Page 28 of Miss Morton and the Missing Heir (A Miss Morton Mystery #4)

“I can’t think of anything, ma’am. Although I can’t help wondering why Mary found it necessary to give some of her possessions to Jude in the first place.”

“Presumably because she was scared of something—or someone,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “But who was it, her family or her husband?”

Mr. Scutton arrived back with a face as sour as a gooseberry and reported that all his efforts to remove Inspector Ross from the case had been ignored.

“And what is worse,” he said, “I was told to stop interfering!”

Mrs. Frogerton tried to look sympathetic but couldn’t quite manage it. Caroline didn’t even make the attempt. In her opinion, the sooner the Scuttons were gone from Half Moon Street, the better.

“Perhaps it is wise to leave these things to the professionals, Mr. Scutton,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “I’m sure your mother will be most understanding when you explain it to her.”

“I won’t say anything to her at all unless she asks me directly, ma’am,” Mr. Scutton said. “I prefer not to worry her.”

“How very wise of you, sir,” Mrs. Frogerton murmured. “I suppose that’s why you didn’t mention those empty jewelry boxes to her earlier.”

The glance Mr. Scutton threw her was sharp. “Exactly.”

“Did you ever find out what happened to the contents?” Mrs. Frogerton asked.

“I assume Albert took the jewelry back at some point and then sold or pawned it.” He paused. “It would be just like my sister to believe him if he said he’d get the jewelry back for her. That’s probably why she kept the boxes.”

“The poor child,” Mrs. Frogerton said softly. “To be so cruelly deceived.”

Mr. Scutton swallowed hard and looked anywhere but at Mrs. Frogerton. “By the way, where is my mother?”

“She retired to her room earlier.” Mrs. Frogerton paused. “Yesterday, when we delivered Mary’s belongings to Epping, Miss Smith entrusted a letter to us that Mary had written to her mother.”

Mr. Scutton raised his eyebrows. “A letter ?”

“Apparently, Mary gave it to Jude to take back to Epping with him, and it arrived safely in his trunk, even though he did not,” Mrs. Frogerton explained. “As you might imagine, Mrs. Scutton was quite overset by this.”

“I must go to her.” Mr. Scutton turned on his heel and left the room at some speed.

Mrs. Frogerton raised her eyebrows and gestured to the door. “Hurry along, lass. If you go into the spare bedchamber next to Mrs. Scutton’s, you might overhear what is being said.”

Caroline did as she was asked, but not without an element of doubt.

Being caught eavesdropping by the Scuttons wouldn’t endear her to either of them.

She tried to walk nonchalantly along the corridor as if she had a legitimate purpose and only diverted into the spare room at the last second.

It took her a moment to slow her breathing and to consider how best she might hear what was going on next door.

The fireplace adjoined the one in Mrs. Scutton’s room and was separated only by only a thin brick wall.

Feeling slightly ridiculous, Caroline knelt on the hearthrug and leaned in toward the chimney.

Unfortunately, she could barely distinguish between the two voices, let alone hear what they might be saying to each other.

She let out a frustrated breath, stirring the soot.

She devoutly hoped she wasn’t now coated with it.

As she gazed down at her gown, she caught sight of something stuck in the grate, and she bent to examine it.

A piece of slightly singed metallic cord was tangled between the grate’s bars.

She tried to ease it out, but it was attached at both ends.

She followed the line of the cord and discovered it was knotted around what appeared to be the back of an earring.

At the other end there was the scrap of a label or note of some kind.

Caroline slowly untangled the cord and wrapped her find within the folds of her handkerchief.

She stood up just in time to hear someone leave Mrs. Scutton’s room.

She prayed she would remain undiscovered as footsteps went past her and another door opened farther along the corridor.

After a few moments, when all had gone quiet, she left the room, tiptoed past Mrs. Scutton’s door, and went down to the drawing room, where Mrs. Frogerton awaited her.

“Well? Did you hear anything interesting?” Mrs. Frogerton asked. She was sitting at her writing desk, her pen poised over the paper.

“No, they were speaking too quietly, but I did recover something odd from the fireplace.” Caroline went to sit beside Mrs. Frogerton and took out her handkerchief. “How it didn’t get completely burned, I’ll never know.”

“What is it?” Mrs. Frogerton put on her spectacles and poked the chain. “Is that part of an earring?”

“I believe so, and there’s a remnant of a tag on the other end.” Caroline attempted to remove some of the soot from the item. “I can’t tell if it’s a maker’s label or some kind of note.”

“It is difficult to tell,” Mrs. Frogerton peered closely at the earring. “There’s a hallmark on there. That might help.”

“If it’s from one of the emptied jewelry boxes, I could take it to Rundell’s and see if they recognize it,” Caroline suggested.

“What a good idea,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “Although why Mary would be throwing perfectly good jewelry into the fire is beyond me.”

“I doubt she was the person throwing it, ma’am. It’s more likely that whoever took the jewelry from the boxes discarded anything they didn’t think was valuable.”

“Then it must have been a man, because any woman would know to take the earring back part to the jewelers and ask them to fix it.” Mrs. Frogerton said. “One earring is far less valuable than a pair. Once you’ve had your lunch, you can take the carriage and make a call on Rundell’s in Ludgate Hill.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And, by the way. Mr. Lewis is coming to eat with us and wishes to speak to you.”

Caroline concealed a sigh and offered her employer a bright smile. “How very pleasant. I’ll just arrange for a messenger to take your note to Miss Smith, and I’ll be back to greet Mr. Lewis when he arrives.”

Mr. Lewis was in a jovial mood and more inclined to chat over lunch than bother Caroline with business. As Mr. Scutton had joined them, Caroline was relieved Mr. Lewis kept his counsel.

