Death of a Footman (Riley Rochester Investigates Book 8)

by Wendy Soliman

  ‘What a little scallywag!’ Salter growled as the door closed behind Patrick. ‘I cannot abide hypocrisy.’

  ‘Don’t let it get to you,’ Riley replied with a tired smile. ‘You’ve seen enough to know better.’

  ‘Yeah, but even so, these over-privileged young Johnnies get to me sometimes.’

  ‘And me, Jack, and me. No wonder Ida turned away from her family and looked elsewhere for diversions.’

  Salter scowled. ‘You sound like you approve of her behaviour.’

  ‘I care little either way. None of us know what goes on in other people’s marriages so we are in no position to stand in judgement. But if I had to hazard a guess from what Sir Philip said, I get the impression that he has no interest in the joys of the bedroom.’

  ‘But he has three children.’

  ‘I didn’t say he was incapable, merely that he’s lost interest. He did what he saw as his duty and then immersed himself in his career, which he finds more stimulating. Most wives would be glad to be left alone, one imagines, but Ida is one of the few exceptions that prove that rule. She obviously has either a very high sex drive or a significant lack of self-esteem.’

  ‘Lack of self-esteem?’ Salter dug the end of his pencil into his hair and scratched. ‘I’ve never met anyone more comfortable in her own skin.’

  ‘We don’t know what happened to cause her disgrace in her early years, Jack, but whatever it was blighted her life.’

  ‘And now she wears her tarnished reputation like a badge of honour,’ Salter growled.

  ‘What other option does she have, other than to withdraw into her shell? She’s still an attractive woman, and I happen to know that she was exquisite in her younger days. If I were a gambling man, I would wager a lot on her having been deceived and compromised by some disreputable cove. I will try to find out, but I doubt whether it will have any bearing on this case. Anyway, as I was saying, she probably thinks that satisfying men’s carnal desires is all she’s good for, so she pretends to enjoy it. Perhaps she does enjoy it, in which case it seems unreasonable that she should be asked to suppress her needs simply because her husband has neither the time nor the inclination to satisfy them. If it were the other way around and Sir Philip was obliged to look elsewhere for gratification, you would be far less outraged.’

  ‘Perhaps. But you know me, sir, I don’t approve of adultery, no matter what justification there might be for it. Wedding vows ought to be taken seriously, otherwise what’s the point?’

  ‘A philosophical discussion that we shall save for another day. But for now, time’s getting on and my family is dining with us tonight.’

  ‘Right you are, sir. Anything you need me to do in the meantime?’

  ‘We’ll come at this fresh in the morning, Jack. There are alibis to check, and I suspect that you and I shall be paying a visit to Clapham. I want to talk to Ezra’s family, and to the landlord of the tavern where he spent his last night on this earth. I dare say he had partners in this sporting club venture. It would be useful to find them.’

  The two detectives left the library and Gregg materialised, bearing their hats. They thanked him and left the house. Riley and Salter parted on the pavement. Salter was bound for the railway station. Riley took a cab to Eaton Square, feeling intrigued by the case he was charged with investigating, but aware that he would be distracted from its ramifications for the entire evening.

  ‘Sorry to be so late,’ Riley said, walking into Amelia’s dressing room as she put the final touches to her toilette. ‘Criminals have no consideration for my social obligations.’

  ‘A new case, one assumes,’ Amelia replied, dismissing her maid and then turning up her face to receive Riley’s kiss.

  ‘Salacious too.’

  He told her a little about Ida’s circumstances, and could see that Amelia was both amused and shocked. ‘Poor Sergeant Salter,’ she said. ‘I dare say he is outraged.’

  ‘He’ll get over it.’

  ‘You sound as though you are acquainted with Lady Randall and like her. Should I be worried?’

  ‘I met her at someone’s house not long after I left university.’

  ‘And she attempted to get her claws into you, one imagines.’

  Riley smiled. ‘She terrified me and I had the good sense to steer well clear of her. You won’t know her from our social circle, but there are one or two members of her family who would like to alter that situation.’

  ‘And who have good reason to do away with an inconvenient embarrassment, I dare say.’

