Page 89 of Murder in Highbury

“Of course not.” The headmistress suddenly scowled. “Really, Mrs. Knightley, Constable Sharpe is quite a dreadful man to treat our dear Miss Bates so cruelly.”

“I cannot disagree,” Emma dryly replied. “Fortunately, Dr. Hughes does not support the charge.”

She wasn’t convinced, however, that the odious Mr. Sharpe wouldn’t make a concerted effort to sway the coroner to his way of thinking.

“Everyone is upset about Miss Bates,” said Harriet. “But why have you been in such a state?”

Mrs. Goddard grimaced. “I have been concerned not just for Miss Bates but also . . . for myself.”

Emma put down her teacup. “Ma’am, there is no delicate way to ask this, so I will be direct. Did Mrs. Elton lend you money?”

The headmistress blinked. “No, she did not. Nor did I ever ask her for money.”

Emma frowned. “Are you aware that Mrs. Elton loaned Miss Bates a considerable sum?”

“Yes, although I cannot imagine why she would agree to such a thing.”

That was a discussion for another time.

“If Mrs. Elton didn’t lend you money, then why are you concerned for yourself?”

“She didn’t lend me money, Mrs. Knightley. Shegaveme money—or, rather, she made a donation to the school. As did her sister, although, of course, that money came through Mrs. Elton. I’ve never met Mrs. Suckling.”

Emma was now thoroughly confused. “I don’t understand.”

“I think I do,” Harriet said. “They wished to become patronesses of the school, didn’t they? I overheard Mrs. Elton talking about it a few months ago at Mrs. Cole’s dinner party.”

Mrs. Goddard nodded. “Exactly so. Both Mrs. Elton and her sister were interested in becoming more charitably engaged, and they felt my school was a worthy venture in that respect.”

Emma couldn’t help feeling slightly annoyed, which was admittedly an irrational response.

“I didn’t realize you were looking for patrons. Mr. Knightley and I would have been happy to contribute, as would my father.”

Mrs. Goddard shook her head. “You have all been so generous over the years that I could never ask you to do more than you already have. And, truly, all our basic needs are met by the school fees.”

“But you did wish to make improvements,” Harriet doggedly said. “Some new furniture and also repairs to the roof.”

Emma glanced at the new curtains. “Did Mrs. Elton hear you speak of these improvements?”

Mrs. Goddard’s cheeks flushed pink. “I believe I might have mentioned it to her.”

She’d obviously done more than mention it. And given Mrs. Elton’s prideful nature, she would have enjoyed playing the role of noble patroness.

“But, then, why the argument?”

Mrs. Goddard shifted in her seat. “I assure you, it was one-sided.”

“Undoubtedly. I have never heard you raise your voice to anyone.”

“That is very true,” Harriet stoutly added.

“Thank you,” Mrs. Goddard said quietly.

“I will also hazard a guess that Mrs. Elton wished you to return the donation,” said Emma.

Mrs. Goddard nodded. “She came to call a few days before her murder. She demanded I return the money, both her and her sister’s donations. I told her, of course, that I could not, since the money had already been spent.”

Emma grimaced. “That must have gone down a treat.”