Page 37 of Miss Morton and the Missing Heir (A Miss Morton Mystery #4)

A fter their return to Half Moon Street, Caroline sent Ellie back to work and went upstairs to change her boots and redo her hair, which had started to come down after the scuffle. She found Mrs. Frogerton alone in the drawing room and immediately told her about what she and Ellie had seen.

“Mr. Scutton was talking to Albert? Good Lord.” Mrs. Frogerton shook her head. “What on earth is going on?”

“I saw them, too,” Caroline said. “But I think Ellie was mistaken that it was Albert. I’m fairly certain it was George. They are quite alike. I’m sure Inspector Ross would’ve mentioned it if Albert had been released.”

“More importantly, did Mr. Scutton see you?” Mrs. Frogerton frowned. “I cannot think he would want to be observed speaking to one of the men accused of murdering his sister.”

“I’m fairly certain he didn’t notice me. He was too intent on his conversation, and his back was turned toward me.” Caroline sat down opposite her employer. “Did you ask him to accompany us to the Yard for a particular reason?”

Mrs. Frogerton looked puzzled. “I didn’t ask him to do any such thing.”

“I’m certain he said you’d sent him to escort us. It does make me wonder whether your suspicions of Mr. Scutton are more on point than I realized.”

“Ha!” Mrs. Frogerton clapped her hands. “I am always right in the end, Caroline.”

Caroline frowned. “What did Mary know that would force her brother to form an alliance with her husband to murder her?”

Mrs. Frogerton took a while to answer. “It all comes down to the earldom, doesn’t it?”

“Which begs the question—what would stop Mr. Scutton from inheriting it?” Caroline asked.

“Roman Catholicism!” Mrs. Frogerton burst out. “Perhaps we’ve been looking at this from the wrong angle. What if Mr. Scutton is the secret Catholic?”

“That wouldn’t stop him inheriting the earldom, ma’am. Look at the Duke of Norfolk,” Caroline pointed out.

“But what if Mary found out from Albert that her brother was a practicing Catholic? Wouldn’t she think the worst of him?”

“As she seemed to be flirting with the idea of converting herself, or had done so in order to marry, I doubt she’d consider it a negative. In truth, I think she’d have been delighted.”

Mrs. Frogerton made a face. “Sometimes I wish you weren’t so logical, lass. You constantly throw water on all my best ideas.”

“I do apologize, ma’am, but we have to make sure we have our facts straight before we jump to conclusions.”

“You’re right.” Mrs. Frogerton sighed. “Which means the whole notion of him being a Catholic might mean nothing at all.”

“But there must be something important enough for him to feel he has to conceal it from the College of Arms and everyone else,” Caroline conceded.

“Oh!” Mrs. Frogerton sat up straight again. “Perhaps he’s illegitimate.” She raised her eyebrows when Caroline gaped at her. “From what I understand, if he’s not born in wedlock, he can’t inherit, correct?”

“Yes, in general terms, you are right.”

“How would we find that out?” Mrs. Frogerton asked. “Would they have such records in Epping?”

“I assume the church would have that information, ma’am, but one would hope the College of Arms would check something this important when judging a claim.”

“Mr. Scutton might have lied.” Mrs. Frogerton held up a finger. “I’ve just thought of something else. Mrs. Scutton married in some haste.”

“We don’t know that for certain, ma’am, and we can hardly ask her.”

“She met Mr. Scutton when she came down from London with an aristocratic family and married him within weeks.”

“But Mrs. Scutton might have met him on previous visits or enjoyed a long-standing correspondence with him, ma’am.”

Mrs. Frogerton gave her a severe look. “Caroline, you’re doing it again.”

“I’m simply trying—”

“We need to go back to Epping immediately.” Mrs. Frogerton got up, awakening all the dogs settled around her chair, and rang the bell. “I’ll ask Jenkins to tell the coachman to be ready to take us there tomorrow, and not a word to the Scuttons about where we’re going.”

As lunch commenced, Mr. Scutton came striding into the dining room looking most put out. He stopped beside Caroline. “Did your visit with Inspector Ross go well?”

“Yes, sir. Ellie was able to confirm that the Brighams were present in this house at the time of the murder, which helps Inspector Ross’s case immensely.”

“Thank goodness for that,” Mrs. Scutton commented. “I was beginning to think no one believed me.”

“We believed you, Mama,” Mr. Scutton said.

“I did wonder where you’d gotten to, Mr. Scutton,” Caro line said. “We couldn’t find you when we came out, and there was quite a brawl going on.”

Mr. Scutton’s smile wasn’t kind. “I had no desire to hang around Great Scotland Yard waiting to get my pocket picked. And, as you assured me that you didn’t require an escort, I decided to walk back.”

