Page 45 of A Matter of Murder

“May I ask why?” Lizzie asked gently.

But Mrs. Burton didn’t answer. She looked about the garden as if searching for someone. “Where is that girl?”

Lizzie was undeterred. “Mrs. Burton, I don’t know whether you’ve heard the dreadful news, but something was discovered at Netherfield Park this week.”

The old woman went very still, and she didn’t meet Lizzie’s gaze. “Oh?”

“A body was found,” Lizzie said. “Stuffed into the chimney.”

The old woman’s laugh was worn and cracked but contained genuine mirth. “You’re having me on.”

“I’m telling the truth, Mrs. Burton.”

The woman looked at Darcy. “She’s lost all sense. A body? In a chimney?”

“I’m afraid she’s right,” Darcy told her gravely, and watched as confusion fell over Mrs. Burton’s face like a heavy veil.

“A body in the chimney,” she repeated. “But no, that’s not right.”

“Who’re you?”

A newcomer’s voice, rough and hostile, cut through thegarden. Lizzie and Darcy turned to see an elderly man in a patched jacket with a slight stoop to his shoulders hurrying toward them with as much haste as the carved cane he leaned on allowed. As he drew closer, Darcy was surprised to find the man taller than he, despite the slump to his posture. In his prime, the newcomer had likely cut an imposing figure. Now time and age seemed to weigh him down.

“Mr. Darcy,” Darcy said. “And my companion, Miss Bennet.”

“Yes?” the man said, eyeing them with suspicion. “What is it you want?”

“Mr. Burton, I presume?” Lizzie asked. “As I was just telling your wife, we are staying—”

“Allan, where’s Amy?”

Lizzie stopped, startled by Mrs. Burton’s interruption. Mr. Burton, however, did not look surprised. In fact, he looked weary.

“She’ll be along soon, dove.”

“Oh. All right.” Mrs. Burton sat back down and picked up her knitting.

Lizzie continued. “As I was saying, we’re part of the party come to stay at Netherfield Park. I understand that you and Mrs. Burton were the caretakers for the previous Mrs. Bingley for many years. We were wondering if we could ask you some questions.”

Darcy watched Mr. Burton closely. The man seemed to be weighing the request, and it was clearly not one he wanted to grant. But eventually he nodded and said, “Wait here.”

He went over to his wife and took her by the hand. “Let’s get you inside, dove.”

“Oh, is it time for luncheon?”

Lizzie glanced at Darcy, confused. It was not yet midmorning.

“Mm-hmm, and Amy has something lovely prepared.”

“Oh, wonderful. Amy’s a marvel in the kitchen.” She turned to Lizzie and Darcy. “Would you two like to join us?”

“How kind of you, Mrs. Burton,” Darcy said quickly, “but I am afraid we can’t. Thank you for the offer.”

Mr. Burton led her into the cottage and Lizzie hissed, “What did you say that for?”

“Because I don’t think there’s anyone named Amy in that cottage preparing a luncheon. I think Mrs. Burton’s memory is addled.”

“Oh,” Lizzie said, taking that in. “Oh. How can you be sure?”