Page 7 of Miss Morton and the Missing Heir (A Miss Morton Mystery #4)

“Of course.” Mrs. Scutton waited until Caroline was at the door before continuing.

“If I might make a suggestion? I don’t think your presence will be needed in future meetings with Mr. Castle.

Thomas is quite capable of dealing with his inheritance on his own, and you appear to be something of a distraction. ”

“I only attended because Mr. Scutton asked me to do so,” Caroline said. “In truth, I’d be delighted not to be involved in anything to do with the earldom.”

“You sound quite bitter, my dear.”

Caroline manufactured a smile. “I believe I have a right to be, but rest assured, Mrs. Scutton, I will do nothing to stop your son from achieving his birthright.”

She left and went upstairs to the drawing room where Mrs. Frogerton was reading a novel. She shut the door with something of a bang.

“You will be pleased to hear that the unctuous Mr. Castle is so delighted that there might be an heir to the earldom that he and the bank are willing to staff and repair Morton House just for the convenience of the Scuttons.”

Mrs. Frogerton set the book aside. “I am rather surprised by such a notion, but I can’t say I’ll object if they have to leave my house.”

“You have been more than generous, ma’am. Never think that I don’t know that,” Caroline said. “I should not be bothering you with such matters.”

“What is setting you all to alt, dear?” Mrs. Frogerton studied her face.

“The fact that Mr. Castle is so willing to help the Scuttons who might not even be Mortons, and yet was fine with turning Susan and me out of our home, a place I could easily have maintained for the future earl, preventing its current state of disrepair from happening.”

“Sit down, lass.”

Caroline unwillingly complied. “Apparently if I’d been married or had an older male present in my life, I might have been offered the opportunity to stay on as a housekeeper for the future earl, but I was deemed too weak and female to manage such a task.”

“Ah.” Mrs. Frogerton nodded. “Now I understand your annoyance.”

“Mrs. Scutton accused me of being bitter.”

“And are you?”

Caroline met her employer’s inquiring gaze. “I’m far too angry to be bitter.”

“I think you have a perfect right to be angry, my dear. I’ve always said that those who had a duty toward you and Susan let you down appallingly.

My concern for you at present is that your resentment will color your relationship with the man who could soon be declared the head of the Morton family. ”

“I can assure you that if Mr. Scutton succeeds in his desire to secure the title, I will wish him all the best. I just said as much to Mrs. Scutton.”

“I’m not sure it will be that easy to disentangle yourself from the Morton family, lass,” Mrs. Frogerton said gently. “Mr. Scutton strikes me as the kind of gentleman who would uphold his family obligations.”

“I cannot deny he seems to be an honorable man, but we both know his mother will run his life, and she won’t prevent me from absenting myself.”

Mrs. Frogerton opened her mouth and then appeared to reconsider her words. She smiled at Caroline. “Would you go and ask Cook for the revised dinner menu? She said she had some difficulty locating a good piece of lamb and might try something else instead.”

Mr. Scutton set down his knife and smiled at Mrs. Frogerton through the candlelight. “You have been most kind to us, ma’am. I hope we will be able to move into Morton House within the next week or so and leave you in peace.”

“You have been very amiable guests, sir.” Mrs. Frogerton, who was wearing her rubies to match the crimson of her evening gown, smiled back. “Caroline and I will miss you.”

Caroline didn’t miss the swift glance Mr. Scutton gave her as he sipped his wine. Did he expect her to offer to accompany him? The idea was as ludicrous as the notion that his mother would allow it.

“I do hope you will call on us, Mrs. Frogerton,” Mrs. Scutton said graciously.

“Of course,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “I’m sure Caroline will enjoy visiting her old home, although it’s a shame she had to leave it in the first place.”

“I agree,” Mr. Scutton said. “I mean no disrespect, Lady Caroline, but your father’s mismanagement did neither you nor his successors any favors.

According to Coutts, if I am the next earl, I’ll have to sell everything that isn’t entailed simply to maintain the rest.” He shrugged.

“Not that I have any aversion to such a notion. The maintenance of such great estates and properties is hardly viable in these modern times.”

Caroline set down her fork. “I do hope you consider the implications of your choices very seriously, Mr. Scutton. There are many families who have been employed by the earldom for centuries, and—”

“My dear Caroline, that is hardly any of your concern now, is it?” Mrs. Scutton said. “Thomas will know what is best.” She smiled fondly at her son.

“I am merely saying that selling off the estate isn’t as straightforward a task as Mr. Scutton might think,” Caroline continued, her gaze on Mrs. Scutton. “He should consult with those who can advise him best before making any sudden decisions.”

“I think Caroline is right, Mama.” Mary looked at her mother. “Thomas would do well to consult with her before he makes things worse. Caroline knows far more about the estate than any of us.”

