Page 30 of Miss Morton and the Missing Heir (A Miss Morton Mystery #4)

“About time, too,” Mrs. Scutton said. “And has he confessed to murdering my daughter?”

“Not yet, ma’am.”

Mr. Scutton frowned. “I assume you have at least charged him with the murder?”

“Yes, sir,” Inspector Ross said.

“Did you have to go all the way to Ireland to force him to face his crimes?” Mrs. Scutton asked.

“No, he came back voluntarily.”

“Isn’t that an odd thing to do?” Mrs. Frogerton wondered. “He must have known he’d be held on the charge of murder.”

“Mr. Brigham insists he has no knowledge of the crime.”

“Another lie.” Mrs. Scutton shook her head. “I hope you’ll be more successful at getting him to confess than you were with his brother.”

“I’m sure Inspector Ross will do his best,” Mrs. Frogerton said.

“But how can Albert even claim such a thing?” Mrs. Scutton wasn’t finished. “Does he think we are all stupid? That we have collectively forgotten how he deceived us, stole from us, and ultimately murdered my daughter?”

“Mama …” Mr. Scutton murmured. “Please don’t upset yourself.”

“I am merely trying to understand how that … man can deny murdering Mary.” Mrs. Scutton dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. “Is he aware that I am still alive, or did he assume his brother finished me off, too?”

“I will certainly find that out, ma’am,” Inspector Ross said. “At some point, Mr. Brigham will begin to understand that we have all the evidence we need to convict him and will confess his crimes.”

“I’ll testify against him in court, Inspector, don’t you worry about that,” Mrs. Scutton said. “It would give me immense pleasure to watch him hang!”

For a brief moment, Inspector Ross’s gaze met Caroline’s, and she noted his distaste for Mrs. Scutton’s declarations.

He quickly assumed a more neutral expression. “Your testimony would be most valuable, Mrs. Scutton.”

“I expect you to keep us informed as to exactly what Albert is saying, Inspector,” Mr. Scutton said.

“I will do what I can, sir.” Inspector Ross inclined his head. “You must understand that I can’t give away information that should first be heard in a court of law.”

“Surely you can tell us?” Mr. Scutton countered. “We’re hardly going to broadcast it on the street.”

“As I said, I’ll do my best to keep you informed.” He turned to Mrs. Frogerton. “I apologize for interrupting your dinner, but I thought it important to inform your guests as soon as possible.”

“That was very thoughtful of you, Inspector.” Mrs. Frogerton smiled at him. “It will be interesting to see how Mr. Brigham thinks to wiggle out of this.”

“Indeed, ma’am.” Inspector Ross turned to the door. “I’ll wish you all a good evening.”

After a nod from Mrs. Frogerton, Caroline followed him out of the room and into the entrance hall. He was reclaiming his hat and gloves and didn’t see her immediately. She was struck by the lines of strain on his face.

She moved instinctively toward him. “Is everything all right, Inspector?”

He almost startled as she reached out to him. “Lady Caroline.”

“You seem rather tired.”

He half-smiled. “My brother is dying in agony. I’m spending all my free time with him while attempting to keep my job and secure a conviction against Albert Brigham.”

“I’m so sorry.” She met his gaze. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“If there was anything, you’d be the first person I’d ask,” he said softly. “You have a great deal of kindness inside you, my lady.”

“Hardly that,” Caroline demurred. “I’m simply … worried about you .”

He bent his head and brushed a kiss over her forehead. “I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your concern at this moment. It is one of the few things keeping me going.”

“If you wish me to sit with your brother—”

His faint smile disappeared. “I wouldn’t expose you to his vitriol as he rages against the death he’s been seeking for years.”

“Ah, but it wouldn’t affect me as profoundly as it does you because he means nothing to me. If you or your family need help, please don’t hesitate to ask. I have some slight acquaintance with your mother, the marchioness, and I’m certain Mrs. Frogerton wouldn’t object.”

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You are a strong and resilient woman, Lady Caroline.” He reluctantly released her. “And there is much more I would like to say on this subject, but this is hardly the right time or place.”

He picked up his hat. “Tell Mrs. Frogerton that I’ll keep you informed about the investigation. If I can’t come myself, I’ll send Sergeant Dawson in my stead.”

“Is there any hope that your brother will rally?” Caroline asked.

“No. This is the end for him.” He grimaced. “He has hours, maybe days? All I know is that I am expected to be there when the worst happens, and it’s the last place I’d ever wanted to be in my life.” He turned to the door. “I must go, or I’ll be sobbing on your shoulder like a little boy.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you did,” Caroline said. “You have much to bear.”

His expression softened. “You really are a jewel, my dear.”

He left, and Caroline stayed where she was, shocked at her temerity. She’d asked Inspector Ross about intimate matters, and he’d willingly answered her. He’d kissed her on the forehead, and she’d offered to comfort him.

After a few moments to compose herself, she went into the dining room and sat back down.

“You took your time,” Mrs. Scutton said.

Caroline looked at her. “I beg your pardon?”

“You should watch your reputation, my dear,” Mrs. Scutton said. “Allowing yourself to be alone with men will do nothing for your future prospects.”

