by Ella Edon
Except for the clear finger marks around her neck. Alexander shivered.
“She was a pretty woman for her age.”
Lee arched an eyebrow. “Her age?”
“Well, she’s old enough to be my mother and she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring that I saw.”
“Miss White never married.” Lee shrugged. “My mother asked her about that once, and she said she couldn’t find the right man when she was of age. I believe she was at Saint Cecilia’s nunnery for a while and found her calling as a midwife.”
“A nun who relapsed.” Alexander grunted. “That’s not something you hear every day.”
“As far as I know, she never betrayed her vows. She just went out into the world and helped bring others into said world.” Lee moved away from the pond, grimacing as his boots got stuck in the mud. They made a squelching noise as he tugged his feet up. “I know several men have offered her marriage over the years, but Miss White always stayed true to her faith.”
“Would one of those gentlemen have murdered her?” Alexander asked.
“For refusing to marry her? It’s unlikely.” Lee sighed. “But I can’t rule it out.”
Alexander spread his hands. “You have to start somewhere.”
Lee glared at him. “You certainly haven’t changed. Your comments have always been spritely.”
“I like to conform to type.”
Lee grunted, then looked in the direction of the house, barely visible through the trees.
“I need to speak to Lady Jane. I need her account on what she saw.”
“She didn’t see much.”
“Even so…”
Alexander sighed. He didn’t think Jane saw anything beyond a body floating in the water, and he had hustled her away as quickly as he could. But he wasn’t about to argue that point with Lee. The gentleman was very steadfast in his decisions. It would take a lot to make him shift away from it.
“Well, if you can get past her father, you can talk to her. He’s rather...over-protective of her.”
“I know. He’s been like that since Lady Jane was a baby.” Lee shook his head. “The miracle child, and they treat her like she’s glass.”
Alexander snorted. “No wonder she has some spoiled brat tendencies.”
“And yet you’re willing to spend time with her…” Lee paused a little too long. “Alone.”
Alexander glared at him. “Would you stop insinuating something? I have not done anything inappropriate with Lady Jane Malcolm. I wouldn’t.”
The two gentlemen stared at each other. Lee was a family friend, a close friend of Alexander’s brother. He would have heard a certain version about Alexander, one that Alexander hadn’t bothered to deny over the years. Until now. With regard to Jane Malcolm, Alexander wanted everything set straight. She didn’t deserve to be dragged down by a reputation he had created for himself. She was too innocent for that. She deserved better.
Lee was the one to back down first. He sighed and looked down at his feet.
“Let’s get up to the house. My boots are going to be ruined with all this mud.”
“Your boots are ruined?” Alexander gestured at himself. “I need a change of clothes.”
“Fair point.” Lee paused. “If you want, I’ll wait for you to change. Give you something to do if you want to help me out.”
The offer momentarily threw Alexander. He hadn’t expected that, but it wasn’t unwelcome. He would have stuck his nose into it regardless, going his own way to figure out what had happened. There was an inquisitive side that wouldn’t be sated until Alexander knew what was going on, especially seeing as Jane had seen the body. He wanted to put her mind at rest.
Why was he getting so focused on Jane? Alexander needed to bring himself back under control and think more clearly, otherwise he was going to get himself into a situation he couldn’t get out of.
He swallowed and nodded. “I would appreciate that.”
* * *
It didn’t take long for Alexander to change clothes. He had been given one of the under-footmen to help him dress and undress, a young man his age called Levington, so it was simply a case of peeling off the soaking wet clothes, and putting on fresh clothes. Levington had told Alexander that he needed to have a bath or he could catch a cold, but Alexander refused. He could have a bath later.
After rubbing his hair dry and feeling less like a drowned rat, Alexander headed downstairs. Lee was in the drawing room on his own, pacing around so much Alexander was surprised that there wasn’t a hole in the floor. Lee stopped as Alexander came in, casting an eye over his attire.
“At least you don’t look drowned anymore.”
“You certainly know how to charm people, don’t you?” Alexander snorted. “Have you spoken to Lord and Lady Crawley yet?”
“I sent word to Lord Crawley that I wanted to speak to him. He has yet to grace my presence.”
“Even though you are the magistrate and the Marquess of Surrey?”
Lee shrugged. “Lord Crawley goes by seniority in terms of age, not rank. It makes conversing with him when I’m trying to be the one in charge really difficult.”
Alexander could imagine. Lord Crawley was a formidable man, even in his old age. It would be difficult to get a gentleman like him to change his mindset anytime soon.
He was just sitting down on a chair when the door opened. Alexander immediately jumped to his feet and bowed as Lord Crawley came striding into the room. He gave Lee a sharp nod.
