Please come at once.
Bridget attended me on the short walk to Alicia’s home on Belgrave Square. I had the bracelet in the same reticule she’d found it in and held it clutched in my hand. Thankfully we arrived without incident. The butler led me to a sitting room near the back of the house and announced me. I was so anxious by this time, I didn’t even wait to hear my name before walking around him and straight to Alicia. She stood and smiled a greeting.
“Thank you for seeing me, Alicia,” I said. “I’m relieved to find you at home.”
“Imagine my relief when I read your note. You said you had news of my bracelet?”
“I have more than news,” I replied, pulling open the strings of my bag. “This is your bracelet I presume?” Alicia’s eyes rounded as I produced it from the bag and held it out to her.
“How?” she breathed, gently pulling the bracelet from my hand.
“An excellent question.”
I spun around as I heard the voice behind me and found myself facing none other than Inspector Delaney. What on earth was he doing here? He wore the same rumpled brown suit and looked completely out of place in Alicia’s feminine sitting room, filled with delicate pieces of furniture and an excess of fringe. He glared at me through lowered eyes. I wasn’t sure if they held suspicion, but there was no doubting the recognition.
“Frances, this is Inspector Delaney from the Metropolitan Police. I called him to report the missing bracelet. He was here when your note arrived, so I asked him to stay.” She turned to face Delaney. “Inspector, this is my friend, Frances Wynn, the Countess of Harleigh.”
To my great relief, he didn’t let on that we had already met. His bow was only slightly more than a nod. “My lady.”
“Inspector.” I needed a moment to recover, but as they both watched me, eager for an explanation, I had to proceed. Once we’d seated ourselves, I took a deep breath. “I agree with the inspector. How I came to be in possession of your bracelet is an excellent question, but I’ve been unable to do more than speculate on the answer.”
“I was under the impression the bracelet was stolen.” His voice held a note of accusation.
“Indeed, that was the impression we were all under, Inspector,” Alicia replied. “But I don’t imagine Lady Harleigh stole it.”
He raised a brow. “Yet it was in her possession.”
“And I do believe it was stolen,” I added. They both turned to me in surprise. Delaney recovered first.
“Are you admitting to the theft, Lady Harleigh?”
I scowled at the man. “Of course not.” I explained how Bridget had found the bracelet in my reticule, and my surprise when she showed it to me the day before.
“I had no chance to return it to you yesterday or I certainly would have done so. It distracted me all evening, and in my ponderings, I’ve come to the conclusion that it was no accident.” I turned toward Alicia. “The clasp on the bracelet is sturdy, and in perfect condition. It’s inconceivable to think it fell off your wrist and into my bag, which was drawn closed. Somebody must have opened the clasp and removed it from your arm. A practiced thief—someone who just appeared to be brushing against you as he passed by. After that”—I gave them both a helpless shrug—“the picture is not as clear. Perhaps he realized you discovered the bracelet was missing and disposed of it in the nearest hiding place.”
“But in your bag? How could someone open your bag without your knowing?”
“I was part of several groups that evening. One does get jostled from time to time. The bag was also lying on the table at supper, and our table was quite crowded. Again, if the thief was skilled, it would be a small matter to hide the bracelet.”
I turned back to Delaney. “So, Inspector, I do think the bracelet was stolen, and I think it was stolen by the same person responsible for the other recent thefts. Furthermore, it’s my opinion the thief is a gentleman.”
The inspector released a weary sigh. “What leads you to that conclusion, my lady?”
I could see he was losing patience with me. Understandable, I suppose. I was so shaken by seeing him again, I was really making a mess of this. I just couldn’t escape the fact that this man considered me capable of murdering my husband. Thank goodness he seemed to have no intention of mentioning his suspicion.
I took a breath and collected my thoughts. “It’s the way the crimes have been happening. The owner notices an expensive object missing the morning after an entertainment has taken place. More than one household has been affected, so that tends to rule out the servants.”
