‘I see.’ If Leo’s treatment of younger boys was anything to go by, Ed should be applauded for not ignoring it. Had one of these young men chosen to take their revenge years later? ‘What happened next, Ed?’
‘Exactly what Thompson hoped would happen. We got lost and walked in circles for hours. Pettigrew fell into a gully and sprained his ankle so we had to carry him. It started to rain and by the time we got back to school, we were wet, cold and exhausted. And because we were out after curfew we missed supper.’ His voice notched up an octave at the memory of this final humiliation.
‘That’s why you acted so strangely when I pointed out the photograph at Arnold’s?’ Flora said. ‘When I asked you why you weren’t in it, you couldn’t leave the room fast enough.’
‘What photograph was this?’ Bunny demanded.
‘Arnold took it after the race. Which is how I discovered they went to the same school. And if you had explained the motto thing, I would have known sooner.’
‘I wasn’t sure at that stage, which is why I wrote to Bell,’ Bunny said, apologetically.
‘Yes, well.’ Ed ran his hands up and down his thighs. ‘We were still clambering over fallen trees and climbing ravines when that photo was taken.’
‘There aren’t many ravines in Wiltshire, if memory serves,’ Bunny interjected. ‘Chilmark perhaps, but it’s miles from Marlborough.’
‘It jolly well felt like it when we were soaked through, freezing cold and covered in nettle stings.’
‘Topography aside, let’s get back to the other night,’ Bunny said, losing patience. ‘When Inspector Maddox said the man on the train wasn’t Leo, why didn’t you speak up and contradict him?’
‘How could I? I had already claimed not to know him.’ Ed slipped further down into the sofa squab as if he wished himself invisible.
‘What possessed you to lie?’ Bunny snapped. ‘You must have known the truth would come out?’
‘Maddox already thinks I’m a murderer. If I had told him about the feud at school, he would think I had a reason to kill Leo.’
‘Because of a race?’ Flora said, aghast. ‘That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. And what do you suppose he’ll think of you now?’
‘I daren’t think,’ Ed mumbled into his hand.
‘Is that what happened on the train, Ed?’ Bunny asked. ‘Did Leo laugh about the way he had sent you and your chums through mud and undergrowth until you were exhausted, bleeding and lost? It must have been frightening in the dark, miles from anywhere with an injured comrade?’
‘It was.’ Ed shuddered. ‘But we found our way back eventually.’
‘I don’t think you’re being very fair to-’
‘Let me finish, Flora’ Bunny interrupted. ‘Ed needs to hear this. It must have rankled that Thompson shamed you in front of the whole school? I’ll wager he let everyone know what a dog’s breakfast you had made of a simple race? A bitter defeat when you had always been good at sports. Always top of your class in academic subjects too?’
‘Yes!’ Ed rocked back and forth on the edge of the sofa. ‘All right it was hard.’ He looked so despondent and beaten, Flora longed to comfort him, but Bunny would only criticize her for taking Ed’s side. ‘We stopped the tricks and practical jokes after that, so Thompson got what he wanted.’ Ed lifted his chin, defiant. ‘He stopped bullying the smaller boys too, so it was a victory all round. Neither of us bore a grudge.’
‘Perhaps that was true, until you saw him on the train? Then the day of the cross-country race came flooding back. You didn’t intend to lose your temper, but Leo goaded you. You snapped, picked up a sharp instrument someone had left behind on the seat and plunged it into his chest.’
‘Bunny!’ Flora couldn’t help herself. She had never seen him so lacking in empathy.
‘No! That’s not what happened!’ Ed rose from the sofa, his fists clenched at his sides.
‘It’s quite understandable,’ Bunny continued as if oblivious to Ed’s distress. ‘A sudden, uncontrollable and isolated impulse. You were shocked by what you had done, but he was obviously dead. The train had arrived at Paddington, so you slipped the spike into your pocket and positioned him so he would look as if he slept.’
‘I cannot believe you’re saying this.’ Ed held his arms out, palms upwards.
‘Bunny, please stop—’ Flora began but he ignored her.
‘When the guard accused you, fear made you bolt, but you knew who to go to for help. Flora knows something about murder investigations and I’m a solicitor. We couldn’t possibly think you capable of murder.’
