Page 46 of Murder in Highbury

Emma’s gaze flickered to George. Clearly knowing what she was thinking, he narrowed his gaze in warning.

She adopted a solemn expression. “No, Dr. Hughes. After I sent Mrs. Martin to fetch you, I saw nothing outside of the ordinary.”

“To be clear, you went back inside the church to keep watch over the scene?”

“Yes. I was aware that the church should remain undisturbed until you and my husband could arrive. I was also concerned for Mr. Elton. I did not wish him to enter unprepared for such a terrible scene.”

Seated in front of her, Mr. Elton rested a soulful hand on his chest. “Such kindness,” he said in a tremulous voice. “Even in such a moment, that Mrs. Knightley should think of my feelings.”

Dr. Hughes sighed. “I would ask that the other witnesses refrain from commenting.”

“Of course, my dear sir,” the vicar replied. “Do forgive me.”

“Thank you. Now, Mrs. Knightley, why did you choose to go back into the church? You promised Mrs. Martin that you would remain outside, and yet you did not.”

The doctor’s tone suggested there was something suspicious aboutherbehavior, which was most annoying of him.

“It was a very warm day, and I grew hot outside.”

“I imagine you were worried about your complexion in all that sun,” he said in a condescending tone.

“I was wearing a bonnet,” she dryly replied.

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

“Order, please,” the doctor huffed. “Mrs. Knightley, what did you do next?”

“I thought to have a look around, to see if anythingwasout of place.”

“And what were the results of your . . . investigations?”

“It occurred to me that perhaps a thief had been in the church.”

“And that Mrs. Elton had surprised the thief in the middle of his criminal act?”

“Yes.”

The doctor addressed the jury. “As you will hear from later testimony, this is a very likely scenario. Do continue, Mrs. Knightley.”

“At first glance, I failed to see anything out of place. But I feared that a thief might have broken into the cupboards in the vestry—to go after the silver.”

“So you went into the vestry to look.”

She hesitated. “Not immediately.”

“And why was that?”

“Because I heard footsteps, and then the sound of the vestry door closing.”

Dr. Hughes held up a finger. “In fact, you heard Miss Bates fleeing the church.”

“As it so happened, I heard Miss Batesleavingthe vestry. Although, of course, I didn’t realize it was her at the time.”

“What did you do next?

“After a few moments, I went into the vestry.”

He raised incredulous eyebrows. “But it had already occurred to you that a murderer might have entered the church. Did that fact not give you pause or a sensible degree of caution?”