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

“I must admit, when I heard that she employed you , I feared the worst, yet she treats you almost like a member of her family.”

“As I said, she is immensely kind. I couldn’t have found a better employer.”

A slight frown appeared between his brows. “With respect, the fact that you had to seek employment as a titled lady is appalling. One has to wonder at the past earl’s priorities in life.”

“His priority was himself,” Caroline said. “He thought only of his needs and his pleasure and had no interest in supporting his family. He even took our doweries and used them to fund his excesses, leaving my sister and me with nothing.”

“I … am sorry for that.”

“It was hardly your fault, sir.”

“I know, but the thought that someone I am even remotely connected with did that to his own children doesn’t sit well with me.”

“Then you are obviously a far better man than my father.” Caroline offered him a smile. “Shall we sit down? I am interested in discovering exactly how we are related.”

“I believe it’s quite complicated.” Mr. Scutton joined her on the couch.

“My grandfather—or was it my great-grandfather? Mr. Potkins will know—was a younger son of the Earl of Morton. He took a job as the earl’s steward for one of his country properties and married his housekeeper, hence the rest of the family giving him the cold shoulder for years. ”

Caroline sifted through her knowledge of the family tree. “I should imagine it was your great-grandfather. He was one of six boys.”

Mrs. Frogerton joined the conversation. “If that is correct, Caroline, then surely the family name should still be Morton?”

“Then I must have missed out a step, ma’am.” Mr. Scutton didn’t look concerned or sound guilty at being questioned about his birthright. “My mother knows all the details.”

Mrs. Scutton nodded. “At one point the family name was Morton. But when Thomas’s great-grandfather married beneath him, the family threatened to disown him.

He ignored their threats and instead took on his wife’s family name, probably to annoy his father.

He obviously succeeded, because his allowance was cut off, and he used the name Scutton from then on.

My husband had Morton as one of his baptismal names, which is why I was aware of some connection to the earldom. ”

“It’s all rather complicated,” Mrs. Frogerton agreed. “But that’s probably why it is taking so long to untangle.”

“The College of Arms are most diligent,” Mr. Potkins said.

“I have complete faith in their ability to come to the correct decision.” He rose to his feet.

“I fear I must leave you, Mrs. Frogerton. I have work to do at the office.” He turned to Mrs. Scutton.

“I will have your bags delivered here, ma’am, and I’ll call as soon as I have word from the College of Arms.”

“Thank you, Mr. Potkins.” Mrs. Scutton smiled at him. “You have been most accommodating.”

“I’d like to get this matter resolved as soon as possible. It is never good for an estate to be in flux.”

Mr. Scutton stood and went over to shake Mr. Potkins’s hand. “Thank you, sir.”

After lunch, Caroline took Mrs. Brigham up to her bedroom, which was between her mother and brother’s. It had once been Susan’s room, and its emptiness and willingness to be occupied by another reinforced the fact that Susan was not coming back.

“I hope you will be comfortable, ma’am.” Caroline smiled at Mrs. Brigham. “If there is anything you need, please ring the bell, and one of the maids will attend to you. Dinner will be served at six.”

Mrs. Brigham untied the ribbons of her black bonnet and threw it on the bed. “Even though I don’t think we’re related in the slightest, I’d prefer it if you’d call me Mary.”

“You don’t believe your brother is the heir to the earldom?” Caroline asked.

“It seems ridiculous to me. But if my mother sets her mind to something, she’s determined it will happen.

” Mary sighed. “I told Thomas not to go along with her fantasies, but he always listens to her first.” There was a note of grievance in her voice that indicated relations between her and her mother were not amicable.

“Did you mention your concerns to Mr. Potkins?” Caroline asked.

“Of course not. My mother would disown me.” Mary took off her pelisse to reveal a gown of unrelieved black. “Do you know when my belongings will arrive? I’d like to change for dinner.”

“I’ll go and check,” Caroline promised as she turned to the door. “I assume they’ll be here shortly.”

She came down the stairs to discover Mrs. Scutton having a heated argument with an older man who had clearly brought the luggage in.

He wore an old-fashioned frock coat, well-worn riding boots, and a faded felt hat that had molded itself to the shape of his head.

Caroline paused on the turn of the stair, unsure whether or not to interrupt.

“Ah! Lady Caroline.” Mrs. Scutton looked up and beckoned to her. “I was just telling Jude we would no longer require his services and that he could return home on the mail coach tomorrow.”

Jude took off his hat and bowed. “Pleasure to meet you, miss.”

“Lady Caroline is the daughter of the late Earl of Morton, Jude,” Mrs. Scutton said.

Jude studied her carefully and nodded. “Aye, I can see it, now.”

“Did you know my family, sir?” Caroline asked.

“In a manner of speaking.”

Caroline was just about to ask him to elaborate when Mrs. Scutton pointedly cleared her throat. “As I was saying, Jude. There is no reason for you to stay in London.”

