The Viscount's Deadly Game by Issy Brooke

Author:Issy Brooke [Brooke, Issy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical
Publisher: Issy Brooke
Published: 2020-01-09T22:00:00+00:00

HER PRESENCE FILLED the room in a way that rivalled even the Dowager Countess’s personality. Her face was streaked with tears, though her clothing was impeccable and her hair only slightly and artfully in disarray – just enough to convey her complete desolation but without making her look shabby or unkempt. She clung to Adelia’s arm, and announced, “They are turning my house upside down! Me! A poor and lonely widow, unprotected and alone, and they choose this moment to strike! What can I do? Lord Calaway, you must help me!”

Theodore could not help but look to his wife for some clue. Adelia’s face was blankly sympathetic but showed no sign of the panic that was consuming Lady Beaconberg. From that, he assumed that the scene was one of drama but had no real urgency. “Lady Beaconberg, please do sit down and tell us everything.”

“I’ve told you,” she wailed, remaining on her feet. “They are in my house and hunting through every inch of it – are they allowed to do that? I know people. I shall speak to the authorities. I told them that, but they said that they were the authorities. I feel violated, utterly violated! What has England become when the mere police force can simply enter the home of a well-bred woman such as myself? Are they not supposed to be the protectors of society, our servants in fact? Oh! Oh! Oh! What can I possibly do?”

“The police?” Theodore said, and Mary went to Lady Beaconberg’s side. She sat down and took the woman’s hand gently. Sibyl kept her face impassive, her knees tightly together and her hands clasped in her lap as if she were somehow above such displays of emotion. Grace was leaning forward, occasionally suppressing a cough, determined to soak up every moment of the situation.

“Yes, the police!”

“Did they say what they were looking for?”

Lady Beaconberg crumpled, her head sagging. “I simply cannot bear it. I cannot! They suggested that ... they wondered if ... oh!”

Adelia said in a low voice, “They are simply looking into all relevant aspects of Lord Beaconberg’s business dealings and hoped to find some paperwork that might not have been at the stables.”

“Then why did they insist on access to my bedroom?”

Sibyl hissed in astonishment. Adelia said, “It is often the case that people keep important documents in a safe in their bedroom, is it not?”

“They only needed to ask if that were the case! I would have told them no, there is no safe in there – but they insisted on seeing with their own eyes, as if I am a liar! Me! I am Lady Beaconberg!”

Theodore wondered if the police were looking for far more than mere business paperwork. After all, the Inspector himself had alluded to the possibility that Lady Beaconberg needed investigating. He wanted to ask her so much more but it was impossible in such company and with the lady in such a state of emotion. He was glad, however, that she was now under the same roof as he was.

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