  ‘Quite.’ Riley paused to choose his words with care. ‘Naturally, we shall not mention anything about this in front of my mother, although I dare say the evening newspapers have got wind of the death. Hopefully, that is all they will know. Henry will be here tonight and I believe he was once well acquainted with Ida.’

  Amelia bestowed a look of amused surprise upon Riley. ‘Your brother did not resist Ida’s overtures?’

  ‘I very much doubt it, but I have no intention of asking him. It would have been a while ago, before Ida developed a penchant for younger men, and I don’t suppose there’s anything Henry could tell me that would aid my investigation. Besides, we have the dubious pleasure of Celia’s company tonight, and although I have little time for Henry’s wife, I wouldn’t embarrass her or my mother by alluding to Henry’s extramarital activities.’

  ‘Of course you would not, but there’s nothing to prevent you from raising the subject over the port. He’s bound to hear about it and wonder why you didn’t say anything. Now go and get changed, or we will keep your family waiting.’

  ‘Do I have time to pop up to the nursery and see the prune?’

  ‘Of course you do, and I shall come with you. We shall have to look for a new nursemaid soon, by the way. Agnes gave notice today. She is engaged to be married.’

  ‘I am pleased for her in that case, but sorry for you. I know you like her and trust her with Simon.’

  ‘There is plenty of time to find someone else. She won’t be leaving until the end of the summer.’

  With their sleeping son duly admired and fussed over, Amelia made her way downstairs while Riley’s thoughts turned to his evening wear. As always, Stout was ready for him, with a bath drawn and Riley’s evening clothes laid out. As he dried himself off and dressed, Riley explained the specific details of the case to his man. Stout listened to Riley’s account of Ida’s behaviour with barely a raised brow.

  ‘You will have more suspects than you know what to do with, my lord,’ he said calmly. ‘How can I help narrow them down?’

  ‘Gregg, the butler, is a figure of interest. He is very much Sir Philip’s man, and could barely disguise his disapproval of Ida’s behaviour.’

  ‘And you imagine that he would take it upon himself to remove the embarrassment, regardless of the fact that Sir Philip claims not to mind about it?’

  ‘The thought crossed my mind, Stout. There’s something about Gregg’s superior attitude that rankles. I admire his loyalty to Sir Philip, but his disdain for Ida was insulting, especially since he must be aware that she pays his wages. I didn’t take to him and I am convinced that he’s holding something back.’

  ‘I don’t think I’ve ever laid eyes on the man, but I dare say I can find people who know of him. I assume you would like me to see what I can discover.’

  ‘Good man, Stout. Get on it first thing.’

  ‘I will go out and put enquiries in hand immediately, if you don’t need me until later.’

  ‘Better yet.’ Riley straightened his tie, slipped his arms into the coat that Stout held out for him and made his way downstairs, arriving in the hallway mere seconds before Norris opened the front door to admit his family.

  His mother swept into the drawing room in her customary manner, her nose in the air and her eyes sweeping the room for something to criticise. She was a stickler for standards, but Sophia, Riley’s beloved niece who now spent a great deal of her time with her grandmother and was as natur
al as sunshine, was having a beneficial effect upon her.

  ‘There you are, Riley,’ his mother said, proffering a cheek for a kiss. Riley duly obliged, wondering who else it was that she had expected to see.

  ‘Good evening, Mother. Cabbage.’

  He opened his arms to his niece and gave her an affectionate squeeze when she threw herself into them, wondering if the time had come to be a little less demonstrative with the girl, who was no longer a child but a young woman on the brink of her first season. But if Sophia was embarrassed by Riley’s blatant preference for her, she didn’t appear to mind and flung her arms around his neck in her usual abandoned fashion. Riley heard his mother tut, but also noticed a quick smile disturbing her otherwise stern expression.

  Riley greeted his brother and sister-in-law less effusively. His sister Martha was present with her husband, Daniel, the Viscount Gaston, and they were both welcomed with open affection.

  ‘Have you spent your day investigating gruesome murders, Uncle Riley?’ Sophia asked when they were all seated and drinks had been served.

  ‘Really, Sophia,’ Riley’s mother scolded. ‘I cannot imagine where you acquired such a bloodthirsty streak.’