“But I promised Mr. Scutton I’d always stay with you,” Jude said. “Especially in a place like this.” He glanced around the pristine hall as if he was in a brothel.

Caroline hastened to intervene. “I’m sure Mrs. Frogerton could find room for—”

Mrs. Scutton spoke over her. “I can’t expect her to house my servants, Lady Caroline.

It would be too much of an imposition, and Jude is needed at home.

” She turned to the man. “You can stay at the Blue Boar Cellar in Aldgate where the coach calling at Epping leaves from. I will provide you with the necessary funds for your return.”

“It’s not safe to leave you and your children here, ma’am.” Jude shook his head. “This isn’t the right path for you.”

Mrs. Scutton took out her purse and counted out some coins. “This should suffice to pay for your accommodation and ticket.”

“But Mr. Scutton said—”

“Mr. William Scutton is dead. I am in charge of the family now, Jude, and I am asking you to go home and look after my property until I return.”

Caroline glanced at Jenkins, who had silently appeared behind her. “Can you help Mrs. Scutton’s man find his way to the Blue Boar Cellar in Aldgate?”

“Yes, of course, Miss Morton.” The butler gestured to Jude. “Would you please follow me?”

After one last glare at Mrs. Scutton, Jude reluctantly departed in the butler’s care.

Mrs. Scutton let out a breath. “Thank you, I thought he’d refuse to go.”

“His care for your welfare is to be commended, ma’am,” Caroline said.

“He is a terrible worrier,” Mrs. Scutton conceded. “But perhaps not best suited to a life in London.” She sighed. “It has all been something of a whirlwind. I’m not surprised he’s upset.”

“Jenkins will have your bags sent up when he returns,” Caroline said. “Would you like me to escort you to your bedchamber?”

“Yes, please.” Mrs. Scutton smiled at her as they went up the stairs. “This house is larger than it looks.”

“And has far too many flights of stairs,” Caroline agreed as they ascended two floors. “Here you are, ma’am. Your room looks out over the back garden and is remarkably quiet.”

“Thank you.” Mrs. Scutton hesitated. “Is it difficult for you being in such a position in this house?”

“I am very content here.” As Mrs. Scutton talked, Caroline walked around making sure everything in the room met Mrs. Frogerton’s high standards.

“I meant being employed when you are the daughter of an earl.”

“There’s no shame in earning a wage when you need it to survive, ma’am,” Caroline said. “And Mrs. Frogerton is a generous employer.”

“Still …” Mrs. Scutton trailed off, her gaze on Caroline’s face. “It can’t have been easy.”

Caroline smiled. She had no intention of sharing confidences with a woman she had just met, especially one who might be connected to the Morton family.

“Is everything to your satisfaction, Mrs. Scutton? Dinner will be served at six. If you need anything in the meantime, please ring for one of the maids.”

“I will, thank you.” Mrs. Scutton paused. “If you do need someone to talk to about your … situation, I am more than happy to listen.”

“Thank you.” Caroline left Mrs. Scutton and went to find Mrs. Frogerton.

Her employer was enjoying a gentle nap in her chair surrounded by her dogs. None of them stirred as Caroline sat opposite her. It was a good opportunity to consider her first impressions of the Scuttons without Mrs. Frogerton’s enthusiastic assistance.

Mrs. Scutton seemed pleasant and obviously controlled her family.

Mary wasn’t happy and was not averse to sharing her discomfort with anyone prepared to listen.

And Mr. Scutton? What went on behind that quiet exterior?

Was he as ambitious as his mother, or did he share his sister’s reluctance? It was too early to tell.

A bump on the landing as the Scuttons’ luggage was taken upstairs woke Mrs. Frogerton with something of a start. She blinked at Caroline as she sat upright and adjusted her lace cap. “Well, what a to-do! I have many thoughts to share about our guests, but I’d rather hear your opinions first.”

“I’m not sure what to think, ma’am,” Caroline said. “They seem pleasant enough.”

“Apart from the widowed Mrs. Brigham. I’ll wager she is not a willing participant in this matter, which makes me wonder why they insisted on bringing her along.”

“Perhaps they didn’t wish to leave her in her bereaved state,” Caroline suggested.

“I suppose that might be it.” Mrs. Frogerton frowned. “But she can hardly aid their cause.”

“She told me she is skeptical of her brother’s claims.”

“Did she now!” Mrs. Frogerton smiled. “How interesting! It does all seem a little confusing. One might think they’d have their story straight.”

“But perhaps that very confusion signals that there is nothing to be investigated?” Caroline suggested. “If they’d all sang from the same hymn book, we might be suspicious of such uniformity.”

“Are you inclined to believe them, my dear?”

“I’m not sure,” Caroline said slowly.

“Then let’s do our best to come to a conclusion over the next few days,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “I am in two minds about their sincerity myself.”