A Perilous Perspective (Lady Darby Mystery #10)(106)

And then it struck me like a thunderbolt.

I spun about to share my epiphany with Gage, only to clamp my mouth shut again at the reminder of Miss Ferguson’s presence. “Let’s return to the manor,” I instructed instead, striding past them toward the door, anxious to confirm my suspicions.

I didn’t pause to wait for the others, trusting they would catch up. In less than a dozen steps, Gage grabbed my elbow to check my pace. “What is it? What have you realized?”

I adjusted the cloak draped over my arm, and I glanced over my shoulder toward Henry and Miss Ferguson, who trailed several feet behind. “Let’s just say, this cloak has given me a fair idea where the paintings are.”

His eyebrows arched. “All of them?”

I cast him an enigmatic look. “We shall see.”



* * *




*

While Gage secured Miss Ferguson once again in her chamber and enlisted Liam’s assistance in standing guard, I took care of Emma and changed into my crimson riding habit with the assistance of the upstairs maid who had been summoned to sit with Bree so that Anderley could join us on our next excursion. I was relieved to see Bree making such a swift recovery but had insisted she remain in bed until at least the following morning. Something she had strenuously argued against, but I had prevailed, with the added promise I would visit her later to tell her about everything we’d learned that day. And hopefully soon I would have even more to reveal.

Hastening down the steps to the library, where I was to meet Gage, Anderley, and Henry, I was forced to check my steps when Charlotte and Rye suddenly stepped into my path. From the intent looks on their faces, I deduced they’d been waiting there with the sole purpose of intercepting me.

“Gage spoke with us briefly,” Charlotte said, perhaps uncertain I knew. “How likely is it that Miss Ferguson is the culprit?”

I grasped hold of her arms above the elbows, rumpling the enormous ice blue gigot sleeves of her gown. “First, let me say how glad I am to see you looking much recovered from last night,” I told her, hoping to calm some of the anxiety that wreathed her face.

She exhaled deeply. “Thank you.”

“And second, we’re still uncertain.” I shifted my gaze to Rye. “I don’t know how much Gage told you, but Miss Ferguson was in possession of a rosary made from the poison, and she concealed the fact that Kennan and Mairi MacCowan were her relatives.”

Rye and Charlotte shared a look of shock that told me they hadn’t known at least one of those things.

He shook his head in bewilderment. “I’m just still so astonished by the idea that Miss Ferguson would do such a thing.”

“Yes, but you do like to believe the best of people,” I pointed out. “Which is admirable,” I hastened to add. “Except in a case like this.”

Rye turned to his fiancée with sad eyes. “I’m sorry, Charlotte. I should have taken your concerns about her more seriously sooner.”

Charlotte clasped his hands between hers. “Oh, but darling, you couldn’t have known it would be as bad as this. I certainly didn’t.”

“Now, let’s not be hasty,” I warned them. “The evidence against her is unsettling, but it’s by no means definitive. There’s still a possibility she’s not the killer.” I studied both of their faces. “Have either of you spoken with her in the past few days?”

“I have,” Rye admitted. “As I’d alluded to, Charlotte had expressed some concerns.”

I nodded, having been the one to encourage her to take those concerns to him.

“And I wanted to address them.” He cleared his throat. “To be honest, she seemed to me to be quite chastened. Perhaps a bit too much.”

I wondered if this had been a ploy by Miss Ferguson or simply more evidence of the general malaise and uneasiness which had plagued the governess during the days after she’d stumbled upon her cousin’s dead body. I supposed it depended on whether she was guilty.

“She promised to be more respectful,” Rye continued. “And in general, appeared to be quite receptive to my requests and suggestions. She seemed pleased to learn that she and the children would be moving with us to the estate near Edinburgh my great-uncle has gifted us the living from as a wedding present.”

I considered this piece of information, wondering if some of Miss Ferguson’s general disagreeableness had been a result of her apprehension that she and the children would be left at Barbreck when Rye and Charlotte departed after the wedding. After all, the place was clearly not one of happy memories for her.

“Thank you for telling me that,” I said. “And as I cautioned, don’t be too hasty. There are still questions to be answered. I can’t really say more.” I began to move away. “Excuse me.”

“Of course . . .” Rye murmured after me even though I’d already turned away, intent on finding one of those answers.





Chapter 29




Now, then. You’ve got us here,” Gage declared with impatience. “So out with it.” He spread his arms and turned in a circle in the entry of Lord Alisdair’s cottage. “Where are the paintings?”

I merely continued to smile my enigmatic smile as I led them into the drawing room, enjoying being the sole possessor of the answer to this riddle for a moment longer. I only hoped I proved to be correct; otherwise, my husband would never let me live it down.