Page 34 of Miss Morton and the Missing Heir (A Miss Morton Mystery #4)

T he next morning, Caroline was just coming down the stairs from her bedroom when she spied one of the maids standing by the open door of what had been Mary’s room.

The girl looked up as Caroline approached her and bobbed a curtsy.

She had red hair and freckles, a wide, generous mouth, and a shy smile.

“Good morning, Ellie,” Caroline said.

“Is it true, miss?”

“Is what true?”

“That Mrs. Brigham was murdered right here?” Ellie pointed at the bed.

“Yes, unfortunately that is true,” Caroline said gently. “You were away visiting your family, I believe.”

“Yes, miss. My mother was due to deliver her baby, so I went to help out.”

“Did everything go well?”

“Yes, miss.” Ellie smiled. “A lovely baby girl.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Caroline said. “What with the sad events happening here.”

“But when did it happen?” Ellie asked. “I brought Mrs. Brigham her dinner up on my last night before I got the mail coach to Dorset. She was happy as a lark because her husband was coming to see her.” Ellie paused. “She told me not to tell anyone about that, but it hardly matters now.”

“Mrs. Brigham told you her husband was planning on visiting her?”

“Yes, miss. She was very excited about it and made me lace her into her best dress so that she could welcome him properly.”

“Did she ask you to let Mr. Brigham in the house?”

Ellie bit her lip. “Not exactly, miss. She asked me to make sure the back door was open—which it usually was when Cook was preparing a dinner party, because it gets so hot in the kitchen.”

“What about the gate at the bottom of the garden into the mews?” Caroline asked. “Did you open that?”

“No, miss.”

“Did it occur to you that Mrs. Frogerton should’ve been told Mr. Brigham was in her house?”

Ellie’s cheek went a dull red. “I … thought it was romantic, miss. Mrs. Brigham wanted it to be secret, so I promised I wouldn’t say anything to anyone.”

Caroline tried to gather her thoughts. “So, you brought up Mrs. Brigham’s dinner, made sure the Brighams could gain access to the house, and left for your trip before all the screaming started?”

“I never heard any screaming.” For the first time, Ellie sounded defensive. “I waited until I saw Mr. Brigham and his brother come down the back stairs, I locked the door behind them, and then left myself.”

“You saw Mr. Brigham and his brother leave ?”

“Yes, miss.” Ellie’s confusion was plain on her face. “Mr. Brigham winked and tossed me a shilling for my trouble.”

“They did not appear to be hurrying or seem agitated in any way?” Caroline asked.

“No, miss.”

“Come with me.” Caroline took Ellie by the elbow and started for the stairs. “Mrs. Frogerton needs to hear this.”

Mrs. Frogerton and both the Scuttons were seated at the breakfast table when Caroline came in with an increasingly reluctant Ellie in tow.

Mrs. Frogerton smiled at the maid. “I’m glad to see you have returned safely, Ellie. Is your mother doing better now?”

Ellie bobbed a curtsy. “Yes, ma’am. She and the baby are thriving, and she has my sister Agnes to help her.”

“That is excellent news.” Mrs. Frogerton smiled and glanced at Caroline inquiringly. “Is there something amiss?”

Caroline took a slow breath. “Ellie was here on the evening Mary was murdered.”

“And?” Mrs. Scutton asked. “What about it?”

“Perhaps Ellie wishes to offer you her condolences in person, ma’am,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “Seeing as she was away when the tragedy happened.”

“I hardly think—”

Caroline spoke over Mrs. Scutton. “Ellie saw the Brigham brothers.”

A peculiar silence settled over the table.

Mrs. Frogerton was the first to break it. She addressed her question directly to Ellie, her voice gentle. “Is that true, lass?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Ellie looked distinctly uncomfortable, her gaze moving between Mrs. Scutton and her employer. “I didn’t mean any harm. …”

“No one is accusing you of anything, Ellie,” Mrs. Frogerton reassured her. “It’s just that when Inspector Ross interviewed the rest of the staff, no one saw them leave the house.”

“I’m more than happy to tell the Inspector what I saw, ma’am,” Ellie said in a rush. “They didn’t do nothing untoward.”

“Nothing untoward?” Mrs. Scutton said. “Except murder my daughter.”

Ellie’s mouth opened. “What?”

“Mr. Brigham is accused of murdering his wife, Ellie,” Caroline said. “I assumed you knew that.”

“No, miss. I’ve hardly had a moment to myself since I got back. Lizzie just told me not to bother cleaning Mrs. Brigham’s room because she had been murdered, and that was that.” Ellie started sobbing. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry if I’ve caused offense, ma’am, but—”

“It’s quite understandable, Ellie.” Mrs. Frogerton came over and patted her on the shoulder.

