Only a Rogue Knows

by Rebecca Lovell

  “Did anyone else see any of this?” The General looked closely at Cordelia. “The lovers, I mean? I believe you of course, my dear, but if this goes to court you’re going to want a witness.”

  “Yes,” she replied. “My lady’s maid, Patricia. In fact, she’s the one who brought it to my attention that he was having an affair while I was right downstairs. She’s a very sweet girl, very honest and dependable. She was also with me when I discovered his body.”

  “If all this was going on, it seems obvious to me that one of Arthur’s lovers may have had something to do with the murder,” the General said. “I’m sure it’s crossed your mind as well. Have either of you mentioned this to the police?”

  “I haven’t,” Victor said. “I didn’t want to do so without evidence, or without Cordelia’s consent. It didn’t seem my place to do so.”

  “Nor have I,” Cordelia said. “Somehow I feel as if I’d be dishonoring Arthur’s memory. I know that sounds a bit silly but it’s how I feel. Not only that, I don’t want people to blame me for his indiscretions. It’s made me feel a bit like a bad wife.”

  “You’re not a bad wife!” Birdie jumped up from her seat and went to hug her sister. “Poor Delia, you’ve been through so much.”

  “Thank you, darling,” Cordelia said. “It means a lot to hear you say that.” She turned to the General. “Thank you too, Richard. I know this is a lot for you to hear all at once. Thank you as well for talking to the police. I’m so glad you married my sister.”

  “Think nothing of it, my dear,” he said. “If there’s one thing I won’t stand for, it’s someone bullying a lady, especially a new widow.”

  “Speaking of Ladies and widows,” Birdie said, looking at Victor. “Does Delia still keep her title? And will she inherit Arthur’s estate?”

  “Seeing as how she and Arthur were still married at the time of his death, and that Arthur’s will specifies her as the sole beneficiary, she almost certainly will. It still has to go through the proper channels but once the police finish their investigation and clear her of any wrongdoing Cordelia should inherit the entire estate. I don’t know about keeping the title but everything else is hers.” He smiled. “In spite of all that happened, he did keep his promise to take care of you.”

  “What if I don’t want it?”

  “It’s yours to do with as you see fit,” Victor said with a shrug. “Put it in trust for your children if you like, or donate it all to charity. Whatever you wish. You don’t have to decide right now, you have plenty of time to think it over.” Silence filled the room. No one seemed to know what to say, and Victor was relieved when someone finally spoke.

  “I don’t know about you,” the General said, “but I’m quite hungry.”

  “As am I,” Cordelia said. “Lunch should be ready soon. I’m not sure what’s on the menu but I did hope Victor would come back out so I took the liberty of telling the cook that we’d have four for lunch.” Birdie grinned brightly and her face turned red. “What? Did I say something funny?”

  “More like five,” she said, and immediately all eyes were on her. “I was going to tell you all after the party but then everything turned a bit crazy. Now seemed like s good a time as any, though. We could all use some good news.”

  “A baby? Birdie, that’s wonderful news!” Cordelia jumped up and hugged her sister tightly while Victor shook hands with the General, who looked stunned by his wife’s words.

  “Good work, General,” Victor said. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you,” the General said, then went to his wife. She looked up at him and he put his arms around her, pulling her close. “Nothing could make me happier, my dear. The way you care for Walter with so much love in spite of the fact that he’s not yours makes me certain you’ll be a fine mother. I simply cannot wait to grow our family with you.”

  “Let’s give them some privacy,” Victor said, touching Cordelia’s arm. She nodded and followed him into the hallway. As soon as the door was closed, she turned to Victor.

  “I’m sure they’re going to want to go back to Elston now,” Cordelia said. “To give the General’s family the good news.”

  “How many children does the General have?”

  “Just one. A boy from his previous wife.” She smiled. “It took him a little while to get used to Birdie because she’s so young but they’ve grown quite close. She’s had her challenges but she’s been an excellent mother.” Cordelia sighed. “I hope I’m able to be as good a mother someday.”

