A Perilous Perspective (Lady Darby Mystery #10)(95)

“What?” Bree asked, noticing my look. “What is it?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Maybe it’s just that . . . we know full well that no one is ever truly harmless. Our past inquiries have taught us that. So . . . maybe we’re dismissing someone we shouldn’t.”

“Miss Margaret?”

I narrowed my eyes, wishing I could isolate the precise reason why my instinct was humming. “Maybe. Or maybe someone else.” I pushed to my feet. “One thing I do know is that I’m not going to allow another day to slip by without identifying that poison. Perhaps that will be the key to unlocking the answers we seek.”

Emma chose that moment to finally demonstrate her new trick, flopping over onto her back to grin up at me. I dropped to one knee, joining Bree in heaping her with the correct amount of praise for this achievement, and then lifted her into my arms to fetch Mrs. Mackay. Once she was safely in the nurse’s care, I gathered up the books I’d borrowed from the Campbells and made my way through the house to the library with Bree in tow.

While Bree rang for tea and pulled the two books on poisons I’d already identified from Barbreck’s shelves, I sat at one of the tables to begin perusing the first of the Campbells’ books. Thus settled, we spent the early afternoon searching the pages for even a hint of what the poison might be, but it was to no avail.

I slammed the last book I’d been scanning and leaned forward to bury my head in my hands. “Why can’t we find it?” I demanded to know of no one in particular.

Bree shook her head. “I dinna ken, m’lady. It must be rare, indeed.”

I sighed, turning my head to stare at the groaning shelves. That, or someone here or at Poltalloch had removed any books which mentioned it. I allowed my gaze to trail over the section which had contained these books, but the only gaps in the spines came from the spot where Bree had pulled them. Sinking back in my chair, I tried to think of another way we might find our answer, but my brain was too tired.

“I’ve been thinkin’ aboot what you said,” Bree remarked, forcing me to drag my gaze from the table where it had landed to her face. “Aboot no one truly being harmless. And I keep comin’ back to the peculiarity o’ Mairi’s employment.”

I recalled her interest in Mairi having taken a position at Poltalloch when her father worked for the Barbreck estate, and how she’d learned Mairi had been acquainted with Miss Margaret before she was hired. “Go on.”

“I can’t help but wonder whether there’s a connection between Mr. MacCowan workin’ for Lord Alisdair and Mairi workin’ for the Campbells. Lord Barbreck may’ve severed relations wi’ the Campbells, but that doesna mean Lord Alisdair did, even if he did try to sell them a forged painting.”

I considered this and had to agree with her logic. “You’re right. Stranger things have happened. Though, given what we’ve uncovered about the forgeries, I doubt either of the Campbells will admit to the association if I ask them about it.”

Bree leaned forward over the table. “I’d like to look into it. Speak to the older servants who might remember somethin’—both here and at Poltalloch.”

I searched her eager face, admitting that if anyone could wheedle the answers we sought from these Highlanders, it was Bree. But still I hesitated to send her off on such a task alone, especially when we weren’t aware of the exact nature of the danger we faced.

“Very well,” I agreed, and her face brightened. “But . . . you can’t go to Poltalloch alone.”

She didn’t argue, perhaps recognizing the wisdom of this as well. “I can ask Callum . . .”

“Not Callum,” I stated, leaving no room for argument. “We already know his judgment isn’t the most assailable. And not Liam either,” I told her before she could make the suggestion. I locked gazes with her, already seeing in her eyes that she knew what I was going to say, and she didn’t like it. “It has to be Anderley.”

She heaved an aggravated sigh but did not verbally protest.

“I know your relationship is strained at the moment, but he’s the only member of the staff I completely trust to see to your safety, no matter how vexing and difficult he is.”

Her lips twitched at this last comment, and I seized my advantage.

“Understood?”

“Aye. No matter how vexing and difficult.”

“Good.” I glanced toward the window where blue skies still reigned. “He should have returned from Mr. MacCowan’s cottage by now, and I presume you wish to begin immediately, so go find him.”

Before she could reply, the sound of raised voices drew our attention toward the corridor.

“I’ve never set foot in such a depraved house in all my life,” the man declared, and I needed only one guess as to who it was. “Poisonings, forgeries, theft, murder! Why, it’s more than disgraceful. It’s entirely beyond the pale. And I cannot comprehend why you would wish to ally yourself with such a family, with such a household.”

I moved toward the door to find Lord Ledbury practically foaming at the mouth while Charlotte clutched Rye’s arm with her hand. My cousin appeared torn between anger and concern, and concern won out when Charlotte faltered back a step and pressed a hand to her brow. She did seem rather wan. Though this appeared to have no effect on her father or his towering fury.