Whom the Gods Love by Ross Kate

Author:Ross, Kate
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781937384340
Publisher: Felony & Mayhem Press

CHAPTER

17

Abandon All Hope

“Where is Mrs. Falkland?” Martha demanded of Julian and Sir Malcolm.

“She’s in the library,” said Julian in an undertone. “We ought to move a little further down the hall, so as not to disturb her.”

They all complied, although Martha seethed with impatience at being held back from going to her mistress. Luke seemed too distraught to notice where he went or what he did.

“I should like to ask you both a few questions,” said Julian. “Do you know of anyone who might wish to hurt Mrs. Falkland?”

Martha bridled. “If I thought anyone would harm a hair of her head, sir, do you suppose I would have left her?”

“Had she quarrelled with anyone recently?”

“That she had!” Realization glittered in Martha’s eyes. “That boy!”

“Eugene? He can’t have been responsible for the accident. He left far too early yesterday to have set the trap.”

“Well, he’s the only person that ever ran rusty with my mistress. If he’s not responsible, I don’t know who is. But if so be the ruffian ever falls into my hands, I’ll know how to deal with him!”

Julian turned to Luke. “What about you? Do you know of anyone who had a grudge against your mistress?”

“No, sir,” Luke croaked. He cleared his throat and repeated a bit more strongly, “No, sir.”

Sir Malcolm looked at Julian as if to say, He knows something! Julian nodded briefly but did not pursue it now. If Luke felt guilty about something to do with Mrs. Falkland, he would confess it more freely once Martha and her avenging fury were out of the way.

“Did you know your mistress was in the family way?” Julian asked Martha.

“She never told me, sir, but I guessed.”

“Do you know if she told anyone else?”

“I wouldn’t know, sir.”

“Did you tell anyone?”

“No, sir. I was never one to tittle about my mistress’s affairs.”

“Pardon me for pressing you, but you must see, this is of the greatest importance. Are you quite sure you said nothing to anyone?”

“As sure as I was born, sir. I never said a word.”

“Luke, did you have any idea your mistress might be in the family way?”

“No, sir.” Luke seemed scandalized that anyone could suppose he knew such an intimate thing about Mrs. Falkland.

“Has there been any talk of it among your fellow servants?”

“Not that I ever heard, sir.”

Julian had no further questions for Martha. Sir Malcolm dismissed her, and she hurried off to her mistress.

The moment she was gone, Luke’s head came up. He looked tired, his eyes red-rimmed, his usually ruddy face a little pale. “I have something to tell you, sir.”

“I thought as much,” said Julian. “Why don’t we go into the study.”

Sir Malcolm went with them, first giving Dutton orders to have luncheon prepared. Finding Luke nervous and tongue-tied, Julian began with some fairly innocuous questions. It was necessary to establish which of Alexander’s servants had alibis for Mrs. Falkland’s accident, and to that end Julian asked Luke what they had been doing between noon yesterday and half past nine this morning.

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