Mrs. Scutton’s smile thinned. “And I’d respectfully suggest that you know less than anyone at this table, miss, and might consider keeping your thoughts to yourself.”

“I know more than you might think, Mother.” Mary glared at her mother. “Mayhap you should remember that.”

“This is hardly an edifying conversation for Mrs. Frogerton’s dinner table, Mary. I suggest you hold your tongue.”

“About what? That you made me tell everyone I’m a widow because you’re ashamed of me?”

Caroline tried not to look at her employer.

“Mary …” Mr. Scutton murmured.

Mary turned on her brother. “And you can hush, because you went along with it!”

Mrs. Frogerton cleared her throat. “Are we to understand that Mr. Brigham is alive and well?”

“He is.” Mary raised her chin. “Isn’t he, Mother?”

Mrs. Scutton sighed. “I thought it would be easier if no one knew your shame, dear. But if you are determined to share with our hostess, then so be it.” She turned to Mrs. Frogerton. “Mary’s husband is currently being held in a debtors’ prison.”

“For debts he incurred due to your bad advice!” Mary said.

“He didn’t need my help to make bad investments, dear. That was his own decision.”

“That’s a lie!” Mary slammed her hand down on the table, making the crystal rattle. “He told me exactly what happened.”

“Well, Albert would blame anyone except himself, wouldn’t he?” Mrs. Scutton said. “He’s never been capable of taking responsibility for anything.”

“How dare you—”

“Please.” Mr. Scutton spoke over both of them. “I can only apologize for the behavior of my sister, Mrs. Frogerton. She is not herself. The stress of her husband’s imprisonment has shattered her nerves.”

He reached across the table and took Mary’s hand. “Please don’t worry, love. I was going to tell you later in private, but I’ve already secured Albert’s release.”

Mary’s gasp was almost overshadowed by Mrs. Scutton’s.

“You’ve done that for me?” She gripped her brother’s hand, her eyes filling with tears. “Thank you. I cannot express how grateful I am to you.”

“It is of no matter.” Mr. Scutton patted her hand and turned to his mother. She didn’t look quite as thrilled by the news. “I felt that with my future prospects looking so bright, I could afford to do this to ensure my sister’s happiness.”

Mrs. Scutton looked at her son. “Mr. Brigham is not to come here. The last time I saw him, he threatened to kill me.”

“He did not,” Mary said. “You are simply being melodramatic because he has the audacity to stand up to you.”

“He wanted me to pay his debts, and when I refused, he told me he would pay me back in another way. How more explicit did he need to be for you to realize he isn’t a good man?” Mrs. Scutton asked.

“Mother …” Mr. Scutton intervened again. “This is hardly the place to be discussing intimate family business. We are embarrassing our hostess.”

As Caroline knew Mrs. Frogerton’s intense interest in gossip, she doubted that but appreciated Mr. Scutton for attempting to put an end to the mortifying conversation.

She might not like Mrs. Scutton, but her daughter was putting her in a horrible position.

There had been a look of genuine fear on Mrs. Scutton’s face when she’d found out her son-in-law was to be released from prison.

Mary rose to her feet and threw her napkin onto the floor. “You should be very careful what you say to me, Mama, because I’m going to tell Albert everything .” She glared at her mother. “I’m going to my room, and when my husband does come here, I’ll welcome him with open arms!”

Mrs. Scutton bit her lip as the door slammed behind her daughter.

“My poor girl. She has been so grievously deceived.” She dabbed at her eyes with her black-edged handkerchief.

“I hope Mr. Brigham takes his freedom, runs away with it, and doesn’t bother Mary again.

Did you tell him about your good fortune, Thomas? ”

“Of course not,” Mr. Scutton said. “I’m not stupid.”

“One has to wonder whether Mary has performed that duty for you.” His mother stood up and nodded to Mrs. Frogerton. “Please excuse me. I must try to reason with Mary.”

“Of course,” Mrs. Frogerton said. “Having a daughter myself, I can only sympathize.”

“Thank you.” Mrs. Scutton smiled. “She is a good girl at heart.” She looked at her son. “Perhaps you might accompany me? She listens to you.”

“Of course, Mother.” Mr. Scutton offered her his arm. “Good night, Mrs. Frogerton, Lady Caroline.”

Mrs. Frogerton barely waited before the door closed before she turned to Caroline.

“Well! I can’t say I anticipated any of that.”

“It is somewhat surprising,” Caroline agreed.

“But I can also understand why they tried to cover it up at this particular juncture,” Mrs. Frogerton continued. “None of it reflects well on the family. Let’s hope that Mrs. Scutton is correct and that Mr. Brigham will stay far away from Mary.”

Caroline thought about the note Mary had received and met her employer’s gaze. “Unfortunately, I don’t think he’ll be leaving London any time soon, ma’am. In fact, I suspect he knows where Mary is and has already attempted to contact her.”