Page 9 of Miss Morton and the Missing Heir (A Miss Morton Mystery #4)

“In disarray, Lady Caroline.” He sighed. “I sometimes fear they’re relying on me to fix everything, and I can’t. All I can do is try to support Richard until he comes to his senses, but so far there is no sign of that happening.”

“It’s terribly unfair when you also have a job to do,” Caroline said.

“My superiors have been very patient with me, but I fear it won’t last forever.” He grimaced. “My worst nightmare is that I’m forced to leave my profession and become my brother’s keeper again.”

Mrs. Frogerton appeared at Caroline’s elbow. “I’m sorry to interrupt, dear, but do you think Mrs. Brigham will be coming down to dinner?”

“I’ll go upstairs and check, ma’am.”

Caroline left the drawing room and went up to Mrs. Brigham’s room.

She knocked on the door and went in to find Mary fully dressed and sitting at her dressing table, powdering her face and surrounded by the strong smell of the lily perfume she favored.

She jumped when she saw Caroline in the mirror and pressed her hand to her bosom.

“You startled me. I thought you were my mother.”

“Good evening, Mary. Are you feeling better?” Caroline asked. “Mrs. Frogerton was wondering whether you intend to dine with us.”

Mary tossed her head. “I have no intention of sharing a table with my mother ever again.”

“Ah, I thought you’d dressed for dinner, but I will make your excuses to your hostess.” Caroline turned to the door.

“My mother would much prefer me to stay up here anyway. She’s terrified I’ll expose her underhand dealings to destroy my marriage and make her and Thomas look bad.”

“I’m sure your mother wishes only the best for you,” Caroline said.

Mary snorted. “Hardly. All she cares about is Thomas and this bloody earldom. She insisted I had to accompany them here to show a united front when I wanted to stay home and wait for my husband to be released from gaol.” Mary set her hairbrush down with a thump.

“My Albert is a good man. He might be somewhat … high-spirited and take risks she doesn’t approve of, but he always pays his debts in the end.

She just doesn’t want me to be with him. ”

Having experienced Mr. Brigham’s “high spirits,” Caroline could quite understand Mrs. Scutton’s reluctance to believe her son-in-law had the gravity to make a satisfactory husband, but it wasn’t her place to mention it to Mary.

Mary smiled. “She’d better watch it, because if she keeps this up, I’m going straight to that solicitor, and I’ll tell him everything.”

“Everything about what?” Caroline couldn’t prevent herself asking.

“Never you mind,” Mary said. “But it would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons and wipe that satisfied smirk from Mother’s face.

” Mary rose to her feet, stretched, and yawned loudly.

“I think I’ll take myself back to bed. Tell my mother not to disturb me, and ask the maid to bring me up something nice to eat from the dinner party. ”

“As you wish.” Caroline left and went down to the drawing room to rejoin Mrs. Frogerton and give her the news.

“So, Mrs. Brigham is still fighting with her mother.” Mrs. Frogerton glanced over at Mrs. Scutton, who was talking to her son on the other side of the room.

“At least those two seem to have patched things up.” She looked at Inspector Ross.

“Caroline’s family have proved to be rather exciting guests. ”

“They will soon be departing, as Coutts Bank has given Mr. Scutton the means to reopen Morton House,” Caroline said.

“Have they now?” The inspector raised his eyebrows. “That is somewhat unprecedented.”

Mrs. Scutton approached them, her gaze on Inspector Ross. “I don’t believe we are acquainted, sir.”

Mrs. Frogerton smiled at her. “This is Inspector Ross of the Metropolitan Police, Mrs. Scutton. He has been of great use to us in the past.”

“Good evening, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You don’t sound like any policeman I’ve ever met,” Mrs. Scutton said.

“That’s because his father is a marquess.” Mrs. Frogerton winked at the inspector.

“But he’s not a bad sort, despite that.” A new voice intruded on the conversation, and Caroline turned to see Dr. Harris behind her. “Evening all, and thank you for the dinner invitation, Mrs. Frogerton. It’s the only time I get to eat properly.”

“Dr. Harris,” Caroline said. “I didn’t realize you were coming.”

Dr. Harris gazed down at her. “I can assure you that Mrs. Frogerton invited me.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” Caroline said. “It was just a surprise.”

“I met your Mr. Scutton in the morgue,” Dr. Harris said. “He tried to ignore my impudence in daring to speak to him, but I persevered.”

“He did mention he’d seen you, and that you claimed to be acquainted with Mrs. Frogerton.” Caroline turned to Mrs. Scutton. “May I introduce you to Dr. Harris, ma’am?”

Mrs. Scutton regarded Dr. Harris with less than enthusiasm. “You and Mrs. Frogerton certainly have a wide variety of ‘friends,’ Lady Caroline.”

