Page 21 of Miss Morton and the Missing Heir (A Miss Morton Mystery #4)

“If he’s got any sense, he’ll turn up and try to make amends in his own way,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “Which, know ing the pair of you, will probably result in further misunderstandings.”

“He did say he would call on you if he secured the new job,” Caroline said.

“Then I’ll expect to see him fairly soon. I’d suggest you treat him exactly as you always have, Caroline, and that will show him how to go on.”

Mrs. Scutton came into the drawing room, and Caroline jumped to her feet. “Would you care for some tea, ma’am? I can ask the butler to bring a fresh pot.”

“That would be most welcome.” Mrs. Scutton sat down. “Thomas came to tell me Inspector Ross’s news about poor Jude’s death.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe any one would be cruel enough to deliberately push him in front of a coach and four.”

“Inspector Ross wondered if it had anything to do with the Brighams,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “Did Jude know them?”

“Yes, he did. Mr. Brigham and Mary were still living in my house after their marriage, and they saw him every day.”

“Mary seemed very fond of Jude, ma’am.” Caroline added the hot water the butler brought to the teapot and stirred it vigorously. “She spoke very movingly about him after his death.”

“They were close when she was young. After Mr. Scutton’s death, Mary regarded Jude as a father.”

“Was Jude related to Mr. Scutton?” Mrs. Frogerton asked.

“I believe they grew up together, although I’m not certain if there was a familial connection.” Mrs. Scutton paused. “William never mentioned one. But Jude stayed with us after my husband passed away, and I will always be grateful for that.”

Mr. Scutton came into the room and, after greeting Mrs. Frogerton and Caroline, he took a seat beside his mother.

“Are you discussing Jude, Mother?” Mr. Scutton asked as Caroline passed him a cup of tea. “It’s a sorry business and a terrible indictment of the state of crime in London.”

“I was telling Mrs. Frogerton how Jude was with us throughout my marriage and beyond,” Mrs. Scutton said.

“He must have known you all very well, ma’am,” Caroline said. “Did he have a family of his own?”

“Yes, he had a sister who acted as our housekeeper in Epping.” Mrs. Scutton sipped her tea.

“Sarah very kindly sent me a clipping from the Essex Gazette which gave details of Jude’s funeral at our parish church of St. John the Baptist. I haven’t told her about the suspicion that Jude was deliberately pushed into the path of that coach, but I fear I might have to do so now in case Inspector Ross decides to tell her himself. ”

“I’m sure Inspector Ross will handle the matter with great care and compassion, ma’am,” Mrs. Frogerton said.

Mr. Scutton made a dismissive noise. “I agree with my mother that she should write and tell Sarah the news before the inspector blunders in.”

Mrs. Frogerton looked as if she wished to say more on the subject, but instead smiled at Caroline. “Did you post the letters, my dear?”

“Yes, ma’am.” She smiled in return. “I also received one from America.”

“From your sister?” Mrs. Frogerton clapped her hands together. “How wonderful! Is Susan well?”

“Apparently so,” Caroline said. “I’ll give you the letter to read after dinner, ma’am, and you can tell me your thoughts.”

Mrs. Scutton glanced between them. “I must say, Mrs. Frogerton, that you do treat Caroline with extraordinary kindness, considering she is employed to be of service to you. I doubt other employers would be interested in the intimate details of their inferiors’ families.”

“Perhaps that’s because I don’t consider myself superior to anyone, ma’am,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “I come from humble beginnings, and I have never appreciated being seen as a lesser being.”

“With your wealth and status, I doubt that happens to you very often these days,” Mrs. Scutton said.

“Then you’d be surprised.” Mrs. Frogerton set her cup down and rose to her feet. “Mr. Lewis is coming to talk to me about some business matters, Caroline. Tell the butler I’ll see him in the study so as not to disturb anyone.”

She left the room, her dogs trailing after her while Caroline set the tea tray to rights.

“That’s all very well.” Mrs. Scutton lowered her voice. “In truth, I suspect Mrs. Frogerton’s been kind to you only because you offered her daughter access to a level of society she would have otherwise been barred from due to her lowly origins.”

“Mrs. Frogerton would have accomplished her goals without me, ma’am,” Caroline said. “She is well liked and respected in society.”

Mrs. Scutton raised an eyebrow. “Your loyalty does you credit, dear, but I suspect you will be relieved to leave your employment once Morton House is available to us.”

“I’m sure you will be delighted to move into Morton House, ma’am, but it has nothing to do with me.” Caroline took Mr. Scutton’s discarded cup and set it back on the tray.

“Nothing to do with you?” Mrs. Scutton looked over at her son. “Thomas? Have you not made your position on this matter clear to Caroline?”

“I have been rather busy dealing with other matters, Mother,” Mr. Scutton said somewhat acerbically. “And to be honest, it didn’t occur to me that I’d have to say anything when it’s obvious that Caroline should return to the protection of her family.”

“I beg to differ, Mr. Scutton,” Caroline said. “I have an employment contract with Mrs. Frogerton, and I intend to honor it.”

“She won’t object if you leave.” Mrs. Scutton smiled. “In truth, you’ve served your purpose in getting her daughter married to a peer, and she probably has no more use for you.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I intend to stay until Mrs. Frogerton tells me otherwise.” Caroline walked toward the door.

“Are you worried that the College of Arms won’t find in our favor and you’ll be tossed out on the street again?” Mrs. Scutton asked in a sympathetic voice that set Caroline’s teeth on edge. “Because I have it on very good authority that our claim will be verified before the end of the month.”

Caroline grabbed the door handle and half-turned to curtsy to Mrs. Scutton. “If that is the case, I am very glad for you, but it doesn’t change my decision.”

“This is what happens when a young woman isn’t under the protection of her family.” Mr. Scutton looked at his mother. “She develops alarmingly independent thoughts and habits.”

There was much Caroline wanted to say to Mr. Scutton, but all of it would only confirm his suspicions of her desire for independence.

She reminded herself that both he and his mother would be gone soon.

She was an adult, and they had no legal reasons to compel her to return to Morton House.

The notion of returning to the north with Mrs. Frogerton was becoming more compelling every day.