  ‘Oh, I expect it runs in the family, Grandmamma.’ She glanced at Riley, who couldn’t help laughing.

  ‘Don’t encourage her, Riley,’ his mother said, failing to sound severe. ‘She will never find a respectable husband if she doesn’t learn to behave with more decorum.’

  ‘I am not sure that I want a husband, Grandmamma,’ Sophia replied, her eyes sparkling with mischievous disobedience. ‘And certainly not a respectable one.’

  Everyone laughed, even Riley’s mother.

  ‘Amelia and I have news,’ Riley said. ‘We have decided to establish ourselves outside of London with our growing family.’

  ‘You’re always welcome at Chichester Hall,’ Henry said without hesitation, either not noticing or ignoring his wife’s scowl.

  ‘Does this mean you are giving up that ridiculous occupation of yours? It rather lowers the tone,’ his mother asked, brightening considerably.

  ‘Thank you, Henry. And I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mother, but no. We have found a modest estate in Bromley, a convenient distance from London, and I am in the process of purchasing it.’

  Amelia answered the barrage of questions thrown her way with diplomacy and grace. Once his relatives had run out of things to ask, Riley took Amelia’s hand.

  ‘You none of you picked up upon my comment about a growing family,’ he remarked, smiling at his wife.

  The penny dropped and everyone expressed their pleasure, taking turns to embrace Amelia. His mother, Riley noticed, looked positively delighted. Even Celia managed the suggestion of a smile that had no spite behind it.

  ‘You don’t let the grass grow under your feet, I’ll say that much for you,’ Henry said, pumping Riley’s hand.

  After dinner, Riley sat with Henry and Daniel. Deciding to follow Amelia’s suggestion, he raised the subject of his current investigation.

  ‘Ida Randall, eh?’ Henry chuckled. ‘She was a spry little thing in her day.’

  ‘She hasn’t changed a bit,’ Riley replied.

  ‘Do I know her?’ Daniel asked.

  ‘I doubt it,’ Henry said. ‘Not in our circle, but her husband, Sir Philip Randall, makes himself indispensable at Whitehall.’

  ‘Ah, politics.’ Daniel lost interest and applied himself to his port.

  ‘Ida and the footman who met an unfortunate end—and this is strictly between us,’ Riley said, ‘were very good friends.’

  Henry chuckled. ‘Somehow I’m not surprised. Rich as Croesus, Ida’s father was, and it all went to her. She could have taken her pick from the cream of society, being beautiful and wealthy, but there was a blot on her reputation. Not sure what it was all about. If she’d been one of us, I don’t suppose it would have mattered and it would’ve been swept under the rug. But coming from the middle classes as she did, she couldn’t expect to join our ranks with anything other than a pristine reputation, no matter how wealthy or desirable she might be. Double standards, I know, but we all understand how these things work.’

  ‘Any idea what she did to ruin her name?’ Riley asked, toying with the stem of his glass.

  ‘Funny you should ask, but no. I knew her in the biblical sense a few years back, after the delights of marriage had started to pall, but we never spoke about anything serious. And it didn’t last for long. I think I was too old and set in my ways for her.’

  ‘Ah well, not to worry. I don’t suppose it has any bearing on my case, so it’s none of my business.'

  ‘Remember me to her when you see her again.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘Don’t hog the decanter, Daniel, there’s a good chap.’

  ‘Sorry.’ Daniel topped up his glass and passed the decanter to Henry.

  ‘Actually,’ Henry said, leaning back in his chair, looking pensive, ‘I do recall a bit of a to-do between Ida’s father and young Buckingham.’

  ‘The Earl of Buckingham?’ Riley asked, sitting forward.

  ‘He is now, but I seem to recall that he was besotted with the chit when he was still wet behind the ears himself. Of course, his father had far loftier ideas for his son and heir…’

  ‘You think he compromised her, vowed to marry her when he came of age, but the father put a stop to it?’ Riley nodded, as though answering his own question. ‘Well, that would explain it, I suppose, but we’re talking twenty-five years ago.’

  ‘Buckingham has pockets to let nowadays,’ Daniel said. ‘I saw him at White’s the other day. He tried to tap me for a loan. Bad form, that, and he should know it.’