Caroline just smiled. Jenkins appeared to tell them that dinner was ready. Mrs. Frogerton took Inspector Ross’s arm, and Dr. Harris offered his to a reluctant Mrs. Scutton, leaving Caroline with Mr. Scutton.

He caught her elbow as she turned to follow the others. “May I have a moment of your time?”

Caroline looked up at him inquiringly.

“I am aware that Mrs. Frogerton is a northerner and that perhaps her social circles are eccentric, but I cannot be comfortable with you being exposed to such gentlemen in her house.”

“I beg your pardon?”

He set his jaw. “I am concerned for your welfare, Caroline.”

“There is no need, sir.” Caroline attempted to shake off his hand, but he gripped harder.

“Mrs. Frogerton has always had a kind heart and regularly opens her home to a variety of people she considers friends.” She paused and made sure to meet his gaze.

“In truth, you should be grateful for that, seeing as she invited your entire family to stay.”

His mouth thinned. “We will speak of this again when we are established in Morton House.”

“We will not, sir.” Caroline pulled out of his grasp. “The only person who currently has authority over my actions is my employer—a woman who has been nothing but kind to you. Yet you insult her with your baseless accusations as to the suitability of her friends.”

“I meant no such thing. I am merely looking out for your best interests.”

Caroline walked toward the door and headed down the stairs to the dining room where everyone was already seated. Inspector Ross looked up as she came in and raised an eyebrow. She slightly shook her head and took her place beside Dr. Harris at the table.

“What do you make of Mr. Scutton, Miss Morton?” Dr. Harris asked quietly.

They’d finished the first course and were waiting for the soup dishes to be removed.

“I have no opinion to share about him, Dr. Harris.”

“That’s not like you.” Dr. Harris drank his wine. “Have you heard any more from Susan?”

“No.”

He set his hand over hers and squeezed her fingers. “I’m sorry. That must be hard for you.”

She managed to nod but couldn’t find the words to make him think everything was fine when it wasn’t. She noticed Mrs. Scutton was looking at them and gently moved her hand away. The last thing she needed was another lecture about her morals or lack of them from the Scutton family.

“The worst thing is not knowing her address,” Caroline confided. “I suspect Mabel doesn’t want me to have it in case I attempt to lure Susan back home.”

“I could ask my sister to write to Susan, or she could get one of Susan’s old friends from school to contact her,” Dr. Harris offered. “She might respond if she doesn’t think it’s you, and then at least you would have her address.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“Good.” Dr. Harris nodded and sat back so that the footman could put his plate in front of him. “Oh, it’s lamb. My favorite.”

Mr. Scutton barely spoke throughout the entire meal, his indignation with Caroline evident in the tightness of his face and his refusal to converse with her.

In truth, Caroline was relieved when Mrs. Frogerton invited the ladies to join her in the drawing room so that the gentlemen could enjoy their port at the table.

When they reached the upstairs landing, Mrs. Scutton turned to Mrs. Frogerton. “If you will excuse me for a moment, I’ll go and speak to Mary. Perhaps I can persuade her to join us for a cup of tea.”

“Of course.” Mrs. Frogerton nodded and walked into the drawing room with Caroline. “I do hope Mary stops sulking. Her refusal to come downstairs means a lot of extra work for the staff.”

“From what little I’ve observed, ma’am, she seems quite stubborn,” Caroline said. “A trait she shares with her brother.”

“What did you say to upset him before dinner, lass?”

“He tried to tell me what kind of people you should be allowed to have in your own house, ma’am.”

“Oh, he didn’t approve of Dr. Harris?”

“He didn’t like Inspector Ross, either. He suggested he should’ve used the servants’ entrance and stayed in the kitchen where he belonged.”

“Oh, dear.” Mrs. Frogerton tutted sympathetically. “I must confess that I will be glad when they are gone.”

Caroline looked over at her. “You could always ask them to leave now, ma’am.”

Mrs. Frogerton smiled. “I think I can deal with them for a few more days, my dear. I’m from hardy stock.”

Just as the door opened to admit the butler with the tea tray, a horrendous scream echoed down the stairway. Another quickly followed.

“Good Lord!” Mrs. Frogerton pressed her hand to her chest. “What on earth is going on?”

Caroline was already moving past the butler and going up the stairs. As she ran along the corridor, her gaze fastened on the open doorway to Mary’s bedchamber. Mrs. Scutton lay half outside the door, one arm outstretched and bloodied.

She fixed a terrified gaze on Caroline. “Help me, please! My daughter!”

Caroline started toward her when Dr. Harris rushed past. “It’s all right, Miss Morton. I’ll attend to this.”