“Then no harm was done, was it?” Caroline smiled, knowing that he’d stood there, watched the fight in progress, and had made no effort to locate or help them. “Ellie and I managed to escape without injury.”

“Thank goodness.” Mrs. Frogerton wasn’t amused. “I’ve told you before about wandering around London without an escort, Caroline. That’s why I sent Mr. Scutton in the first place.”

Caroline waited to see if Mr. Scutton would react to Mrs. Frogerton’s comment, but he was already busy helping himself from the serving dishes on the sideboard.

“The hired furniture is arriving tomorrow at Morton House.” Mrs. Scutton was the first to break the uncomfortable silence.

“That is good news,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “Do you intend to go and supervise its arrival?”

“Thomas and I will both go,” Mrs. Scutton said. “Mr. Potkins has also found some staff for me to interview.”

“Having once been in service yourself, I’m sure you have strong views as to what makes a good servant, Mrs. Scutton,” Mrs. Frogerton said.

“My mother’s short experience as a domestic servant is hardly relevant, Mrs. Frogerton,” Mr. Scutton said as he sat down with his full plate.

“And, in future, when my mother is installed in my house, and I am the earl, I hope you’ll respect her privacy and not discuss her affairs with your friends. ”

“Why would Mrs. Scutton object?” Mrs. Frogerton said. “She has risen very far in life and should be proud of herself.”

“I am not ashamed of my past, Thomas,” Mrs. Scutton addressed her son. “Everything I have done has led you to this place and the inheritance of a peerage.”

“Exactly.” Mrs. Frogerton nodded. “Mrs. Scutton is to be commended.”

Mr. Scutton’s lips thinned, and he applied himself to his food.

“Caroline and I will be out for most of the day tomorrow as well.” Mrs. Frogerton said. “Mr. Lewis is taking me to see some property.”

“You have decided to buy a house in London?” Mrs. Scutton asked.

“No, I wouldn’t waste my money on that,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “This is property for business purposes.”

Mr. Scutton looked up. “Perhaps Lady Caroline would be better served coming to Morton House and sharing her preferences with us than touring industrial buildings.”

“I’m more than happy to go with Mrs. Frogerton, sir,” Caroline said. “Morton House is no longer my concern.”

He frowned. “Of course it is. You are a Morton.”

“I’m a mere female who can inherit nothing and who no longer expects anything from the Morton estate,” Caroline said.

“Thomas …” Mrs. Scutton looked at her son. “Perhaps it is time to be more direct.”

Mr. Scutton sighed. “Lady Caroline, I have tried to accommodate your desire to appear independent, and, as my mother often reminds me, such confidence is a requirement for a person of rank, but it is past time to stop pretending.”

“Pretending what, sir?” Caroline asked.

“That you will not be my wife.”

Caroline set her fork down carefully on her plate and tried not to look at Mrs. Frogerton, who had her mouth open.

Mr. Scutton continued. “It is apparently obvious to everyone but you that the best way to safeguard your future reputation and the Morton name is for you to marry me and unite both branches of the family.” Mr. Scutton sounded like he had a bad taste in his mouth, and he did not have the look of a man who embraced his future gladly.

“You should be grateful to Thomas for making this offer, Caroline,” Mrs. Scutton said. “And your gratitude should continue for the extent of your married life.”

“And what if I don’t care to be the next countess?” Caroline asked.

“Don’t be silly, dear.” Mrs. Scutton gave an indulgent laugh. “You’re not stupid. You cannot remain as you are.”

Caroline stood up, and Mr. Scutton rushed to follow suit. She pushed in her chair and curtsied. “Thank you for your generous offer, Mr. Scutton, but I fear we will not suit.”

“You don’t mean that,” Mr. Scutton said. “This is just hurt pride or some ridiculous sense of false superiority. I am offering you a marriage that will elevate you to the rank you deserve.”

“And I believe you should marry someone who deserves you , Mr. Scutton, and who will love you in return.”

“I am willing to give up love in order to marry,” Mr. Scutton said. “Why can’t you do the same?”

“Because I wish more than a marriage of convenience for both of us. Thank you again for the offer, but I will not be your wife.”

She’d almost reached the door when Mr. Scutton spoke again.

“If you think Inspector Ross will marry you when he becomes the heir of a marquess, you’ll be disappointed, miss.

He’s only dallying with you while he pretends to be a common man, but one sniff of that title, and he’ll dump you just like your first fiancé did. ”

“Mr. Scutton!” Mrs. Frogerton said in outraged tones. “How dare you?”

“If you refuse me now, Caroline, don’t come running back after Inspector Ross destroys your expectations.”