Late for the Wedding (7 page)

“If you say so. Personally, I believe that she is attempting to use guilt as a means of manipulating you.”

“She has no need to go to such lengths to acquire my assistance in this matter, and I’m certain she is well aware of that.” Tobias pocketed the ring. “No one wants to find this new Memento-Mori Man more than I do. He has thrown down the gauntlet and there is no time to waste.”

“You must allow me to help you, Tobias.”

“I do not want you anywhere near this case.”

“You have said it is imperative that you resolve this matter as soon as possible. You need all the assistance you can obtain. Furthermore, it is not as though I am an amateur at this sort of thing.”

“Bloody hell, Lavinia—”

She raised her hand to silence him. “I would remind you that I am the only witness you have at the moment. Granted, I cannot give you a good description of the maid who accompanied Fullerton up here tonight, but I noticed some details that may be helpful.” Out of the corner of her eye she glimpsed a bit of white cloth in the deep shadow of a chimney. “Well, well, what have we here?”

She took the candle from his hand and hurried toward the chimney.

Tobias took his foot down off the stone wall and followed her across the roof. “What is it?”

“I’m not sure. But if it is what I believe it to be, we have our first clue.” She bent down and scooped up the object. “Her cap.”

“Are you certain?” Tobias took the large, floppy cap from her hand and examined it carefully by the light of the candle. “It looks like any other woman’s cap to me.”

“Not quite. It has an unusually large brim and a ribbon. That is most certainly the one the blond maid was wearing. I would not be surprised to find a few blond hairs inside when we take a closer look in a strong light. Tobias, this proves that the new killer is a woman.”

Tobias studied the cap for a long moment. “Or a man who wore women’s clothes to disguise himself.”

Chapter 6

Downstairs they found Beaumont waiting for them in the library together with his butler, Drum, and a nervous little man who was introduced as Dr. Hughes.

Beaumont appeared even shorter and rounder seated behind his vast desk. Tobias noticed that he had a glass in one hand. Half of the contents had already been consumed.

The spirits had clearly had a medicinal effect upon his nerves. He no longer seemed anxious or uncertain. His lordship was once more firmly in command of his household.

In response to Lavinia’s inquiry, Drum informed them that no one employed on the regular household staff matched her description of the blond maid.

Lavinia brandished the cap. “What of this, may I ask?”

They all stared at the cap.

“I do not doubt that you did, indeed, see Fullerton with a woman,” Beaumont said to Lavinia. “One of the village girls, perhaps. In any event, it is obvious that Fullerton had too much to drink, went in search of a willing wench, and found his way to the roof for a bit of dalliance. What happened next was an extremely unfortunate accident.” He glowered at the doctor. “Is that not correct, Dr. Hughes?”

“Indeed.” Hughes cleared his throat and made an attempt to sit a little taller in his chair. “I have examined the body,” he announced gravely. “There is no doubt in my mind that Fullerton was the victim of an accident.”

Tobias swore silently to himself. It was clear that Beaumont had decided to close the door on the subject of Fullerton’s accident as swiftly as possible. He would not welcome any suggestion of murder.

Lavinia’s brows snapped together. “Sir, Mr. March and I suspect that this
willing wench,
whoever she is, deliberately lured Fullerton up to the roof. We must see if there is anyone who can identify her.”

Beaumont beetled his brows at Drum.

The butler assumed an impassive air. “As his lordship has indicated, the maid was likely one of the village girls taken on temporarily. She no doubt panicked when Lord Fullerton suffered his unfortunate accident and fled the castle before she could be questioned. She certainly had every incentive to disappear. After all, if word spread locally that she had been caught entertaining a gentleman alone on the roof, she would have an extremely difficult task finding other employment in the neighborhood.”

“It is also possible that she is still right here in the castle,” Lavinia said forcefully. “We must assemble the entire staff as well as the guests and question them.”

Beaumont turned red. His mouth opened and closed several times before he finally managed to speak. “Question the guests? Are you mad, Mrs. Lake? You will do no such thing. I forbid it.”

“Sir, we may be talking about a matter of murder.”

“
Fullerton was not murdered.
It was an accident.”

“We have every reason to think—”

“Think what you wish, Mrs. Lake. But this is my house and I will not allow my guests to be inconvenienced any more than they have been already.”

This approach would gain them nothing, Tobias thought. He looked at Beaumont. “You agree that Fullerton was with a woman shortly before he fell but you do not think she had anything to do with his death?”

