Suitors and Sabotage(61)
“Agreed.”
“That leaves five gentlemen, two footmen, and three drivers.”
“That’s still quite a lot, but the footmen and coachmen stayed by the road. We would have noticed had any of them entered the castle. Their livery would have been quite obvious.”
“Yes. So, if one of the servants is involved, he would have had to get a proxy to do the job.”
Imogene shook her head. “Yes, but this is not the only incident—what about the necklace? A coachman would not have been able to wander the house without being seen. Nor would he have known the location of … oh, and I don’t believe you brought your footmen to Gracebridge.”
“No, there was no need. Excellent, Bernie and Charles are off the list as well as the drivers.”
“Not excellent. Our list is shorter but more disconcerting. We are left five—five members of family and friends. Though it has been only Percy, Jake, and my father who have at times been at odds with Ben.”
Emily clicked her tongue softly. “Oh dear. Oh dear, dear, dear.”
Imogene turned toward her friend. “Emily? What is amiss?”
“We have not been considering someone. There are actually six gentlemen we should be taking into account.”
Motionless, staring at each other, Imogene’s eyes grew large. “No. It couldn’t be. Ernest?”
“It makes sense. He can walk about without notice, inside and out. He knew where Ben’s room was.”
“And he would only need to ask to find mine. A little search and voilà—my topaz in hand.”
“Collecting Jasper and tying him in place after the laborers had—no, that wouldn’t work. He returned to Gracebridge with us.”
“But he could easily have placed the burr under Ben’s saddle pad.” Imogene chewed at her lip.
“Though he was with Ben, Jake, and Percy when they heard the ghost. So he did not have a hand in the haunting.”
Mulling over the many possibilities, Imogene shook her head. “It’s too much; there has to be something that ties it all together. We just can’t see it.”
“Perhaps we need to focus on why—why would someone want to hurt Ben?”
“Father does not think well of Ben, but would he lower himself to throw rocks or sneak into Ben’s room with my necklace in hand? I cannot think so poorly of him. I am certain he would do no such thing.”
“As much could be said about Papa and Mr. Tabard. Are we back to Percy and Jake again? That can’t be right.”
“And Ernest,” Imogene whispered. “I don’t want to think this; I greatly esteem Ernest.… But he is the most logical candidate. Perhaps he had nothing to do with tying up Jasper or the haunting, but the burr, my necklace, and … oh, wait. Ernest was with you at the castle. Oh, I am so relieved. It could not be him. We do not need to see a reason why he might want to hurt his brother.”
“I wish that I could be as pleased, Imogene, but I can’t. Ernest and I left to join the others, but he turned back. Said he had forgotten to ask Ben a question. I only rushed into the castle when I saw a woman and her sons running through the gate. Ernest was standing in the yard when I got there, watching.”
“Oh dear heaven. I can’t think it of him. Why would he do such a thing? No, Emily, it makes no sense.”
“Jealousy?”
Imogene stilled, breathing heavily through her nose. No. It was impossible. Ernest could not know how she felt about Ben. Ernest had not said anything—anything at all. She brought her eyes up and met those of Emily. Did Emily know how Imogene felt? They stared at each other for several minutes until Imogene vigorously shook her head and jumped to the ground. “No,” she said, far louder than she meant. She began to pace, staring at the grass, the path, a rock, the grass, the path, a rock.
“Yes, I’m afraid so. Jealousy. It’s obvious. Despite being the firstborn, the heir to the heir, Ernest does not have the charm and easy way that Ben has. Ernest sits quietly reading while watching his younger brother dally with young ladies, laugh with the company, and share witty banter. It must be very difficult.”
“Jealous of his brother.” Imogene scratched at her forehead. “Then why would Ernest travel with Ben? Why not leave him in Chotsdown?”
“Perhaps their grandparents asked it of him or Ben did. There can be any number of reasons.… But, Imogene, this theory fits the most. It makes the most sense.”
“No, Emily. It cannot be Ernest. He wants to marry me.”
“And that is relevant how?”
“Not relevant, I suppose. No, it’s not.”
“I think we will have to watch Ernest very carefully at Musson House. I am so very glad that you have decided that you do not suit. It would have been a horrible shock to learn that your betrothed was capable of such duplicity.”
“I’m still not convinced, Emily.”
“I know.” Emily sighed sadly, pushing away from the stone fence, as well, and picking up her bonnet and parasol. “I hope I’m wrong.… There is no win in this situation. We will just have to do our best to keep Ben safe.”
chapter 15
In which Ben would rather commune with a tiger than have a private talk with Imogene
MUSSON HOUSE, CHOTSDOWN, KENT—