  “I’m sure you will be,” Victor said, pulling her close. “Someday. If they go back to Elston, will you be all right staying here by yourself?”

  “I don’t know,” Cordelia said. “This place was always too big, even with Arthur here, but now it feels like it’s haunted.” She leaned against Victor’s chest and he tightened his arms around her. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to stay here with me?”

  “Aren’t you worried about what people will think of you?” For his part, Victor could care less what people thought of him. People had been saying things behind his back for years, often with good reason, but he didn’t want to make things harder for Cordelia. She smiled up at him.

  “I’m sure the police already have people thinking I murdered Arthur for his money. How much worse could people think of me?” The door opened behind them and the Ellisons came out, the General’s arm around Birdie’s waist. It looked like Birdie had been crying but her face was shining with happiness. Victor hoped he could one day see Cordelia like that.

  “Well,” the General said with a grin. “Any word on lunch?”

  Nineteen

  In spite of the shadow of the investigation hanging over Cordelia’s head, Arthur’s funeral went ahead as planned. Word of his indiscretions hadn’t gotten around to society circles the way it had been whispered in the pubs, so there were quite a few people around his grave when his casket was lowered into the earth. Not as many as his father, but he hadn’t been as well known.

  If anyone thought it was unusual that Cordelia wasn’t crying much, they didn’t remark on it. She stood like a statue beside the grave, thanking people for their condolences and letting them clasp her hand before they walked away. The entire time, all she could think about was going home and working on her music. Maurice had been surprised that she wanted to keep their appointment for her next lesson but he’d agreed all the same, telling her that music would take her mind off her sadness.

  Victor had been spending the night with her at the Whittemore estate so she wouldn’t feel quite so uneasy, and while no one was talking about Arthur’s affairs Cordelia had heard more than one person whisper about her as she passed in Greenley.

  It was almost as improper to be seen out of her house while she was in mourning as it was to have a single man staying in the estate with her, but because Birdie and the General were also in residence the gossip was somewhat subdued. After the way he had stood up to the chief of police, no one wanted to get in the General’s bad books. He and his wife were set to return to Elston after the funeral, though, so the talk would surely begin in earnest once they did.

  “It was a lovely funeral,” the last mourner, an older woman in a very old-fashioned black dress, was saying to Cordelia with a sad smile as she shook her head. “Poor Arthur. Such a tragedy to be taken from us so young. Have the police found anything out yet?”

  “Not yet,” Cordelia said. “I’m sure they’ll inform me when they do.” She looked up and saw Victor talking to Birdie and the General, then turned back to the woman.

  “If you need anything at all, please let me know.” She patted Cordelia’s hand, then went in the direction of the church where her carriage was no doubt located. Cordelia watched her go, then joined Victor and her family.

  “I’m glad that’s over,” Cordelia said, brushing aside the black veil that covered her face. “Is everything all right? You all look so serious.”

  “It’s a funeral,” Victor said. “We’re supposed to loo
k serious.” He had been very careful not to show any affection toward Cordelia in public. As far as the majority of people in town knew, the rumors about her and Victor were just rumors. Even when they were trying to ruin someone’s reputation, the police knew better than to spread gossip about a grieving widow and her solicitor.

  Cordelia rode back to the estate with Birdie and the General, while Victor rode his horse just behind them. Birdie kept her sister’s mind occupied with her opinion of everyone at the funeral, and this time when her husband looked at her with bemused affection Cordelia wasn’t jealous in the least.

  As soon as she got back to the manor, Cordelia went upstairs and took off her black hat and veil. She tossed it on her bed as Patricia came in with a smile.

  “How was the funeral, ma’am?”

  “To be honest, Patricia, it was extremely boring. I would have much rather spent my time here practicing.” She sighed. “I trust you’ll keep that between the two of us.”