“The man was in his cups.” Beaumont took a hefty swallow of his brandy and lowered the glass. “He lost his balance. That is the end of the matter. A great tragedy, but certainly not a case of murder.”

It was a pity that Beaumont had recovered from his earlier confusion and had acquired allies in the shape of his butler and the local doctor, Tobias thought. The situation was back under control so far as his lordship was concerned and he had reasserted his authority. One could hardly blame him for not wanting to acknowledge the scandalous possibility of murder. That sort of gossip could hang around for a very long time.

“Sir,” Tobias said evenly, “allow me to tell you that in my professional opinion there are a number of questions relating to this affair that should be answered. With your permission, I would like to continue my inquiries into the matter.”

“That is quite impossible, March.” Beaumont slapped his palms flat on the desk and surged to his feet. “This has gone far enough. There has already been entirely too much disruption in the household. Lady Beaumont is extremely overset.”

Lavinia tapped one toe on the carpet. Tobias could see the fulminating expression in her eyes. He tried to signal her but she ignored his silent warning.

“Lady Beaumont’s concerns are quite understandable, sir,” she said briskly, “but as we have just explained, we may well be dealing with a matter of murder. Surely, under the circumstances, a few discreet questions are warranted. They will pose no great inconvenience to your guests.”

“For the last time, I have determined that this is not a matter of murder.” Beaumont bristled. “And I will be the judge of what constitutes an inconvenience to my guests, madam.”

“Sir, I really must insist that you allow us to investigate,” Lavinia said. “I assure you that we have had experience in this sort of thing and—”

Beaumont reacted very much as Tobias had anticipated. His lordship exploded.

“You insist?” Beaumont’s round face turned an unsightly shade of purple. “You
insist,
Mrs. Lake? Who do you think you are, madam?”

Tobias exhaled deeply and prepared himself for the inevitable. And she had the nerve to accuse him of not being sufficiently diplomatic with clients, he thought.

“It is not your place to insist upon anything in this household,” Beaumont roared. “Not to put too fine a point on it, madam, but neither you nor Mr. March would even be here tonight were it not for the fact that I was induced to repay an old favor to Lord Vale.”

“I quite understand, sir,” Lavinia said hastily. “Indeed, it was very kind of you to extend the invitation to your house party. I can assure you that Mr. March and I have enjoyed ourselves immensely. Everything has been most elegant. Admittedly, my bedchamber is rather small and inadequately furnished, but I suspect that was merely an oversight.”

“What’s this?” Beaumont’s eyes bulged. “Now you wish to complain of the size of your bedchamber?”

“Do not concern yourself, sir. I am certain that it was not your fault that I was removed from a perfectly satisfactory bedchamber on the second floor and sent upstairs to a room that is considerably less desirable.” She waved that aside. “It will do for the short time we are here. Now, then, regarding our theories about events tonight—”

Beaumont gripped the edge of his desk with both pudgy hands and leaned forward in the manner of a bull preparing to charge. “It occurs to me, madam, that as you and March appear to be obsessed with your bizarre theories of foul play, you will doubtless be unable to enjoy the remainder of your stay here.”

“It is kind of you to concern yourself with our pleasure, sir, but there is no need. We shall manage nicely, I’m sure.”

“I don’t see how that will be possible,” Beaumont growled. “Both of you no doubt wish to return to London as soon as possible.”

“No, really—”

“Drum will send a maid and a footman to each of your bedchambers first thing in the morning to assist you in your packing. Your carriage will be waiting for you at nine. On second thought, let’s make that eight-thirty. It is a long trip back to Town. I’m sure you’ll want to set out early.”

Lavinia stared at him for a few seconds, mute with shock. And then outrage leaped in her eyes. Her lips parted.

“Excellent suggestion, sir,” Tobias said before Lavinia could speak. He crossed to her side, clamped a hand around her arm, and drew her toward the door. “Come, Mrs. Lake. We had best go upstairs and see to our travel preparations.”

For a few seconds he thought that she would not follow his lead. He tightened his fingers around her arm in silent warning.

“Yes, of course.” She gave Beaumont a steely smile. “Good night, sir. I do hope that there are no more
accidents
among your guests after we take our leave. Heavens, only consider the possible effects of another such incident. Why, you and your lady might find that your house parties were not quite so fashionable in the future if it got around that guests are inclined to suffer unexplained
accidents
while attending your affairs.”

Tobias winced, but it was too late. The damage had been done.

Beaumont’s whiskers twitched in fury. “How dare you, madam? If you are implying for one moment that I am deliberately attempting to conceal an act of murder—”

“That is certainly open to question, is it not?” Lavinia shot back much too smoothly.