“Lord Surrey.” Then Lord Crawley stopped and scowled when he saw Alexander. “Mr. Harrison. What are you doing in here?”
“Mr. Harrison is helping me with my enquiries, Lord Crawley,” Lee answered.
“Enquiries to what?”
Lee glanced at Alexander, who spread his hands. “I guess nobody’s told him yet. I did tell them to notify Lord Crawley about the situation.”
“Told me what?” Crawley looked from one man to the other. “What situation? Why is Lord Surrey here?”
Lee took a deep breath and squared his shoulders.
“Mr. Harrison found a body in the pond this morning.”
Crawley’s eyes widened. “He what? A body?”
“It looks like foul play.” Lee glanced at Alexander. “It was Megan White.”
Chapter Nine
Alexander saw the color drain from the Earl’s face. Lord Crawley swayed, and Alexander instinctively hurried to his side. Lord Crawley ended up clutching onto him as his legs buckled. Holding him up, Alexander led him to the couch and eased him onto the cushions.
“My Lord?” He knelt before the old man. “Do you want me to get you a brandy?”
“No, I... I’ll be all right. Oh, God.” Lord Crawley’s hand was shaking as he ran it through his hair. “Megan’s dead? I can’t believe it.”
He looked like he was about to faint. Alexander ignored what he had been told and hurried over to the drink cabinet. Pouring out a generous amount of brandy, he brought the glass to the Earl and pressed it into Lord Crawley’s hand. Lord Crawley lifted it to his mouth and took a hefty swig, almost dropping the glass as he heavily lowered his arm. Alexander caught the glass, the brandy sloshing over his hand, and moved it to a nearby table as Crawley slumped on the cushions.
“She was a saint, that woman. Megan wouldn’t hurt a fly. And someone killed her?”
Alexander was a little thrown. He was used to seeing the old, crotchety gentleman who expected his rule to be obeyed at any cost. Now he was a shadow of his former self. The shock had hit him hard.
“You knew her well, Lord Crawley?” Lee asked.
“Yes, I did. Her mother brought my children into the world.” Lord Crawley swallowed, licking his lips. “Everyone loves her...loved her, I mean. How...how did she die?”
“We don’t know. My personal physician is going to look over her body and let me know.”
“I see.” Lord Crawley took a deep breath. “I would say ask Mr. Elliott, but nobody’s heard from him in some weeks.
Nobody knows where he is.”
Alexander glanced at Lee, but the other man’s expression hadn’t changed. He was focused on the Earl.
“When was the last time you saw Miss White, Lord Crawley?” Lee asked.
“I don’t really know. About two weeks ago, maybe three. She was always on the move, going around helping people in the town and the surrounding areas.” Lord Crawley shook his head. “I don’t think she ever had a day off.”
“She was a dedicated woman, then,” Alexander murmured.
“Very dedicated.”
Alexander moved to sit on the couch beside the old gentleman.
“Would there be a reason that Miss White’s body was left on your land?”
“You think she was murdered on the estate?”
“We don’t know yet.” Lee shot Alexander a sharp look. “There is that to consider, and we have to cover everything.”
“Or someone could have murdered her elsewhere and put her here to pin the blame on me,” Lord Crawley said shakily.
“There is that as well.” Lee put his hands behind his back. “Do you have any enemies, Lord Crawley? I’m guessing you might have accumulated a few over the years.”
Lord Crawley grunted. “I do have a couple, but none of them would resort to murder. Most of them are dead, anyway. And if that was the case, it wouldn’t make any sense to go after Megan. They would go after my children.”
“Perhaps Miss White had something on you that the killer needed.”
“That still doesn’t make any sense.”
The Earl was still shaking. Alexander had a sudden urge to reach out and give him some comfort, but he stopped himself. The Earl was as strong as an ox, and just as stubborn. He wouldn’t appreciate Alexander attempting to soothe him.
“I’m going to need to talk to your daughter, Lord Crawley.”
Lord Crawley’s head shot up. “Is that really necessary?”
“I understand it’s not something you’re comfortable with, but Lady Jane was present when the body was discovered. I need to talk to everyone.”
At least he hadn’t mentioned that Alexander had also been present at the time, or Lord Crawley really would be asking questions himself. He certainly wouldn’t be happy about it.
Lord Crawley straightened up and fixed Lee with a stern gaze. “You can give your questions to me, Lord Surrey. I can speak for her.”
Alexander shook his head. “With respect, Lord Crawley, Lady Jane can speak for herself. She’s a grown lady, and Lord Surrey needs to do his job.”
The Earl glared at him. “Do you always talk to your peers in that way, Mr. Harrison?”
“I’ve had a lot of practice.” Alexander stood. “And Lady Jane can answer what Lord Surrey needs to ask her about on her own.”