“Inspector Ross is from one of the finest families in the land, ma’am.” Caroline refused to back down. “And if Mrs. Frogerton sees no harm in the connection, then I am happy to continue it.”

“I see no harm in it,” Mrs. Frogerton agreed.

Mrs. Scutton leaned forward. “With respect, ma’am, Lady Caroline belongs to a world that you are perhaps unfamiliar with—”

“Unfamiliar with?” Mrs. Frogerton raised her eyebrows. “My daughter is a viscountess. She has been presented at court. All the best families came to her wedding, didn’t they, Caroline?”

“Indeed, they did, ma’am. Including two of the royal dukes.” Caroline smiled at her. “And both of them made a point of seeking you out and congratulating you on your daughter’s marriage.”

“Well, there you are, then.” Mrs. Frogerton picked up her wineglass. “Caroline is in excellent company and should continue to behave as she thinks fit.”

Mrs. Scutton opened her mouth to speak but, after a glance at her son, closed it again and returned her attention to her dinner.

Mr. Scutton cleared his throat. “At least Albert’s been apprehended. That is good news.”

“As he turned himself in, the police can hardly claim any credit,” Mrs. Scutton couldn’t resist adding.

“One assumes he turned himself in because he realized he was unable to leave the country due to police presence at the ports,” Mrs. Frogerton said.

“Perhaps he came back because of his brother,” Caroline suggested. “I understand they were close.”

“Where did you get that idea from?” Mrs. Scutton asked.

“Mary mentioned that her husband came from a large and loving family, ma’am,” Caroline explained.

“Loving enough to stick together and murder my only daughter,” Mrs. Scutton said. “I warned her that they were no good, but would she listen to me?”

It was a familiar refrain and one that neither Caroline nor Mrs. Frogerton had an answer for. Mrs. Scutton sighed into the awkward silence.

“I think I’ll retire.”

Mr. Scutton rose to his feet. “I’ll accompany you upstairs, Mama.”

Caroline barely waited until they’d left before she turned to Mrs. Frogerton. “Inspector Ross’s brother is dying.”

“Oh, dear. I did wonder if something else was amiss,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “The poor man.”

“As the potential heir, he is required to be at Richard’s bedside and is finding it quite difficult.”

“I’m not surprised, lass. He never sought a title.” Mrs. Frogerton shook her head.

“I offered to sit with Richard if it helped,” Caroline said.

“That was good of you. I doubt he’ll take you up on it, but I’m glad you thought to ask.”

“I have some acquaintance with his family from the old days,” Caroline said. “And I must admit that I hoped releasing him from his brother’s sickbed might make it easier for him to conclude his investigation into Mary’s murder.”

“I don’t think it will be long before Mr. Brigham realizes he has nowhere to run, my dear. He cannot continue to lie when all the evidence points in his direction.”

“Then why is he bothering to do so?” Caroline asked the obvious question. “What does he gain from refusing to admit the truth?”

“Perhaps he expects to be saved?” Mrs. Frogerton asked. “He does seem to be something of a gambler.”

“He can hardly expect the Scuttons to save him this time,” Caroline said. “Mr. Scutton already paid off his debts, and look what happened then.”

“That’s an interesting point, lass.” Mrs. Frogerton frowned. “Why did Mr. Scutton choose to involve himself in this matter in the first place?”

“He said it was because he wanted Mary to be happy,”

“He didn’t tell his mother what he was doing because he must have known she would strenuously object.” Mrs. Frogerton fidgeted with the silk fringe of her shawl. “Something about his behavior doesn’t sit right with me.”

“Are you suggesting Albert Brigham might be telling the truth and had nothing to do with Mary’s murder?” Caroline asked.

“Not quite, lass. I’m just wondering whether Mr. Scutton had anything to do with it.”

“You think Mr. Scutton was complicit in the murder of his own sister?” Caroline raised her eyebrows. “You’ve mentioned this before, ma’am, and I thought we came to the conclusion that he wouldn’t hurt his sister like that.”

“We did.” Mrs. Frogerton sighed. “I suppose it’s because I can’t get around the thought that Mr. Scutton was the person who set this tragedy in motion by releasing Mr. Brigham from the debtors’ prison.”

Caroline stared at her employer.

“He’s always on the periphery, isn’t he?” Mrs. Frogerton said and then smiled. “I know what your next question will be. Why would Mr. Scutton conspire with the Brighams to murder Jude and his own sister?”

“To secure the earldom?” Caroline looked at her employer. “We’ve already discussed that, but I’m still not convinced.”

“Neither am I,” Mrs. Frogerton conceded. “I think it far more likely that Albert Brigham is living in a dreamland where he believes he’ll never pay for his crimes.”

“Or he is waiting for Mr. Scutton to save him again,” Caroline said slowly.

“Which would indicate Mr. Brigham has information Mr. Scutton would prefer not to be heard.”

For a moment, they stared at each other, and then Caroline stood up.

“Perhaps we should focus our attention on preparing Morton House for the Scuttons and let Inspector Ross worry about the Brighams.”

Mrs. Frogerton nodded. “I think you’re right, lass. All this speculation is giving me a headache.”