‘That’s enough!’ Flora slid closer to Ed and wrapped an arm round him.
‘Sit down, Ed.’ Bunny’s voice softened. ‘And, Flora, I know this is upsetting, but I know what I’m doing.’
‘How can you say that?’ She brought her head up to stare at him, horrified. ‘Look at him, he’s shaking with fear.’
‘Necessary, I’m afraid. Look Ed.’ Bunny placed a gentle hand on Ed’s shoulder. ‘I know you didn’t murder anyone. But don’t you see? If this gets to court, the Prosecution will subject you to far worse than this.’
‘Court?’ Ed gasped. ‘I’ll have to appear in court? But I didn’t do anything!’
‘I know.’ Bunny straddled the arm of the sofa. ‘Now, Ed. What did happen on the train? The truth this time. All of it.’
‘Apart from claiming not to know Thompson, everything I told you was true.’ Ed sighed and tugged at a loose thread on his shirt cuff. ‘I recognized him straight away but felt awkward seeing him again. I was debating whether or not to move carriages when he saw me. He stared at me for a moment, then laughed. He said he remembered the state we were in when we stumbled back to school with our clothes torn and covered in mud. He asked me how much running I had done since, and when I said none, we both ended up laughing like drains. After that, it wasn’t awkward at all. We even shook hands. In fact—’ Ed broke off and swallowed. ‘When I think of what happened afterwards, I’m glad I had the chance to apologize to him.’
‘Oh, Ed. I’m so sorry.’ Flora hugged him closer. No wonder he had been so distressed the other night when she visited his room.
‘I didn’t mean it to get so serious. It never occurred to me anyone would really think I had killed him, so when Maddox asked if I knew him, I kept quiet. I just didn’t think.’
‘You didn’t think murder was serious?’ Bunny demanded.
‘No! I mean yes. When I saw him slumped against the window – dead, I panicked.’
‘Which is how it all begins, Ed. You tell one lie which leads to another until no one will believe anything you say.’ Bunny closed his eyes and massaged his forehead with one hand. ‘What a mess.’
‘Do you have to tell Inspector Maddox about Ding-Dong’s letter?’ Ed asked.
‘Yes, we most certainly do!’ He brought his fist down on a lamp table at his elbow, almost toppling a Meissen figurine. ‘And don’t keep using that name. He’s a respected man and doesn’t deserve to be made fun of.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Ed sniffed. ‘Didn’t think.’
‘I’m sure Ed only kept silent this long because he was afraid to tell us.’ Flora discreetly moved the china ornament out of Bunny’s reach. ‘But he has admitted it now, and—’
‘It’s not good enough, Flora,’ Bunny interrupted. ‘I’m professionally bound to pass on any information coming into my possession.’ He patted the pocket where he had placed Reverend Bell’s letter before sitting down. ‘We solicitors rely on the goodwill of the police.’
‘Do you have to tell Inspector Maddox straight away?’ Flora began carefully. ‘I mean, he probably knows by now Ed went to Marlborough and nothing has really changed.’
‘And I’m still a suspect,’ Ed muttered.
‘I’m afraid so.’ Bunny sighed. ‘Leo’s body is on a slab in the mortuary and you were the last person to see him alive.’
‘We’re not obliged to do Maddox’s work for him if it makes m
atters worse for Ed,’ Flora said.
Bunny bit his bottom lip which indicated he was considering her words.
‘Only for a day or so,’ she wheedled. ‘Until we find out more about the man at The Dahlia who is pretending to be the Colonel’s youngest son.’
‘Please, Bunny,’ Ed pleaded. ‘Give me a chance to clear my name.’
‘I’ve an awful feeling I’m going to regret this.’ Bunny sighed. ‘All right, but just for a day or so.’
Chapter 21
Once Ed had retreated to his room, Bunny came to stand behind the sofa where Flora sat, his hands braced on the upright behind her head, one hand resting on her shoulder.
‘You realize you’ve verbally abused a viscount and accused him of murder?’ Flora twisted on the sofa to face him. ‘I’m only glad his father wasn’t here to witness it. He would have had you horsewhipped.’
‘I found it strangely satisfying actually, and how many members of the nobility does a solicitor get to harangue?’