“Enough,” Tobias said in her ear. He looked at Beaumont. “You must make allowances for her, sir. I fear Fullerton’s death has shattered her nerves. You are quite right. It is best that I take her home to London as soon as possible. Never fear, we will be on our way first thing in the morning.”

Beaumont was somewhat mollified. “Mrs. Lake is obviously quite overwrought. I’m sure she will feel much more herself when she is back in her own home.”

Tobias sensed Lavinia preparing a scathing response to that observation. Fortunately, he had got her as far as the door. He managed to haul her through it and out into the corridor before she could add any more fuel to the flames.

He could feel her vibrating with outrage on his arm. The air around her almost sizzled.

“Correct me if I am mistaken,” she said, “but I believe that Beaumont just tossed us out of the castle.”

“Your observation concurs with my own. So much for our jolly little outing in the country. Perhaps you and I were not made for such fashionable entertainments, madam.”

Chapter 7

They started up the main staircase in silence.

“I suppose you feel that it is my fault that we have been asked to leave,” Lavinia said on the first landing.

“Yes, but you need not concern yourself overmuch with the matter. As it happens, I had already concluded that it would be best to return to London.”

She glanced at him, astonished. “But what of our investigation here at the scene of the crime?”

“I believe we have already learned as much as we can here. The killer has completed his work. I doubt he will hang around for long. I would not be surprised if he has already left the neighborhood.”

“Mmm. I take your point. He planned for Fullerton’s death to take place here because he knew that you would be in the immediate vicinity, did he not? He wanted to make certain that you were aware of his handiwork.”

“I suspect that is the case,” Tobias said.

They emerged on Lavinia’s floor and found a small gathering in the narrow hall. Two women of indeterminate years, garbed in chintz wrappers and voluminous nightcaps, stood talking animatedly to a man who appeared to be in his early twenties. It was obvious that Fullerton’s death was the topic of conversation.

“Some of my neighbors on this floor,” Lavinia explained in low tones as they walked toward the group. “Lady Oakes’s hairdresser, Mr. Pierce, and two ladies who are here as companions to two of Beaumont’s guests.”

All three heads turned toward Lavinia and Tobias. Avid curiosity glittered in each pair of eyes, but there was something particularly penetrating about the gazes of the two women, Tobias noticed. They were staring at him with an oddly riveted, albeit slightly dazed expression.

Even if he had not been warned by Lavinia, he would have had no difficulty determining the role of these two, he thought. Both possessed the resigned, self-effacing, slightly faded quality one associated with impoverished ladies who have been obliged to undertake careers as professional companions.

Tobias suspected that the women had gone to bed early this evening. Their posts had likely excluded them from the evening’s festivities. Companions generally found themselves in the same peculiar, uncomfortable, in-between world as governesses. They were not servants, but neither were they the social equals of those they served. The combination of gentle breeding and poverty had doomed them to a profession in which they were expected to keep silent and remain discreetly in the background.

It occurred to him that this late-night gossip about violent death was probably the most exciting thing that had happened to this pair in some time.

He had met only two companions in his entire life who did not fit the usual mold of the species, he reflected: Lavinia and her niece, Emeline. They had not remained in the profession for long, and with good reason. Neither of them possessed a temperament that was suited to such a career.

“Mrs. Lake!” the hairdresser exclaimed. “We were just speaking of you. We feared that perhaps you had been overcome by the ghastly sight down below in the garden. Are you all right? Do you need a vinaigrette?”

“I am fine, thank you, Mr. Pierce.” Lavinia gave him a reassuring smile and then looked at the women. “You must allow me to introduce you. Miss Richards, Miss Gilway, this is my friend, Mr. March.”

Tobias inclined his head. “My pleasure, ladies.”

They both blushed furiously.

“Mr. March.” Miss Gilway beamed.

“Sir,” Miss Richards whispered.

“And this is Mr. Pierce.” Lavinia swept her hand out in a gracefully dramatic gesture, as if heralding the arrival of a noted actor on stage. “He is the one responsible for Lady Oakes’s enchanting headdress this evening. Surely you recall it, sir?”

“Can’t say that I do,” Tobias admitted.

“Tier after tier of the most intricately fashioned curls piled high in the front?” She held her hands above her forehead in a little pyramid shape to demonstrate. “The chignon in back, braided and coiled with more curls across the top? I vow, Lady Oakes looked very impressive.”

