Page 43 of Murder at Donwell Abbey

Miss Bates tilted her head, looking like an inquisitive sparrow. “What sort of secrets? And what would they have to do with—” She twirled a hand. “You know.”

“I’m not sure yet.”

Mrs. Weston let out an exasperated sigh. “Miss Parr’s death was simply an unfortunate accident. Dr. Hughes ruled it so, did he not?”

“Yes, but there was initially some question about that.”

“Are you referring to Constable Sharpe’s ridiculous theory that Miss Parr killed herself?” Mrs. Weston dryly asked.

Miss Bates clapped her hands to her cheeks. “Never say so! I cannot believe such a dreadful thing of that sweet girl.”

“She did no such thing, I assure you.” Emma frowned at her governess. “How did you hear about that nonsense?”

“As I understand it, there were servants in the room when this discussion occurred,” her friend replied.

“Mrs. Hodges would never—” Emma broke off with an exasperated sigh. “Harry.”

She was beginning to grasp what a nuisance the fellow could be. Still, she felt sure that Harry wasn’t engaging in malicious gossip for the sake of it. He was merely a dolt.

“I’ll have to speak with him,” she added. “Spreading that sort of tale will not do.”

“Perhaps it’s best if the entire subject is best avoided in the future,” said Mrs. Weston, giving herthelook.

Emma had always called itthe governess gaze, and it had generally been employed when the former Miss Taylor thought Emma was sticking her nose where it didn’t belong.

“But Mrs. Knightley said there were questions,” Miss Bates said in a hesitant tone. “And if Mrs. Knightley is concerned, then surely we should all be concerned.”

“I think Mrs. Knightley should discuss these questions with Mr. Knightley,” Mrs. Weston responded.

Emma rolled her eyes. “Mrs. Knightley already has.”

“And?”

“Let’s just say new evidence has come to light.”

“My dear—”

Emma put up her hands. “Just hear me out.”

“But why bring this to me?” Mrs. Weston glanced at Miss Bates. “To us?”

“Because you know most everyone, and you know everything that goes on in Highbury.”

She couldn’t help eyeing Miss Bates, though. Mrs. Weston’s discretion was assured, but her future stepmother? Not so much.

“It’s quite a delicate situation,” Emma added. “Someone’s reputation might be at stake.”

Miss Bates shook her head. “How could Miss Parr’s reputation be damaged any more than it already has been?”

“It’s not Prudence I’m speaking of.”

The spinster’s eyes went wide. “You’re speaking of someone who’s not dead! A not-dead person’s reputation.”

Emma had to repress an impulse to laugh. “That’s one way to put it. And since this person is … not dead, we must be careful not to besmirch his … their reputation if we … I arrive at the wrong conclusion.”

Good Lord. She was beginning to sound like Miss Bates.

“Then, Emma, are you perfectly sure you wish to discuss this now?” Mrs. Weston cast a meaningful glance at Miss Bates.