‘More than you might imagine, I should think. And I’m sorry for taking him out of the house without telling you.’ She slid her hand over his and squeezed.
‘You’re forgiven.’ He planted a swift kiss on her temple. ‘I’m angrier with Ed for lying than I am with you. When I read Reverend Bell’s letter, even I started to wonder.’
‘It’s certainly made things more complicated.’ Flora didn’t like to admit Bunny’s tirade had shaken her own confidence in Ed’s innocence, if briefly.
Bunny rested his forearms on the sofa back, his gaze level with hers. ‘Was he really about to tell you the truth? Or was it another of his inventions?’
‘No, I think he was about to, but then—’ She pushed their near miss in the motor car away. ‘This means that the man calling himself Leonard Hunter-Griggs at The Dahlia is definitely not Leo Thompson.’
‘And what do we do with that information without getting Ed into further trouble?’
‘Hope Maddox will find it out by himself? The Colonel said—’
‘Wait a moment.’ Bunny straightened. ‘You’ve spoken to the Colonel?’
‘Um, yes. That’s why I took Ed with me. He came to live at Albany when he returned from India a few years ago. Ed’s friend has a set there so I asked him if he knew the Colonel.’
‘Ah yes, Arnold Baines. Ed has mentioned him. I think he’s going to ask Earl Trent if he might have a set there when he leaves university. That was clever of you to think of that, Flora.’
‘I don’t understand the attraction. The place is like an army barracks and the sets are tiny. They discourage women too.’
‘That is the attraction. What’s he like, this Colonel?’
‘A really nice man, if ridiculously old-fashioned. He was obviously devoted to his first wife, although had little to say about Sylvia.’
‘No wonder, she left him, taking young Leo with her. Incidentally,’ he squatted lower so his eyes were level with hers. ‘How did you get a stranger to talk about his family?’
‘Er… I expect he took a shine to me, I can be charming when I choose.’ His steady stare unnerved her and she gave in. ‘I pretended to be a journalist doing an interview about the army, but that isn’t relevant.’ She slid her arms round his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. ‘Oh, Bunny, it’s so sad. He was thrilled Leonard came to find him after Sylvia died. It gave him a chance to get to know him again. I sat six feet away from him pretending to take notes about some spurious article, knowing his real son lay on a mortuary slab and whoever is masquerading as Leonard at the hotel is an imposter.’
‘It’s the price you pay for digging into people’s lives,’ Bunny hugged her tighter, his breath warm on her forehead. ‘We tend to unearth a lot more than we really want to know. You’re sure he said Leonard came to find him, not the other way around?’
She pulled back enough to look up into his face, nodding. ‘One of the twins brought them together. Frederick, I think he said.’
‘Interesting.’ He adjusted his glasses with one hand. ‘What else did the Colonel tell you?’
‘A little about his time in India, and how Sylvia hated it, which might have been her main reason for leaving him as he stayed there for some years afterwards. In fact, I have a theory.’ She patted the vacant space on the sofa beside her, inviting him to sit. ‘No, don’t look at me like a solicitor about to cross-examine me, listen.’
‘Barristers do that, not solicitors.’ Bunny skirted the sofa and took the seat Ed had vacated beside her.
‘I stand corrected, but you can stop scowling at me. We know Sylvia had no contact with her estranged husband, but when Leo grew up, it’s reasonable he would want to know about his father.’
‘Even if Sylvia told him he had died?’
‘More so I would have thought. Amery Hunter-Griggs was a soldier. What young boy wouldn’t want to know everything there was to know about him? Especially if his mother had woven some elaborate story for his benefit.’
‘It’s possible. Would Sylvia have known he had returned to England?’
‘She might have if the bank who paid her allowances had informed her. Even if she didn’t tell Leo, the twins were eight or nine when Sylvia left, old enough to be aware Leo existed. They could have gone looking for him.’
‘I think I know where this is going.’ Bunny’s brow creased in thought as he threw his analytical mind into the riddle.
‘I knew you would.’ She snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder. ‘The Colonel was seriously ill last year and was encouraged to sort out his affairs. He probably wrote a will, or he rewrote one. The twins discovered they might lose part of their hotel to a half-brother they hadn’t seen for years. A hotel they had spent all their money renovating and worked hard every day to make successful.’
