Page 90 of Murder in Highbury

“I assure you that she did not hold back from expressing her great displeasure. I did offer to try to sell my new writing desk—or give it to her—but she grew very annoyed at that suggestion.”

“Did she tell you why she needed the money?”

“No, and I cannot understand why she was so displeased. Mrs. Elton has always taken such a kind interest in the school, and I have always considered her a friend. It was a shocking encounter, Mrs. Knightley.”

A rude Mrs. Elton was not the least bit shocking, in Emma’s opinion. But it was becoming ever more apparent that the Eltons, or at least Mrs. Elton, had money troubles.

“You did not speak to her again before her death?”

“I did not.”

Emma fell silent, pondering this new wrinkle in the fabric.

“I know I should have mentioned it,” Mrs. Goddard unhappily said, “but it seemed clear that Mrs. Elton was killed by a passing thief. Then, when Miss Bates told me about the promissory note and how Constable Sharpe tried to arrest her . . .”

“You were afraid you might come under suspicion, as well,” Emma gently finished.

She looked ashamed. “Yes.”

“Mrs. Goddard, no one could possibly suspect you,” Harriet exclaimed. “You are always so kind to everyone, even to Mrs. Elton—who was not a very nice person.”

Mrs. Goddard regarded her former pupil with a misty smile. “Thank you, dear child.”

Emma nodded. “Harriet is correct. It’s nonsense to think you could have had anything to do with Mrs. Elton’s murder.”

“I’m not sure Constable Sharpe would agree.”

“I hold no stock in any opinion held by Constable Sharpe, I assure you.”

In fact, Emma was convinced that she and Harriet were making a better job of the investigation than either the constable or the coroner.

“Mrs. Goddard, would you be comfortable if I shared this discussion with my husband?”

The woman’s eyes popped wide with alarm. “I don’t know. After what happened to Miss Bates . . .”

“It will not happen to you,” Emma firmly replied. “I highly doubt that Mr. Knightley will need to share this information with either Dr. Hughes or Constable Sharpe. The money was a freely given donation, not a loan. But it does point to a pattern of strange behavior on Mrs. Elton’s part.”

When Mrs. Goddard still hesitated, Emma leaned forward and pressed her hand. “Please trust me, ma’am. My husband will be very discreet, and this information could be useful to his investigation.”

The headmistress finally nodded her consent. “I suppose one must. And I do hope the murderer is soon caught, Mrs. Knightley. My girls are afraid to step outside the grounds of the school without a teacher and are even afraid to go to church.”

Harriet cocked her head. “The vengeful ghost?”

“Yes.”

“I thought I put an end to that nonsensical tale,” Emma said, exasperation flaring. “Please assure the girls there is no murderous ghost lurking about the church.”

Mrs. Goddard sighed again. “Better for a ghost to be blamed than Miss Bates.”

CHAPTER18

Feeling wilted after trudging home from Donwell in the heat, Emma handed her bonnet to the waiting footman.

“Mr. Woodhouse is waiting for you in the drawing room, ma’am,” he said.

“Thank you, Simon.”

She was desperate for a relaxing cup of tea, especially since she and George had not had a relaxing conversation.