Page 39 of Murder at Donwell Abbey

Mrs. Hodges emphatically shook her head. “Prudence would no more steal a decanter of sherry than she would fall in love with William Cox.”

“Prudence’s family feels the same,” Emma said. “They insisted she would never do anything to jeopardize her position at Donwell.”

“That’s true, Mrs. Knightley.” The housekeeper directed a glare at Harry. “And you are not to spread that tale around. It’s sheer nonsense, and I don’t believe it for a minute.”

Harry’s shoulders went up around his ears. “Prudencewassweet on someone, though. I’d bet half a bob on that.”

Emma expected the housekeeper to refute that statement, too. Instead, she clamped her lips shut and looked as uncomfortable as Harry had a few minutes ago. Emma couldn’t help but recall that Mr. Parr had also suspected his daughter might be in love with someone.

“Mrs. Hodges, doyouthink Prudence had a beau?” she asked.

The housekeeper made a helpless gesture. “I cannot be sure. The only thing Icanbe sure about is that Prudence denied having a sweetheart.”

Emma lifted her eyebrows. “You asked her directly?”

“I did, ma’am.”

“May I ask why?”

“Starting about a month ago she was … well, not her usual self. She seemed distracted. I asked about a beau more in jest than anything else, but she blushed and looked mighty unhappy about the question. I’ll admit that gave me a worry. I’m responsible for the girls in the house, ma’am. I don’t want them getting themselves into trouble or being taken advantage of.”

“The servants are fortunate to have you looking after them, Mrs. Hodges.”

Harry muttered something inaudible.

“Do you have something to say?” Mrs. Hodges tartly asked him.

Emma hastily intervened. “Prudence denied have a sweetheart, you said.”

The housekeeper nodded.

Another thought occurred. Harry certainly wasn’t the sharpest pin in the box, but he was a big, strapping fellow who most girls would consider attractive.

“Harry, what about you?” Emma asked. “Do you think Prudence had feelings for you?”

He stared for several long moments, and then burst into a loud guffaw.

Mrs. Hodges bristled. “You sound like a bellowing ox, Harry. Control yourself.”

The footman choked as he tried to stifle his laughter. “S … sorry, Mrs. Knightley. But Prudence would never look at a fellow like me. Too clever for me, she was.”

At least he knew his limitations. “I assume, then, that you didn’t harbor any feelings for her?”

“I have a girl back in Hampstead. We’ve been sweethearts since we was kids.” He perked up. “Mr. Hodges said you’ll be hiring more staff, so mayhap you’ll have a word with Mr. Knightley. Daisy would be ever so thrilled to work at Donwell Abbey.”

Mrs. Hodges jumped in. “Is there anything else we can help you with, ma’am?”

“I suppose none of the other servants would have any idea about how the decanter got up to Prudence’s room?” Emma asked.

“They do not.”

That brought Emma right back to William Cox. Despite Harry’s theory, it struck her as much more likely that Williamhadbeen forward with Prudence, and had pursued her up to her room—with the decanter.

When Mrs. Hodges glanced at the watch pinned to her waist, Emma realized that the morning was getting on.

She stood. “I won’t keep you any longer, Mrs. Hodges. Perhaps we can speak tomorrow about the necessary changes—”

She stopped when the door to the stable yard opened and William Larkins strode into the kitchen, bringing in a blast of cold air. If he was surprised to see her, he didn’t show it.