“Uh, certainly.” He had no recollection at all of Lady Oakes’s headdress this evening, but he nodded once at Pierce. “Striking.”

“Thank you, sir.” Pierce made a deep bow and assumed a demeanor of artistic modesty. “It came out rather well, I thought. The row of curls at the top of the chignon and the loop around the coil are my own inventions. I consider it my signature.”

“Mmm.”

Lavinia smiled. “I was delayed returning to my bedchamber because Mr. March and I felt the need to make a few inquiries into Lord Fullerton’s accident.”

“I see.” Pierce regarded Tobias with a brief, considering look. “Yes, I recall that you did mention that you and your associate occasionally engaged in a rather odd hobby. Something to do with taking commissions for private inquiries, I believe. But, really, you should not have subjected yourself to such a shocking scene, madam. That sort of thing can give a delicate lady such as yourself nightmares.”

The hairdresser’s concern for Lavinia was irritating. It occurred to Tobias that Pierce was one of those men whom young ladies such as Emeline and her friend Priscilla described as
so terribly romantic looking
.

He was no expert on such matters, he conceded silently, but he was fairly certain that the seemingly negligent arrangement of the curls that tumbled so artlessly over Pierce’s forehead was no random act of nature. Several of Anthony’s acquaintances currently affected a very similar style. Anthony had explained that he had avoided it primarily because it required the use of a dangerously hot curling iron and extended periods of time in front of a mirror.

Pierce appeared to have been interrupted in the act of getting ready for bed. He wore a frilled white shirt and a pair of stylishly pleated trousers. A dashing black ribbon was knotted carelessly around his neck in the tradition set by Byron and the romantic poets. It did little to veil the expanse of bare skin that was exposed in the opening provided by the unfastened shirt.

“What sort of inquiries did you and Mr. March make?” Miss Gilway asked without taking her eyes off Tobias.

“We tried to ascertain that there had been no foul play,” Lavinia said.

“Foul play.”
Miss Richards shared a look of delighted horror with her friend. “Never say it was
murder
?”

“Heavens.” The second woman fanned herself with her hand. “How perfectly dreadful. Who would have thought it?”

“Murder.” Pierce stared at Lavinia. “Are you quite serious, Mrs. Lake?”

It dawned on Tobias that he had seen that same fascinated expression on Anthony’s face. It was the reflection of a young man’s enthusiasm for all matters macabre.

“According to Lord Beaumont and the local doctor, it could not possibly have been a case of murder,” Lavinia said neutrally.

“Oh.” Pierce’s excitement evaporated.

The two companions appeared equally disappointed.

“Thank goodness,” Miss Gilway said politely.

“Such a relief,” Miss Richards added in a dutiful tone. “One would hate to think that there was a murderer running about Beaumont Castle.”

They both returned to gazing fixedly at Tobias.

“Indeed,” Lavinia said. “There is no great cause for concern. I’m sure you will all be quite safe in your beds tonight. Don’t you agree, Tobias?”

“Yes.” He took her arm. “Allow me to see you to your door. The hour grows late, and we must leave early in the morning.”

“You are going back to London tomorrow?” Miss Gilway asked quickly. “Why so soon?”

“Personal business,” Lavinia said coolly. She smiled at the three. “I will say my farewells now, as you will all no doubt be asleep when I depart.”

“I wish you a very pleasant journey, madam.” Pierce made another graceful little bow. “And remember what I said earlier this evening when you went downstairs to the ball. I would be delighted to take you on as a client. I feel I could do wonders with your hair.”

“Thank you, Mr. Pierce, I will bear that in mind.” She hooked her hand under Tobias’s arm and then hesitated. “By the by, speaking of the business of hairdressing, I have a question for you, sir.”

“I am at your service, madam,” Pierce said gallantly. “Would this question by any chance be in regard to the events of this evening?”

“Just a minor point,” she assured him. “In your career you are required to have a great expertise with wigs and false hair and the like, are you not?”

“Every fashionable young lady simply must possess a false chignon or two at the very least,” he said in a voice that rang with absolute conviction. “After a certain age it is imperative that a woman invest in a variety of full wigs. There is simply no alternative available if she wishes to remain in style.”

“You watched the guests go downstairs to the costume ball tonight. Did you by any chance spot any ladies wearing blond wigs?”

“Blond?” Pierce gave a shudder. “Good God, no, madam, I did not. Indeed, I should have been positively horrified if I had seen such a sight.”

Tobias scowled. “Why the devil would you have been shocked? You just said no fashionable woman should be without a couple of wigs.”