For a moment, he thought that Lord Crawley was going to refuse, but then the Earl let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “All right. As far as I’m aware, she’s in her room. But I don’t want you alone with her, Mr. Harrison.” He leveled a fierce scowl at Alexander. “I don’t want you near her at all.”
“Mr. Harrison is helping me with my enquiries, Lord Crawley,” Lee put in sharply. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“I hope so,” Lord Crawley growled. He rose to his feet. “The Harrison family are more trouble than they are worth, if you ask me.”
Then with a final glare in Alexander’s direction, he stalked out of the room. He was wobbling a little, bumping into the doorframe, but he left upright. Alexander rose to his feet. The swift change of emotions with a woman was one thing to get used to, but Lord Crawley seemed to have it down to a fine art. He’d gone from anger, to distraught, and back to anger again.
“What was that all about?”
Alexander sighed. “I guess he’s still not over Elizabeth’s death.”
“Elizabeth?” Lee arched an eyebrow. “But she died over a decade ago, didn’t she?”
“She did.” Alexander spread his hands. “Some things never leave you.”
He had learned that the hard way, but Alexander wasn’t about to divulge that part to Lee. He didn’t want any further questions directed at him.
* * *
There was a knock at the door. Jane looked up to see the door opening and Claire peering into the room.
“My Lady, Lord Surrey and Mr. Harrison are in the parlor. They want to speak with you.”
Her tears had long since gone. Jane was too tired to cry any further. Her throat was sore, making it harder to breathe. Taking a sip of water, Jane rose to her feet.
“I’ll talk to them.” She walked to the parlor, with Claire trailing behind her.
She didn’t have anything to fear from Lord Surrey, and Jane didn’t think anything would happen with Alexander. He had been a gentleman to her since they first met. If anything was to happen, it would have by now.
Wouldn’t it?
Claire opened the door for her and they entered. Lord Surrey and Alexander both stood. Jane caught Alexander’s gaze and they stared at each other.
Alexander’s expression was grim. He was in fresh clothes and his hair was still damp, standing up on end. He was pale. Jane was surprised that he was still upright.
A part of her suddenly wanted to go over to him and embrace him, just to make him feel a little better. This startled Jane. Where had that come from?
She put the glass of water on the table and crossed the room towards them.
“Lord Surrey. I wish we didn’t have to meet again under such circumstances.”
“Lady Jane.” Surrey said with a slight bow. “How are you feeling, My Lady?”
“I’m fine.” Jane looked down at her hands. They were still trembling. “I think. I’m still a little shaken. It’s not every day that I see a dead body.”
“I understand. It’s not something someone should be used to.” Surrey paused. “I do need to ask you some questions about Megan White.”
“That was who was in the water?”
Alexander nodded. Jane took a moment to let that sink in. Megan White. She was a nice woman, who always seemed to be smiling despite being constantly on the move. It was hard to believe she was the dead body. Jane took a deep breath and went back to a seat by the window, settling down and smoothing out her skirts.
“I’ll do my best, My Lord,” she said. “I don’t think I can be much help, though.”
Lord Surrey gave her a smile and approached a chair beside her, settling down and sitting forward.
“Well, why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”
“All right.”
Lord Surrey asked his questions. A lot of them. Jane did her best to answer them, but mostly she felt at a loss. She didn’t really know anything, and she hadn’t seen Megan in a long time. Being a healthy young lady who had never been pregnant, she wasn’t in need of a midwife, and neither had anyone else at the estate. She had no idea why Megan would be on the grounds by the pond in the first place. All of the cottages her father owned and rented out were on the other side of the estate where it wasn’t marshland.
As she answered the Marquess, Jane was very much aware of Alexander. He was still in the room, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. His eyes never left her, and there was an intensity in his eyes that made Jane shiver. It wasn’t hard to imagine why any female would find him attractive. She could see that herself. Still, he was certainly not the kind of gentleman she should be getting involved with, even as an acquaintance.
So why was she wanting to ignore all the warning signs about him? That unnerved her more than anything.
Lord Surrey finished asking her questions, and Jane just felt drained. Her whole body was just exhausted. She shrugged and gave Lord Surrey an embarrassed grimace.
“I told you that I wouldn’t be much help, My Lord.”
“You’ve helped by answering my questions, Lady Jane. That was enough for me.” Lord Surrey rose to his feet and bowed. “Thank you, My Lady. I’ll leave you to it.”
“Thank you, My Lord.�
�� Jane rose to her feet and dropped to a curtsy. “I hope you find whoever hurt her.”
Lord Surrey simply nodded in return. Then he headed towards the door. It was only when he had his hand on the doorknob that he realized that Alexander wasn’t following him.
“Mr. Harrison?”