Delaney raised a brow. “Don’t hostesses bring in extra servants when they entertain?”
“If necessary, but from what I understand the Chestertons lost an heirloom necklace, taken from Mrs. Chesterton’s dressing table, during a musicale. They wouldn’t have had to bring in any extra servants for such a small entertainment. And the Haverhills wouldn’t need to hire extra hands for any event, and they were also victims of the thief after their reception. That was just about a week before the Chesterton event.”
Alicia nodded as if she were following my logic. “We did bring in outside help, but you are right, it isn’t always necessary. However, to say the thief is a gentleman means it could be any one of a hundred or more gentlemen in London.”
“Wouldn’t each of the hostesses have prepared a guest list?” the inspector asked.
“Of course, but everyone invites the same people to every affair. That would hardly reduce the possibilities.”
“But we can reduce the possibilities because the thief must have been close to each of you at Mrs. Stoke-Whitney’s ball.”
Alicia and I glanced at each other. “I suppose that might bring the number down, if each of us can remember whom we were near during the course of the evening,” I said.
“Not all evening,” Alicia said, brightening. “At least an hour before supper, I was speaking to Lady Marsden, and she admired my bracelet. By supper it was gone. So I need to remember which gentlemen I was near between the hours of ten-thirty and perhaps midnight.”
“Actually, I heard the bracelet was missing before the supper dance, perhaps around eleven-thirty, so I need to concentrate on those gentlemen I saw between then and the time I left, which was around two.”
“Ahem.”
We both turned to the inspector. “Yes,” Alicia prompted. “Is there something we missed?”
His face held a pained expression as if he were suffering from a headache. “No, I wouldn’t say you missed anything, but I am wondering why you both ruled out the ladies.”
“The ladies?” Alicia shook her head. “I don’t see this as something a lady would do. If the thief is a member of the aristocracy, then I would imagine he’s just doing it for some type of thrill.”
“Or to prove he can,” I added. “Even if he’s caught, he’d simply pass it off as a prank or a wager.”
“And there’s bound to be an old school chum who would back up his claim.” Alicia let out a tsk and raised her eyes to heaven. “I find men will say anything for the sake of old school ties.”
“Hmm,” I agreed. “But if caught, a lady would find herself absolutely ruined. Nobody would stand by her. I can’t imagine any lady of my acquaintance taking such a risk. And I do know most of the ladies who were present.”
Delaney’s brows came together in one bushy line as he gave us a look that reminded me he was the one in charge here. In our enthusiasm, we may have overstepped our bounds.
Alicia seemed to be thinking along the same lines. “Perhaps we should have some refreshment while we consider the possibilities.” She crossed the room to the bell pull by the wall. A young footman entered immediately. At Alicia’s request for tea he bowed out to do her bidding.
Once Alicia regained her seat, we both turned to the inspector, waiting for his pronouncement. After a few moments he satisfied us. “It’s been my experience that if someone is desperate enough, man or woman, they will do whatever is necessary to achieve
their end. In other words, let’s not rule out the women just yet.” He glanced at me in a way that told me his last comment was for my benefit. I was still a suspect. “We have no firm leads in the case of these robberies, so I’m not ready to exclude anyone at this time. And while you have offered one theory, I can think of two others.”
“You have our attention,” I prompted.
“The thief may not have been looking for a safe place to hide the bracelet, he may have wanted it to be found—in your possession.” He turned an inquiring look my way. “Do you have any enemies, Lady Harleigh?”
I heard Alicia gasp, but I couldn’t tear my gaze from Delaney’s penetrating stare. Good Lord in Heaven! The man possessed an endless supply of shocking pronouncements. First, my husband’s death might actually have been murder; now someone is trying to make me look like a criminal? My thoughts flew to Graham, but that was absurd. Fighting over money was one thing, but this went beyond the pale.
Delaney watched me, noting my hesitation. “No, Inspector. I may not be loved by all, but there’s no one who would wish to see me branded a thief. You mentioned another theory?”