  “Of course, ma’am. Your hair is a bit flat, would you like me to try and fix it a bit before you go back downstairs?” Since Mrs. Richmond had been ill, Patricia seemed to have gained a bit of confidence and Cordelia hoped it would continue when the old woman returned. She was very fond of Patricia and wanted her to be comfortable in her new role.

  “No thank you,” Cordelia said. “I’m not going to be leaving the house again today and I may wish to take a nap.”

  “That sounds quite pleasant. I wish I had the time to take a nap,” she said with a smile, then put a hand to her mouth. “I’m so sorry, ma’am, I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful!”

  “You didn’t in the least,” Cordelia said. “If you like, you can take a nap. Just tell people that you have a headache, it always works for me.” This made Patricia laugh and Cordelia smiled. “I’m going downstairs. I’ll call for you when I want to rest.”

  “Very well, ma’am. Thank you.” She started to go and Cordelia couldn’t help feeling a bit of affection for the girl. She supposed you couldn’t find a dead body with someone and not feel close to them. To think she’d almost dismissed her.

  She found Victor and the Ellisons in the sitting room and Birdie met her at the door, taking her hands. Victor was talking to the General, and both men looked over at the women.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “Oh, yes of course. We were just telling Victor that we need to be going back home,” Birdie said, and Cordelia was pleased to hear that she was using his first name. “Walter will be giving Miss Carroll fits by now and I want to give him the good news.”

  “Of course,” Cordelia said. “Did you need help packing your things?”

  “They’re already packed and ready,” Birdie said. “Your Patricia is so helpful, she did it while we were at the funeral. At my request of course.”

  “Yes, she’s wonderful,” Cordelia agreed. “Such a quick learner, it’s sometimes hard to believe she wasn’t a lady’s maid before she came to us. I’m glad I have such a sweet girl looking after me.”

  “As am I,” Birdie said. “It means you’ll be taken care of after we go.”

  “Don’t worry about that, you just take care of yourself.” She squeezed Birdie’s tiny hands. “I’m grateful you stayed as long as you did.”

  “I wanted to stay until Mrs. Richmond was better,” Birdie said, a hint of sadness in her voice. “She’s getting the care she needs, though, so I suppose I shouldn’t complain.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Cordelia said with a smile. “In fact, I was planning to go to town to check on her so she’ll have the opportunity to lecture me about being out in public. She’s stronger than most women her age.”

  “She’s a tough old bird, that’s for certain,” the General said. “I have no doubt she’ll live to see our child come into the world.”

  “Of course she will,” Birdie said. “She’d never pass up the chance to tell me exactly how a lady is supposed to behave when she’s giving birth.” They laughed at this thought and Cordelia hugged her little sister tightly.

  “Take care, Birdie. I hope you’ll visit me while you’re still able.”

  “Nothing’s going to keep me away from my big sister,” Birdie said. She put a hand in front of her abdomen with a grin. “I’ll be out to here and still coming to hear you play piano. They say music is very good for babies.” She linked arms with Cordelia and they walked to her carriage. The trunk containing the clothes they’d bought while they were staying in town was strapped to the rear board of the carriage, and the driver opened the door. The General helped his wife into the cab before getting in himself, and the driver closed the door. Birdie scooted closer to the window and leaned out. “’Bye, Delia!”

  “Goodbye, darling,” Cordelia said as the driver snapped the reins and the carriage began to move forward. Birdie continued to lean out the window and wave to her until they were at the end of the drive, then pulled herself back inside. Cordelia watched until the carriage disappeared into the woods, then turned to Victor.

  “Are you certain you want to go into town?” Victor took her hands the same way Birdie had done, but it somehow felt different. More intimate. She liked it. “I know it’ll be a bit lonely without your sister and the General but Mrs. Richmond would be right. You shouldn’t be seen around town too much while you’re in mourning.”

