Page 40 of Murder in Highbury

Father had moved down the row to speak to Miss Bates, who stood and clutched at his hands, words tumbling from her lips. Emma exchanged a worried glance with Mrs. Weston before joining them.

“Oh, Mrs. Knightley,” Miss Bates exclaimed. “I cannot tell you how much it heartens me that dear Mr. Woodhouse has ventured from Hartfield to support me today. But such a shocking thing, to have his peace all cut up.” She gazed earnestly at Emma’s father. “I cannot think this can be good for your health, sir. I truly think you should return home.”

“For you to suffer through this alone was a prospect I could not bear,” he replied. “My health cannot be thought of, not at a time like this.”

Emma felt her jaw sag open like an old dresser drawer. There was hardly a moment in her father’s life that his health—or the health of his loved ones—failed to be his primary concern. That he would so boldly throw caution to the winds was now beyond astonishing.

Miss Bates pressed his hands. “I know I’m terribly selfish, Mr. Woodhouse, but your presence will be of such a great comfort to me, especially when I must—” She broke off, her mild blue eyes filling with tears.

“Miss Bates, perhaps you should sit down,” Emma said, very aware of the interest they were attracting.

“Oh, you are quite right,” Miss Bates replied with a weak smile. “To keep your father standing is very shocking of me. Now, where should Mr. Woodhouse sit, Mrs. Knightley? You would know best how to arrange things.”

“My father can sit right here beside you, Miss Bates, and perhaps Harriet can sit on your other side. If you need anything, such as a glass of lemonade or a cup of tea, I’m sure Harriet will be happy to fetch it for you.”

“Of course,” said Harriet. “And Robert should be along at any moment. He’s very good at fetching things. He would be here already, but he was detained because one of our other heifers calved this morning. I told Robert that Elsie’s timing was very inconvenient, but he said heifers don’t give a fig for inquests, or anything else but their dinner.”

Miss Bates seemed much struck by that comment. “Very true, Mrs. Martin. Dear me, a new calf just this morning. Mr. Martin must be very pleased.”

“He is, and she is the sweetest little calf, Miss Bates. We are all quite excited and wondering what to name her.”

While Miss Bates was properly diverted by Harriet’s cheerful prattle, Emma settled her father into his seat.

“Would you like to take off your coat or hat, dearest? Simon can hold them for you, if you like. He’ll stand just off to the side there.”

Emma’s father regarded her with horror. “To remove my coat would be madness in this environment. In fact, please have Simon help me with the shawl. I can drape it over my knees. I feel sure there is a draft on the floor, Emma. I wish we had thought to bring another shawl for you.”

“I’m perfectly fine, Father.”

While Simon helped her father with his shawl, Emma took the seat next to Mrs. Weston.

“I am greatly surprised that Mr. Woodhouse came with you,” her friend said. “I would not have thought such a thing possible.”

“He insisted. I told him there would likely be people here with head colds, but even that didn’t frighten him off.”

Mrs. Weston frowned. “I’ve never known him to exert himself in such a fashion. What did Mr. Knightley have to say about it?”

Emma pulled a face. “He doesn’t know yet, since he left the house early. But he won’t be pleased. Dr. Hughes intended to summon Father to sit on the jury, but George convinced him that his health wouldn’t allow for it. I cannot wait to see the good doctor’s expression when he sees Father sitting in the front row.”

“It’s all so dreadful. If Mr. Weston wasn’t sitting on the jury, I’m sure I would not have come at all.”

“Speaking of the jury, I thought they would have returned by now. How long can it take to look at the crime scene?”

“I believe they have gone to view the body, as well.”

Emma blinked in surprise. “Truly? I thought Mr. Elton was adamantly opposed to that.”

It was a normal, if rather gruesome, procedure for a coroner’s jury to view the body of the victim. According to George, however, Mr. Elton had raised a vociferous objection, deeming it a violation of his wife’s dignity.

Mrs. Weston leaned in a bit closer. “Dr. Hughes was apparently equally adamant that the jury be allowed to see her.”

“I find myself much in agreement with Mr. Elton,” Emma replied.

When Anne Cox leaned forward and rested a hand on the back of Mrs. Weston’s chair, Emma jumped. She’d forgotten the dratted girl was behind her.

“It’s dreadfully horrible, isn’t it?” Anne said with an exaggerated shudder. “With Mrs. Elton just lying there in her coffin, her skull all bashed in. Don’t you think—”

“I think you should refrain from tasteless speculation,” Emma interrupted.