After his second slice of lemon soufflé, he patted his stomach and looked over at Caroline. “Can you spare me a few moments, my lady? I have news from South Africa.”

“Of course, Mr. Lewis.” Caroline rose to her feet. “We can speak in Mrs. Frogerton’s study.”

Mr. Scutton cleared his throat. “Would you like me to accompany Lady Caroline, Mr. Lewis? I am the head of the Morton family.”

“That won’t be necessary, sir,” Caroline spoke for herself. “I will deal with this matter.”

She left the dining room and opened the door into Mrs. Frogerton’s study to allow Mr. Lewis to follow her in.

“Scutton seems a decent enough chap,” Mr. Lewis commented after they entered the study. “Very respectful and quite rightly concerned about your prospects.”

“My prospects have nothing to do with the Morton estate,” Caroline said.

“I’m quite aware of that, my lady. I can assure you he’ll get no information out of me without your agreement.” Mr. Lewis smiled. “Mr. Scutton has already tried to assert his right to know your business, and I very politely put him off.”

“Thank you.” Caroline smiled. “Now, what is it you wish to speak to me about?”

He indicated the two chairs in front of the fire, waited until she sat down, and then took the other seat.

“I’ve had more information from the potential buyer of the mines and the adjoining land.

” He took out a packet of letters from his pocket and handed them over to Caroline.

“Here is all the correspondence between my office and the buyers for you to read at your leisure. My clerk has already made me copies.”

“Do you think they are serious buyers?” Caroline asked.

“Yes, indeed. They are a young company, but they have big ambitions to succeed and appear to be fulfilling them. Miss DeBloom’s lawyers gave me an excellent report on their financial status and prospects.”

“But Miss DeBloom simply wants to get rid of her share of the business,” Caroline pointed out. “She’d probably be willing to believe anyone.”

“Which is why I consulted other mining experts both in England and Africa to verify their claims.” He smiled at her.

“I’m not going to allow anyone to beggar you a second time, my lady, I can promise you that.

” He rose to his feet. “Please read the letters and my notes and let me know if you have any questions. I believe this is an excellent opportunity that will offer you a substantial financial reward.”

“Thank you.” Caroline stood, too. “I’ll let you know my thoughts when I’ve thoroughly reviewed this information.”

“I’d expect no less of you.” He headed for the entrance hall. “I won’t bother Mrs. Frogerton again, so I’ll see myself out.” He collected his hat and gloves from the table beside the front door. “Good afternoon, Lady Caroline.”

“Good afternoon, sir.”

Caroline went back up to the drawing room, the packet of letters in her hand.

“Was Mr. Lewis helpful?” Mrs. Frogerton asked.

“He believes there is a serious buyer for the DeBloom land and mines and wishes me to consider their offer.”

“How exciting! Did he mention the name of this company?”

Caroline extracted the first letter from the pile and spread it out to read it. “They are called DeBeers.”

“DeBeers?” Mr. Scutton, whom Caroline hadn’t realized was standing by the far window overlooking the street, turned to stare at her. “I believe I’ve read about them in The Times .”

“Then they must be legitimate if The Times mentioned them,” Mrs. Frogerton said as Caroline wished she hadn’t opened her mouth before assuring herself that they were alone. “I’ll have to look out for that name when I read the business news.”

Mr. Scutton came over to Mrs. Frogerton’s chair. “I wish you would use your influence, ma’am, to impress on my cousin that I am more than willing to be her advisor in these complicated matters.”

Mrs. Frogerton chuckled. “I am the last person you should ask to intercede for you, Mr. Scutton. I am firmly of the opinion that women are perfectly capable of managing their own affairs.”

“With respect, ma’am, Lady Caroline is not like you. She’s been gently brought up and—”

Caroline stood up. “Mr. Scutton, I was managing my father’s household from the age of fourteen when my mother died.

I paid the wages, did the accounts, tried to stop my father from stealing the very food from our mouths, and dealt with the staff.

I am perfectly capable of understanding the ramifications of a financial deal. ”

“That is all very commendable, but—”

“I do not need your advice, sir, and I am becoming tired of repeating myself.”

Mr. Scutton drew himself up. “You are insulting me.”

“No, I am asking you to let me manage my own affairs without your interference.” Caroline kept her voice calm. She didn’t want Mr. Scutton accusing her of behaving like a hysterical female who didn’t know her own silly mind.

“I fear you will regret turning my offer of help away, my lady.” Mr. Scutton glared at her. “Your lack of femininity appalls me.”

“That’s quite enough, Mr. Scutton,” Mrs. Frogerton snapped. “May I remind you that you are a guest in my house and that insulting a member of my household is not acceptable.”

Mr. Scutton bowed. “I apologize to you, ma’am, but not to my cousin. My mother said she was willful. I made excuses for her, but not anymore.”

“If you truly feel like that, sir, I suggest you speak to your mother forthwith and find alternate accommodation.” Mrs. Frogerton wasn’t finished. “I am tired of your attempts to assert your rights in my house when all I have done is try to help you.”

Mr. Scutton stormed out, glaring at Caroline as he went past, as if it was all her fault.

“I’m sorry, lass, but he deserved that,” Mrs. Frogerton said.

“I’m glad you spoke up, ma’am. He deserved every word. Perhaps we should both go to the jewelers while Mr. Scutton speaks to his mother?”

Mrs. Frogerton looked up. “Oh, no, lass. If they’re leaving, I want to be here to witness it myself.”

“Then perhaps I should stay?” Caroline suggested.

“It’s not me they dislike, dear. You’re better off out of it.” Mrs. Frogerton folded her hands in her lap and sat up straight. “They’ll not be besting me, lass. Don’t you worry about that.”