly. “I have been doing just that for some time now. I regret that I tried to explain my plan to you. That was clearly a mistake. I can only hope that you will honor my confidence. If you fail to do so, you may, indeed, put me in some jeopardy.”

He looked as if she had just slapped his face very hard. Equal measures of astonishment and outrage flashed in his eyes.

“Do you really think that I would deliberately do anything that would place you in danger?” he asked softly.

She was instantly consumed with remorse.

“No, of course not,” she said. “I would never have spoken to you of my intentions if I believed that to be the case. But I admit I had hoped you might be able to provide some helpful advice.”

“My advice is to give up this wild scheme.”

“Right.” She closed her hand around the doorknob. “Thank you for your ever so helpful counsel. Good day, Mr. Roxton.”

“Damn it, Ursula, don’t you dare walk out on me.”