  Yes, Riley thought, it was, but it hardly seemed relevant so he stored the snippet of information away at the back of his mind.

  Chapter Five

  ‘Your mother, Martha and Sophia are keen to have me take them down to Bromley today so that they can see Ashdown for themselves,’ Amelia told Riley the following morning. ‘They are almost as excited as we are—although your mother, of course, is trying to pretend not to be. Would it be possible for me to show it off to them?’

  ‘Of course, my love. I will have Stout drive you.’

  ‘Thank you. I shall enjoy sharing my ideas with them.’

  Riley, on the point of leaving for Scotland Yard, leaned over to kiss first his wife and then his son, who was crawling across the rug in front of the morning room fire. ‘Just don’t allow my mother to take over, otherwise I dread to think how the décor will turn out.’

  Amelia smiled. ‘Don’t worry, I can handle her.’

  ‘In which case, you must let me know how you do it, since none of us have ever managed to. But not now. Much as I would prefer to remain here with you, I have a murderer to catch, so I must go. I shall see you this evening, both of you. Enjoy your day out, my love.’

  ‘Be careful,’ Amelia said, as she always did.

  Riley took a cab to Scotland Yard, ruminating upon Stout’s uncharacteristic failure. Thus far he hadn’t been able to find anyone who could tell him anything the least bit helpful about Ida’s recalcitrant butler, Gregg. Unaccustomed to failure, Stout was highly incensed and determined to have more success that day. Driving Amelia to the country would not preclude him from setting others to ferret out any interesting snippets of information that might be had. Perhaps there was nothing to be found, but Riley remained to be convinced on that score. He had yet to have any person come to his professional attention who didn’t have something to hide.

  ‘Morning, sir,’ Salter said, when Riley reached his office.

  ‘Good morning, Jack. If the others are all here, let’s convene in a few minutes and compare notes.’

  By the time Riley had settled in and read the messages that awaited him, none of which referred to Ezra’s case, his team of detectives had joined him.

  ‘Well, gentlemen,’ he said, leaning back in his chair. ‘What developments have there been?
’

  ‘James, the footman, sir,’ Carter said. ‘He didn’t quite tell you the truth.’

  ‘Now there’s a surprise,’ Salter replied, rolling his eyes.

  ‘You tracked down the young lady he was with, I take it,’ Riley said.

  ‘Yes, sir. She confirms that they went to the Canterbury Music Hall in Lambeth, but says they went for the matinee.’

  ‘Ah, I see,’ Riley said, rubbing the side of his finger thoughtfully against his lips as he wondered at the clumsiness of the lie. The young man must have realised they would check his story but presumably thought that his lady friend would lie for him also.

  ‘She said they had a nice fish supper afterwards, and James had her back at her lodgings by eight in the evening. Told her there was somewhere he needed to be, evidently, but didn’t say where. Molly had to be at her duties early the next day, so that suited her and she didn’t press him, not wanting to seem too possessive and frighten him off, as she put it.’

  ‘Well, well. I wonder where he took himself off to,’ Salter said, rubbing his hands together gleefully. ‘Want me to bring him in, sir?’

  ‘Not yet, Jack. Have a little patience. There could be any number of explanations.’

  ‘For lying to us?’

  Riley chuckled. ‘It’s not the first time. You and I shall go to Clapham later this morning, and it will be useful to know if anyone answering James’s description was seen in that tavern. If we can put him there, then you have my permission to grill him. Right, you three,’ he said, focusing his attention upon his detective constables, ‘while Salter and I are in Clapham I need you to verify the alibis of Lady Randall’s children. ‘The elder son, Gideon, claims to have been in the arms of one Arabella Steel, an expensive courtesan with premises in Brooke Street. Salter will give you the full address. Call and see the lady and pin her down on the times that Gideon arrived and left.’

  ‘Him being otherwise engaged leaves his shrew of a wife free to remove a man she disapproved of,’ Salter pointed out. ‘I know we already had this discussion and agreed that she couldn’t have done it herself, but we do know that Ezra was seen with a woman and that he was drugged, so that makes a difference.’