  “It’s ridiculous,” Cordelia said. “My husband was having affairs all over town and I’m expected to keep myself closed in the house for a year, and wear these dreadful black dresses besides.” She sighed heavily. “I suppose I should at least keep up appearances until the investigation is finished. I can worry about what society thinks of me after that.” Victor rubbed the backs of her hands with his thumbs.

  “It’s overrated,” he said. “At least in my opinion.” He nodded toward Cordelia’s carriage, which had a large, ornate coat of arms painted on the side. It hadn’t been put away after the funeral and Cordelia went toward it.

  “I don’t care,” she said. “I want to see Mrs. Richmond. She can be difficult but she’s been with me since I was born.” Cordelia wasn’t surprised when Victor caught up with her on her way to the stables.

  “It seems she taught you a thing or two about being stubborn,” he said. “It’s just as well, I have some business to conduct at my office.” He put his arm around Cordelia’s waist and pulled her to him firmly. The strength she felt as his eyes locked onto hers sent warmth flowing through her body and she wanted him to pull her into the house, away from the carriage, and make love to her the way he had at the party. He kissed her, his lips igniting a further struggle to control herself, and just when she thought she might melt into his arms, he released her. “Something for you to think about until I return this evening,” he said, reaching up to hold her chin between his thumb and forefinger. Then he strode away, leaving her in the yard with her body on fire with longing for him.

  “Are you ready, Lady Whittemore?” Her driver’s voice snapped her out of the daze she was in and she cleared her throat.

  “Just a moment,” Cordelia said. “I should go get my hat.” Victor was already riding off down the drive and she hurried into the house to retrieve her hat before he got too far ahead of them.

  When she got to town, she was surprised to find him waiting for her at the doctor’s office, a small building near the police station. Cordelia could feel the eyes of a police officer as she walked up the steps. They hadn’t come to bother her since she’d admitted being with Victor, and as far as she knew they hadn’t bothered him either. It made her nervous.

  They walked a respectable distance apart into the doctor’s office, Cordelia slightly behind Victor but with her head held high. She hadn’t put the veil back over her face but she didn’t want to see Mrs. Richmond from behind a sheet of black, even if it did mean a lecture about her reputation. It would come, she knew it would, but she’d made her choice and was going to have to live with it.

  “Lady Whittemore,” the doctor said, hurrying o
ver as soon as he saw her. “Thank goodness you’re here. I was just trying to decide what I should do.”

  “About what?” A cold knot formed in her stomach as she looked at him, then looked at Victor. He stepped closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Cordelia knew how it looked, but she didn’t care. Not Mrs. Richmond. It can’t be.

  “Your Mrs. Richmond was doing so much better that I mentioned to her that she could return to the estate soon. She apparently took that to mean that she could leave whenever she liked.” He shook his head. “I came back from seeing to Mr. Halford’s pneumonia and she was gone. Told the nurse I said she could leave.”

  “That does sound like her,” Cordelia said with a sigh. “But where did she go? Do you know?”

  “I’m afraid not,” the doctor said. “She told the nurse she had some rudeness to address before she went back to the estate but she didn’t say where.” Cordelia looked at Victor, who was rubbing his temples as if he had a headache.

  “I have a feeling I know where she may have gone,” he said, then looked up at the doctor. “Thank you for your time, sir.”

  “You’re quite welcome,” the doctor said. “I would like to recheck her in about a week if that’s all right,” he said to Cordelia. “I imagine you’ll have better luck talking her into that than I would. Also, here’s some medication.” He took a small amber bottle from the corner of his desk. “This is in case she has another episode.”

  “What does it do?” Cordelia looked at the tiny pills in the bottle and the doctor smiled.

  “It’s a pill for the heart. If she has chest pains or starts acting lightheaded, have her put one of them under her tongue. If she needs more, she can always get some here.” He handed the bottle to Cordelia. “It’s very safe.”