‘I can see how that might create resentment,’ Bunny mused, frowning. ‘Even so, to kill off their half-brother is pretty extreme.’
‘Families are tricky at the best of times. When inheritances are involved, they can be malicious. Suppose the twins employed someone to impersonate Leonard in order to charm the old man into believing he was his son?’
‘To what end?’ Bunny shrugged. ‘If they planned to dispose of the half-brother, why use a substitute? They’ve simply replaced one problem with another. Besides, Sylvia Thompson knew Leo was the rightful heir.’
‘True, but Sylvia wouldn’t be a problem if she was already dead,’ Flora said. ‘Suppose the twins sent that woman to the shop to cut Sylvia’s hand?’
‘Ah, we’re back to your lady in the red coat, are we? Sylvia Thompson died from blood poisoning. Had Dr Grace suspected the injury was a result of foul play, she would have insisted on a post mortem.’
‘If you remember, she suggested one be carried out, but Leo refused. Sylvia died at Christmas and Leonard came to live at the hotel in January, so they might have prepared the way for him to take his place at The Dahlia.’
‘But Leo wasn’t killed until April. Why did they wait so long?’
‘A good question.’ Flora had to admit there were holes in her theory but she wasn’t prepared to let go of it just yet. ‘With Sylvia dead, no one would connect Leo Thompson living in Cheltenham to a Leonard Hunter-Griggs in London. Everyone we have spoken to insists that Leo had no idea his father was alive, therefore he wasn’t likely to come looking for him.’
‘Hmm. Strangely, that makes a sort of convoluted sense. ‘Bunny relaxed his head against the sofa back and stared at the ceiling, deep in thought.
‘Something must have changed, making the real Leo a threat.’ Flora chewed her bottom lip as she ran through scenarios in her head. ‘Maybe he discovered his father was alive and arranged to come to The Dahlia to meet him.
‘Hmm, I’m following thus far. Go on.’
‘They already had a Leonard Hunter-Griggs staying at the hotel and didn’t want another spoiling their plans, therefore they had to get rid of the real one.’
‘Strangely, that all makes sen
se. But it’s still speculation. Nor can we take to Maddox unfounded theories as to what might have happened.’
‘Like my lady in the red coat?’
‘Exactly.’ Bunny’s lips curled into a wry smile which fell short of outright dismissal. Her enthusiasm dissolved. He was right, she had taken a few bare facts and twisted them into a conspiracy.
The door clicked open and Stokes appeared in the doorframe. ‘Would you and madam require afternoon tea, sir?’
‘No thank you, Stokes, we’ve no time.’ He grasped Flora’s hand and pulled her to her feet. ‘You need to get changed, Flora. Had you forgotten, we have a wedding to go to later?’
Chapter 22
Flora curled her fingers over the edges of the roll-top bath and relaxed in the silky water scented with rose oil. A fire had been lit in the grate of the generously proportioned bathroom, making the room so comfortable that the tension left her neck and shoulders. She released a contented sigh, intent on enjoying Lydia’s wedding without a head crowded with murder, metal spikes and an amiable colonel whose heart would inevitably be broken.
The water had grown almost cool and her fingertips wrinkled when she left the tub, patted her skin dry with a towel and slipped on a silk negligee. Tugging the clasp from her hair, she let it flow over her shoulders and entered the bedroom.
The House of Joel had delivered her gown for the ceremony which Sally had hung on the front of the wardrobe door. Flora admired the full skirt that flowed in gentle folds from a pinch-waist bodice in fabric so fine, the layers beneath glimmered through in varying shades of blue and lilac. The full-length sleeves and high neckline with a row of tiny covered buttons fashioned from matching coloured lace gave the impression it might float away on a puff of wind. Flora had rarely experienced such heady anticipation at owning such a dress before. She hoped the afternoon would remain mild so she could discard her coat and show it off.
Her gaze fell on the drawstring bag which Sally must have brought up from the hall table where Flora had left it earlier. As she moved it to the dresser, a rustle from within reminded her of the letter she had put there on her arrival home.
The Bloomsbury Affair Page 19