“Yes, but not
blond
ones.” Pierce raised his eyes to the heavens, evidently seeking to be delivered from such stupid inquiries. “Really, sir, it is obvious that you know nothing of style. Allow me to inform you that when it comes to wigs, switches, puffs, and the like, blond hair is very nearly as unfashionable as red.”

There was a short, heavy silence. Everyone looked at Lavinia. Her very red hair gleamed in the light of the wall sconce.

It occurred to Tobias that the hairdresser had just insulted her. He fixed Pierce with a hard look.

“I happen to think that Mrs. Lake’s hair suits her perfectly,” he said quietly.

Although he had not raised his voice, Miss Richards and Miss Gilway both flinched. Each took a step back. They were still staring at him, but not with the same peculiar interest they had been displaying. Now they looked as though he had turned into a ravening beast before their eyes.

“Tobias,” Lavinia hissed in a low voice, “stop this at once.”

He was in no mood to stop. He was annoyed. It had been a long, extremely difficult evening.

Pierce seemed oblivious to the fact that he was in some danger. His attention was concentrated on Lavinia.

“Madam, you really must allow me to pay you a visit after we all return to London,” he urged with what appeared to be genuine concern. “There is so much I could do with you. I vow, you would look splendid in a dark brown wig. Such a dramatic contrast with your green eyes.”

Lavinia frowned and raised a hand to touch her hair. “Do you really think so?”

“There is no doubt about it.” Pierce folded one arm across his chest, propped his elbow on it, and stroked his chin in a thoughtful manner. He contemplated Lavinia in the manner of a sculptor studying a half-completed statue. “I can envision the results, and they would be astounding, I assure you. I believe I would use some puffs and a bit of frizzing to add height, of course. You lack the stature required for true elegance.”

“Bloody hell,” Tobias growled. “Mrs. Lake is just the right size, as far as I am concerned.”

Pierce spared him only a fleeting look that somehow managed to sum up every aspect of his appearance and dismiss him out of hand.

The
Cut Direct,
Tobias thought, grimly amused. From a hairdresser, no less.

“Indeed, sir,” Pierce murmured, “you are hardly an authority on fashion, so you are in no position to judge Mrs. Lake’s potential.”

Tobias contemplated the pleasure of ripping Pierce’s head off his shoulders, but he reluctantly abandoned the prospect when he felt Lavinia’s fingers clench very tightly around his elbow. She was right, he thought. It would be a messy project, and the hour grew late.

“You are so kind to give me your professional opinion, Mr. Pierce.” Lavinia smiled her brightest, most polished smile. “I shall consider your offer.”

“Allow me to give you my card.” Pierce whipped one out of the pocket of his trousers and presented it to her with a flourish. “Please feel free to send word to that address when you are ready to move to a higher plane of elegance and style. I shall be delighted to fit you into my schedule.”

“Thank you.” Lavinia took the card and inclined her head in farewell to Miss Richards and Miss Gilway. “Good night. I trust you will all have a safe journey home.”

There was a small chorus of farewells. Pierce retreated to his bedchamber. Miss Gilway and Miss Richards retired to the room they shared.

Tobias and Lavinia continued down the hall.

“Why are you glowering so, sir?” Lavinia opened the door of her bedchamber, stepped into the room, and turned to face him. “I vow, you put me in mind of an oncoming storm.”

Tobias glanced back along the now vacant hall, thinking about the conversation that had just transpired. “Your question to Pierce concerning a blond wig was very astute. It raised some interesting possibilities.”

“Thank you.” She did not trouble to hide her pleasure in the small compliment. “Of course, if blond wigs are so very unfashionable, it stands to reason that the killer would not have purchased one that would stand out in the memory of possible witnesses. Therefore, perhaps it is safe to assume that the murderer is, indeed, a woman who possesses very vivid blond hair.”

“On the contrary, I think we can conclude precisely the opposite.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Consider it closely, Lavinia. The killer’s yellow hair seems to have been his most striking feature. That and the very large cap are the two things that made the strongest impression upon you when you saw the maid in the hall, correct?”

“Yes, but—” She broke off, eyes widening in comprehension. “I understand. You believe the murderer intended those two features to be the most memorable in the event that he was seen by a witness?”

He nodded. “The Memento-Mori Man’s stock-in-trade was a gift for misdirection. If this new killer has patterned himself on such a master, he will favor the same strategy. Therefore, I think we can assume that the blond hair was false. And I am also certain that the female attire was meant to conceal a man.”