“Now, after you and Lizzie finish your work, ask Cook if she needs you for anything further. If she says no, you are to put on your bonnet and cloak and come find me. I’ll take you to see Inspector Ross, and you can tell him exactly what you saw. ”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.” Ellie curtsied and almost ran out of the room.

Caroline waited until Ellie closed the door behind her before addressing Mrs. Frogerton.

“Ellie said Mrs. Brigham swore her to secrecy about Albert coming to visit her. She was asked to make sure that the kitchen door remained open when Mr. Brigham required entry. She insists that she had nothing to do with the door to the mews being unlocked.”

“She deliberately let him in,” Mrs. Scutton said. “She is almost as guilty as my son-in-law.”

“Hardly, Mama,” Mr. Scutton said. “She’s just a simple serving girl who tried to do what she was asked by a superior who could’ve had her fired if she didn’t. The only person responsible for Mary’s death is Mr. Brigham.”

“And those who aided him.” Mrs. Scutton glared at her son. “Those who willingly paid off debts and released a monster back into the world.”

“I have explained my reasons for doing that on numerous occasions, Mama. I refuse to repeat them again.” Mr. Scutton glared back at her. “I also refuse to allow you to use me as a scapegoat.”

“Then perhaps you prefer the term collaborator?” Mrs. Scutton said.

“Now what?” Mr. Scutton flung up his hands. “What ridiculous new accusation will you lay against me?”

“Perhaps your relationship with Albert went deeper than I thought.” Mrs. Scutton rose to her feet. “Think on that, Thomas.”

Mr. Scutton shot to his feet, but his mother had already left, slamming the door behind her.

He sat down and looked at Mrs. Frogerton. “Yet again, I must apologize for my mother’s behavior at your table, ma’am. As you can tell, she is still struggling with her grief over Mary’s death.”

“That’s quite all right, Mr. Scutton,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “When someone dies so tragically, I fear it is inevitable that people look to blame others. You were correct to remind her that the only person responsible for Mrs. Brigham’s death was Mary’s husband.”

“Thank you for your understanding, ma’am.” Mr. Scutton inclined his head. “I believe my mother feels guilty that she couldn’t save Mary.”

“I’m quite sure she does,” Mrs. Frogerton agreed. “I would feel the same if anything happened to my daughter.”

Mr. Scutton returned to his breakfast and Caroline helped herself to some tea and buttered toast. She wasn’t really hungry, as the events of the morning had robbed her of her appetite, but she needed to keep up appearances.

She couldn’t stop wondering what else Ellie might have to say when faced with Inspector Ross’s official questions.

Would she admit to unlocking the rear gate or to passing messages to Mr. Brigham from his wife?

Eventually, Mr. Scutton folded up his newspaper, tucked it under his arm, and stood up. “I will go speak to my mother.” He sighed. “I doubt it will do much good, but I can’t have her telling everyone I colluded in the murder of my own sister.”

“I’m sure she doesn’t really think that, Mr. Scutton,” Mrs. Frogerton said.

“I admire your optimism, ma’am.” He bowed and left the room.

Caroline looked at Mrs. Frogerton. “I can’t believe Mrs. Scutton voiced out loud the same suspicions we have of Mr. Scutton.”

“It was rather a surprise,” Mrs. Frogerton agreed. “But grief can do peculiar things to people. Mrs. Scutton is obviously suffering far more than we realized if she feels the need to accuse her son of being an accomplice to murder.”

“Perhaps she thinks that when he becomes a peer, he will be immune to prosecution,” Caroline said. “And that it doesn’t matter what he’s done.”

“Is that true?” Mrs. Frogerton asked.

“Not quite. He can stand trial in front of a jury of his peers, which in his case would be the House of Lords.”

“No lord is going to convict another lord.” Mrs. Frogerton made a face. “It’s just not done.”

“I fear you are correct, ma’am.” Caroline hesitated. “Ellie told me that when the Brighams were leaving, they were in high spirits, and that Mr. Brigham gave her a shilling for her help.”

“That seems remarkably macabre, does it not?” Mrs. Frogerton asked with a shudder. “Did they enjoy murdering an innocent?”

“It does make them appear heartless, ma’am. Perhaps this isn’t the first time they’ve killed.” Caroline sighed. “The sooner we can get Ellie to speak to Inspector Ross, the better.”

“I quite agree.” Mrs. Frogerton glanced at the clock. “Perhaps I’ll ask Cook if she’ll let Ellie come with us right now.”

Caroline stood up. “Then I’ll order the carriage, ma’am, and wait for Ellie in the hall.”

She was almost at the door when Mrs. Frogerton made an exasperated sound. “Oh, dear.”

“What is it, ma’am?” Caroline turned back.

“I’ve just remembered I can’t come with you,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “The manager of my woolen mill is in London today, and he’s coming to see me this morning.”

“I’m happy to act as your deputy, ma’am,” Caroline said.