He turned his gaze from me to his notebook. I felt certain he didn’t believe me, but at least he seemed willing to let this pass for now. If we must speak privately later, and I suspected we would, then so be it, but I was not willing to discuss my family matters in front of Alicia. He turned to a fresh page in the notebook and glanced back at us.
“I need to ponder that one a bit more,” he said evasively. “For now, let’s assume your theory is correct, Lady Harleigh. So if you ladies are ready, I’d like to prepare a list of everyone you can remember having encountered during the hours we discussed.”
Over the next half hour Alicia and I racked our brains, trying to remember every exchange we had with the other guests that evening, and whether it happened during the relevant time. Inspector Delaney took notes, while devouring several delicate sandwiches, and three cups of tea. When we’d exhausted our memories, he cross-referenced Alicia’s list with mine, and came up with ten names, of both men and women who could have stolen the bracelet from Alicia, and later disposed of it in my bag.
While the footman removed the tea service, Delaney perused the list. “So we have Mr. Hazelton, Viscount Ainsworthy, Lady Marsden, the Earl of Harleigh, Lord and Lady Nash, Mr. Kendrick, Lady Grafton, Mr. Grayson, and Mr. Forester. Does that sound about right?”
It sounded absurd. Most of these people were my friends. I took the list from Delaney. “Well, George Hazelton’s name should be removed. Wouldn’t you agree, Alicia? I can’t imagine him doing anything dishonest. And Lady Nash is my close friend.” My eyes widened as I read further. “Goodness, all three of Lily’s suitors are on this list. Ainsworthy, Kendrick, Grayson—all respectable young men.”
“Lady Harleigh.” Delaney’s voice was weary. “You suspected a gentleman of this crime. You must have assumed he’d be respectable.”
“That’s true.” And two of Lily’s suitors did take supper with me that night. Both had the opportunity to slip the bracelet into my bag. Considering how quickly Delaney had accused me of the theft, I hesitated to mention it. But he should be informed. I provided that information and added, “I also happen to know Mr. Kendrick attended the Chesterton musicale.”
Delaney made a note in his book.
“I’m sure it’s just a coincidence,” I said. “But I’m rather relieved I decided to have them investigated.”
From the way their heads snapped in my direction, I could tell I’d surprised them. Even the footman gave me a curious glance before returning to his work. “Well, she is rather an heiress, you know,” I said by way of defense. “I wanted to make sure they were courting her rather than her money.”
“An excellent notion,” said Alicia. “Whatever gave you the idea, and how on earth did you find an investigator?”
“My aunt brought to my attention that my father has used an inquiry agent, before entering into certain business transactions with gentlemen he didn’t know well. Since I don’t know these men, I asked my solicitor to find someone for the task.” I turned to Inspector Delaney as another thought struck me. “I suppose it wouldn’t be improper to share with you any information he turns up, Inspector, as you would be looking for a financial motive for this crime.”
“Actually, Lady Harleigh, that won’t be necessary.” He paused. “Your solicitor hired me to do your investigation of those gentlemen. I wasn’t aware you were the client.”
“Really?” Good heavens, it seemed Inspector Delaney would be invading every aspect of my life. I squirmed in discomfort at the thought of employing the man who might be investigating me for murder. I should speak to Mr. Stone about hiring someone else for this assignment.
My expression must have urged Delaney to provide an explanation. “My wife is expecting our third child,” he said with a shrug. “I take the odd job now and then, when we need a little extra.”
“Well, I know you’ve had little time, but have you learned anything that would make you suspect one of them in this crime?”
“Nothing as yet, my lady, but as you said, I’m just getting started.”
We decided nothing more could be done at this point, but a good start had been made. I was a little annoyed the inspector wouldn’t let me vouch for the characters of George or Fiona, but that was hardly surprising considering what he thought of mine. However, I was still satisfied with our morning’s work. The bracelet was back with its rightful owner, I was sure the inspector was on the trail of the thief, and he’d said nothing to Alicia about our previous meeting. It was half past noon as we made our way home under a heavy, gray sky. Bridget handed me a note.
