Page 99 of Murder at Donwell Abbey

“I think he’s in a state of shock, as well as feeling a measure of guilt.”

She frowned. “What can he possibly have to feel guilty about?”

“I believe it stems from feeling that he failed to prevent Prudence’s death in the first place. He’s always taken on a great sense of responsibility toward all who reside at Donwell. And in Prudence’s case …”

Emma finished his thought. “He was in love with her.”

“Correct, which unfortunately does not help his case. It’s clear to me that Constable Sharpe is already casting Larkins as the spurned lover, whose anger and disappointment took a violent turn.”

“Anyone who knows Larkins can see that’s a ridiculous conclusion. And according to Mrs. Hodges, Prudence didn’t even know about his feelings for her.” She let out a snort of disgust. “Constable Sharpe is a menace. First, he insists that Prudence jumped out the window, and now he’s trying to cast Larkins in the role of the spurned lover. He changes theories as easily as one changes a waistcoat.”

“Unfortunately, the bloodstained mobcap does indeed suggest violence was committed against her. And then there is the presence of the ribbon. One might conclude that the murderer kept it as a keepsake.”

Emma couldn’t help feeling queasy. Yes, she’d had early suspicions that foul play might have been involved in the poor girl’s death, but nothing so close to home or as dramatic as this.

A thought struck her. “How did the constable come to know about his feelings for Prudence? It wasn’t common knowledge.”

“Mrs. Hodges and Harry were a bit too vociferous in their claims, perhaps, that Larkins would never hurt Prudence.”

She winced. “Oh dear.”

Sharpe would react to that bit of information like a hound bolting after a fox.

“Did Larkins say anything at all before he was taken away?” she asked.

“He did tell Mrs. Hodges that he didn’t do it. Not that Sharpe gave him more than a moment to put on his coat and hat before hustling him into the carriage.”

“The poor man. I assume you’re going to visit him tomorrow?”

“Yes. I’ve already asked Mrs. Hodges to pack some essentials, as well as food.”

Prisoners—or their families—had to provide for their own needs. Thankfully, she and George could take care of making Larkins’s stay in prison at least marginally comfortable.

They both fell silent, staring into the fire and lost in their own dark thoughts. Absently, Emma picked up her glass only to discover it was empty.

George cocked an eyebrow at her. “Would you like another?”

“Best not until I’ve had something to eat. I should bestir myself and see what’s afoot in the kitchen, but I can’t bring myself to face Mrs. Hodges yet.”

George took her hand and cupped it on top of his thigh. “There’s no rush. We all need time to absorb the events of the day.”

“I keep trying to make sense of it, and I simply cannot.” She held up her other hand. “Just for the sake of argument—and I hate to even think it, much less voice it—let’s say that Larkinsdidkill Prudence. Why would he keep those incriminating items? Such an intelligent man would get rid of them immediately, and certainly never take them back to his home.”

“I agree. Larkins is the sanest, most even-tempered fellow I’ve ever met. And when he does express irritation, it’s invariably something to do with Donwell rather than a personal matter.”

Emma hesitated for a few seconds. “Until Prudence came along. He’s changed because of her, especially since her death. I’ve never seen him so … unlike himself.”

He frowned. “Emma, are you suggesting that he might be guilty after all?”

She dodged the question. “Has it been determined exactly where Larkins was at the time of Prudence’s death? All the other servants have been accounted for, and we know now that William Cox had nothing to do with it.”

“I never thought Cox had anything to do with it,” he replied. “But to answer your question, not really. Larkins stopped at the Crown for his supper, then walked back to his cottage to await the end of the party. Unfortunately, there’s no way to corroborate his claims that he was actually at his cottage the entire time.”

“That’s not good, George.”

“I’m aware.”

She hesitated. “Again, just for the sake of argument, what if Larkinsdiddeclare his feelings to Prudence that night? And suppose Prudence rejected him, and … and then they fell into an argument. People can grow heated or even overwrought when it comes to matters of the heart, and it can prompt them to act in ways totally out of character.”