Page 68 of A Whisper at Midnight

“Perhaps.”

Beryl arrived then. She wore black from head to toe, including a hat with a veil that completely covered her face. Hadrian may not have recognized her, except that her retainers were with her, along with Mrs. Styles-Rowdon.

The coroner asked everyone to take their seats whilst he remained standing. Tilda and Hadrian sat in the second row of chairs behind Beryl and Mrs. Styles-Rowdon.

Introducing himself as Julius Graythorpe, the coroner addressed the room. “Mr. Louis Chambers was found dead in his bed this Thursday past of suspicious circumstances. We shall determine the cause of his death. Let us turn our attention to the deceased, who was stabbed in the chest four times.”

He went on to describe the wound and the likely size of the blade that was used. “This sort of knife may be found in any kitchen. However, a knife was not discovered with the body.

“Upon review of the corpse, I noticed a bluish tinge to Mr. Chambers’ fingertips as well as diminishment in his eyeballs. This prompted me to test for arsenic poisoning, and the results were positive.”

Tilda gasped softly and leaned toward Hadrian. “That is why the inquest was postponed.”

“But the stabbing killed him, didn’t it?” Hadrian whispered.

“I would expect so, but the poisoning complicates matters.” She shook her head, and they listened to the coroner continue. He estimated the time of death between midnight and three o’clock.

The coroner then called the first person to testify—Mrs. Louis Chambers. He started by asking her to lift her veil so that he may see her face.

Beryl did as instructed, and now Hadrian could view her profile from where he sat. The coroner first asked about her marriage to Louis and whether she was seeking a divorce. Beryl revealed Louis’s treatment of her as well as her suspicion thathe’d stolen several pieces of jewelry from her. She indicated that Tilda was helping her with the divorce.

Graythorpe asked about the night Louis was killed, as well as what happened the following morning. He then asked about her relationship to her former fiancé, Lord Ravenhurst.

Hadrian tensed. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t expected this, but it was still frustrating. No, it made him angry. Because he’d done nothing to warrant involvement in this matter.

Yet, hewasinvolved because he’d had the misfortune to be betrothed to a woman who’d become tangled up with Louis Chambers, a man who’d apparently hated Hadrian and now, even in death, was causing him trouble.

Beryl told the coroner that she’d had little to no communication or interaction with Hadrian since they’d dissolved their engagement.

Graythorpe nodded vaguely. “Then why would you send him a letter the day before your husband was murdered asking for his help? Surely there were other people you could ask.” He looked expectantly at Beryl.

“I had already asked for help from my friend and neighbor, Mrs. Styles-Rowdon.” Beryl kept her chin up, but Hadrian thought she looked pale. “And I do not have family whom I can ask for anything.”

“Multiple people have reported to the police that you were having a liaison with someone, and that person may have been Ravenhurst. Are either of those things true?”

“Of course not,” she answered hastily as color rushed to her cheeks.

“Let us discuss the arsenic poisoning now,” Graythorpe said. “Detective Inspector Teague found a bottle of arsenic in the pantry of your household. Did you have occasion to use it?”

It was usual for a household to have arsenic to poison vermin. Still, Hadrian exchanged a look with Tilda.

“No.” Beryl glanced to her right where the members of her household were seated. “I’m sure Mrs. Blank or Mrs. Dunning may have done.”

“I will ask them,” Graythorpe replied. “Had your husband been ill?”

“Perhaps.” Beryl lifted a shoulder. “I thought he was drinking too much and suffering the ill effects. Massey would likely know more about that.” She flicked a look toward the valet, who was still standing in the corner.

Graythorpe then asked if Beryl had taken an insurance policy out on her husband. She replied that she had not. The coroner moved on to interview her retainers. The housekeeper and cook said they used arsenic to kill vermin. None could offer any information as to how Chambers had been poisoned.

Clara said she had cleaned up after Chambers being ill and also recounted how she’d found him dead in his bed. She also answered questions about her affair with Chambers and clearly didn’t enjoy doing so. She shifted in her chair whilst flushing crimson the entire time.

Finally, it was Massey’s turn to be questioned. It was evident he did not care for Beryl, and he repeated his belief that she was having an affair.

“You told Detective Inspector Teague that Chambers believed his wife’s paramour to be Lord Ravenhurst?”

“I did, but I’ve no proof that was true,” Massey said, much to Hadrian’s relief. “Mr. Chambers seemed to have a deep dislike of the earl. I don’t know why.”

“What of Mr. Chambers’ health?” Graythorpe asked next. “Did you notice he was ill?”