“Mrs. Stoke-Whitney’s footman asked me to give this to you, ma’am.”
“A note from the footman?” I took the stiff paper from her and unfolded it as we walked.
Lady Harleigh, I have some information about one of the gentlemen on your list. Something no one else is likely to turn up. I assure you this is important to your investigation. Tomorrow is my free afternoon, so I can come to your home. It would be best if I go to your servants’ entrance, so please let your housekeeper know if you wish to see me.
It was signed James Capshaw. I glanced at Bridget. “Have you read this?”
Her eyes looked in every direction but mine. Finally she bobbed her head in the affirmative. “It wasn’t sealed, my lady.”
“I suppose he overheard my conversation with the inspector, and wants to profit from his knowledge, don’t you think?”
“Well, you know yourself, ma’am, servants know a lot about their employers. Maybe he used to work for one of the gentlemen.”
“That would be my guess as well. Perhaps I didn’t need to hire an investigator after all. Odd though, that he didn’t approach the inspector instead of me.”
Bridget shrugged. “As you said, he probably wants payment for his information. Maybe he assumed you’d be a softer touch.”
I nodded. That was very likely true. As we turned onto Chester Street, I caught sight of Mr. Grayson heading toward us. Bridget noticed him as well and fell a few steps behind. I smiled as he approached and removed his hat.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Grayson.”
“And the same to you, Lady Harleigh. I stopped by to call on Miss Price, but I find she’s away from home yet again.” His voice held a note of irritation.
“Were you expected?”
“Well, no. I’d simply hoped to catch her at home.”
Waiting breathlessly for you to call, I thought. I gave him a smile. “Well, she is bound to return home in any event. Perhaps you should call earlier next time.”
“Perhaps I shall.”
We said our good-byes and Bridget and I moved on. I wondered what the footman might know about someone like Grayson and recalled he had stopped by our table at supper. Was that when my bag fell to the floor? I was still pondering the possibilities, when we walked up my front steps, and were met at
the door by Mrs. Thompson, who, though normally unflappable, looked completely—well—flapped.
“Whatever has happened, Mrs. Thompson?”
“An outrage, my lady, just an outrage! Someone broke into the house while you were gone.”
“What? Was anyone hurt?” I nearly stumbled over the threshold. “How could someone break into it in broad daylight?”
Mrs. Thompson took my wrap and hat as she told me the news. “Whoever it was, was gone before any of us knew what happened. Jenny took some linens up to the closet and noticed the mess when she passed by the door to your room.”
“My room? Someone broke into my room?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I rushed up the stairs to see the damage, stopping as I flung open the door. “Oh, my goodness.”
This was the result of an intruder? The room looked more like some force of nature had swept through, rather than a single person.
Chapter 10
“Bit of a mess here.”
I threw Inspector Delaney a glare that, had he been looking, would have told him I didn’t appreciate his sarcasm. Instead, he was surveying the shambles of my bedchamber. I hadn’t allowed anyone to touch a thing until he’d arrived.
“I’d say that’s something of an understatement, Inspector. A bit of a mess might be the gowns strewn across the room, or the shards of glass over there from the broken window. Perhaps even the contents of my dressing table emptied onto the floor might be considered a bit of a mess, or when every article of clothing has been pulled from the drawers of my dressing room, and dumped out here.” My arms flailed as I pointed out each bit of destruction. I noticed my voice rising in both pitch and volume and took a deep breath. “But when all of this has happened in one room, a ‘bit of a mess’ doesn’t begin to describe it.”
“On the positive side, this does give some credence to your theory about the bracelet theft, in that he only intended to leave it with you temporarily.”
I had to agree. In fact, that was why I’d sent a message to Inspector Delaney as soon as I’d seen the room. “I hope that means I’m now free from suspicion.”
A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder Page 11
