Page 25 of Murder in Highbury

Miss Bates flapped an agitated hand. “I don’t know. But to discover me with Mrs. Elton like that . . . all alone and in such a state . . . someone might misconstrue . . .”

Emma forced herself to wait several seconds to see if she would continue. “Misconstrue what, Miss Bates?”

“Nothing, nothing at all. I’m just being foolish.”

When Mrs. Bates gave a little snort, as if waking up, her daughter shot a fearful glance in her direction.

“Mother cannot know,” she whispered. “Her heart. It’s not strong.”

There would be no way to avoid her mother finding out, since Miss Bates would be called to testify at the inquest. But mentioning that fact now would no doubt pitch her into full-blown hysterics.

Emma patted her knee. “You’re not to worry about that. Just tell me what you saw when you entered the church.”

Miss Bates drew in a trembling breath. “Well, at first, I saw nothing. But I was in the back, waiting, you know. So, I did not yet see the . . . Mrs. Elton.”

“What were you waiting for?”

Miss Bates briefly rolled her lips inward, as if reluctant to answer. “I was to meet Mrs. Elton at two o’clock.”

Well, that is not good.

Emma had to stifle any signs of dismay at such an unfortunate admission. God only knew what Dr. Hughes would make of it, though.

“And may I ask why you were meeting Mrs. Elton in the church instead of at your own apartments or the vicarage?”

Miss Bates lifted a trembling hand to her cheek. “Dear me, I can hardly remember. I swear it has all gone clean out of my head. But it was such a shock. Seeing her like that . . . so . . .”

“Yes, it was horrible, and it makes perfect sense that you would forget at the time. But surely you can recall now.”

She looked everywhere but at Emma. “Now that I think about it, I believe it was to discuss new altar linens. Yes, indeed that was it. Because the old ones are terribly worn, you know. The last time Jane and Frank visited Highbury, Jane was quite shocked by the state of them. She offered to buy an entire new set for the church.” She tried to smile. “So like Jane, isn’t it? Only she would think to replace all the altar linens.”

The altar linens were decidedlynotworn, since Emma and her father had paid for a new set on Mr. Elton’s arrival at the parish two years ago. Why would Miss Bates tell such a patently obvious lie?

“So you were waiting in the back of the church for Mrs. Elton. When did you finally go up to the chancel?”

“When I realized she was late. I like to go up to the front of the church and sit for a spell. It reminds me of the days when my father was vicar. But that’s, that’s when . . .”

“That’s when you saw her.” Emma recalled the scene to mind. “Miss Bates, did you touch the body?”

“Yes, but only because I didn’t think she was dead, or else I would never have done such a thing,” she blurted out. “I . . . I know I shouldn’t have, but—”

Emma put out a reassuring hand. “It’s fine. I did the same.”

“I started to untie her bonnet,” Miss Bates said in a wretched voice. “To give her some air. But that’s when I saw the blood, and . . .” She covered her mouth.

“Yes, it was beyond horrific.” Emma hesitated for a second. “Miss Bates, did you touch her collar or bodice?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Perhaps to give her some air?”

Miss Bates shook her head. “After I saw all the blood, I was too frightened to go near her again.”

“Perfectly understandable. Did you notice if Mrs. Elton was wearing a necklace, by any chance?”

“I don’t think she was. But it was all such a blur, especially after I realized she was dead. I cannot truly be sure what I saw.”

“So, you don’t recall if her collar was askew in any way or if the buttons at her throat were undone?” Emma didn’t dare ask her if she’d noticed bruising on Mrs. Elton’s throat.