An Impossible Crime by Clare Jayne

Author:Clare Jayne [Jayne, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

“IF THE people at Ashton Manor and the vicar dinnae ken where the maid is, I’m not sure how you can find her,” Nya commented as she helped Ishbel to dress for another ball. It would be the first one since the night of Lady Ashton’s death, so she found herself uneasy at the prospect, although that could be partly over Ewan’s reaction to James. Her husband had said nothing and, indeed, the physician had done nothing wrong that could be remarked upon, but it was a difficult situation when she considered James to be a friend yet Ewan disliked him. She had no idea how to resolve it, but she had too few visitors whose company she really enjoyed and there was no good reason for her not to spend time with him.

Nya asked, “What will you do next?”

Returning her mind to the subject of the murder, Ishbel said, “Someone must know her or her family. We can ask people at the ball tonight.”

“I should think it’s more likely that someone ordinary would know her.” Nya began doing up the hooks at the back of Ishbel’s gown. “Let me see if I can speak to some of the servants in the other houses.”

“Thank you, Nya. I am sure Ewan’s valet would not mind helping you if necessary.” Bridie had to be somewhere nearby if she had committed the murder after being dismissed from her position and if she was not nearby then she could not have done it. Ishbel was not sure what they could do if that was the case, though. Her mind flitted to Emma, turning over the possibility that she did want an advantageous marriage to Lord Ashton, before she guiltily banished the thought, hating the fact she could not entirely forget the notion.

“That looks lovely, ma’am.”

Ishbel glanced in the full-length mirror. The deep green silk gown had suited her once, but she was not sure it still did. “I look tired and pale.”

“Then perhaps that’s less to do with the dress and more about you needing to rest more.”

“That is what Ewan would say.”

“Because he loves you,” Nya reminded her.

“Not as much as he used to.” The words were out before she could stop them and her face in the mirror crumpled. She sat down abruptly, indifferent to what harm this might do to the dress and her words tumbled out. “We talk about nothing except finding the killer lately or he is angry or worried over something he thinks I have done wrong, which then makes me annoyed. It never used to be like this. I wish I knew how to make things better.”

“Everyone goes through such times.”

“Do they?” she asked, uncertain.

“Aye, ma’am. My parents did and they are a loving couple just as you and the master are. It will sort itself out.”

“Yes.” She clung to this idea and to the certainty in Nya’s voice, letting it reassure her, the worry receding. Her tiredness because of the growing child inside her was causing her to react badly to meaningless things.

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