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With his wife’s focus on her sister, she didn’t seem at all aware of Zahra’s gentle manner with the babe. Frederick’s new daughter kept revealing more and more aspects of her personality as she found her confidence and role in their little family.

Frederick couldn’t resist the tiniest smile, despite the shadow of the moment, to see her bloom a little more.

Lillias’ gaze flitted nervously between Grace and Frederick before darting toward the covered body. Her breath caught audibly, and she looked away.

“Start just before you came into this room,” Frederick suggested, positioning himself near the door to keep a watchful eye.

There didn’t seem to be any hidden dangers within the house, but he refused to become too relaxed.

Especially with a dead body still very evident before them.

“What happened leading up to your return to the house?”

Lillias hesitated, her chin lifting defensively. Why did he get the feeling she was hiding something? Frederick braced himself. If things were about to grow worse—he glanced briefly at Tony’s still form—he needed to be ready for Grace’s sake.

He already knew she was strong, probably more than she realized, but even her tenacity had its limit, and he feared her greatest weakness likely came closest to heart.

“Eloise—the ungrateful maid who abandoned me—had taken Thomas for a walk,” Lillias said, gesturing toward the doorway through which the maid had disappeared.

“I accompanied them until they grew close to home.” She looked away, fidgeting with her hands.

“When Thomas started fussing, I told Eloise to take him through the back door to the nursery while I came through the front to check the post.”

“Was Tony here when you left for your walk?” Grace asked.

“Yes.” The word came quickly, but the hesitation that followed was telling. “But he slept in so I hadn’t spoken to him yet.”

“How long were you gone?” Frederick prompted, holding Grace’s gaze as he did so.

“An hour? Maybe two?” Lillias shook her head and buried her face in her hands. “I don’t know!”

“There’s a great deal to process, I’m sure.” Grace rested a palm on Lillias’ back. “And I’m sorry to ask this, Lillias, … but do you recall if Tony was still alive when you came into the house?”

“What?” Lillias’ head shot up, her body stiffening. “Of course he wasn’t! I didn’t kill him!”

“I only meant was he breathing? Did he say anything before he … breathed his last?” Grace clarified.

“No. He wasn’t …” Lillias faltered, her shoulders slumping. “There were no words.”

“Had you ever seen Officer Clark before?” Frederick interjected.

Grace sent him a look.

“He called your sister by name,” he explained to Grace. “We never mentioned her name.”

Lillias sent him a wearying look, clearly not following. “No, I—I don’t think so.”

Before anyone could respond, the front door burst open. Three policemen entered, the first with his pistol drawn. He froze mid-step, his gaze bouncing from one person to the next. His eyes lingered on Zahra cradling the baby before dropping to the shrouded figure on the floor.

It was the calmest murder scene Frederick had ever been a part of.

He paused on that thought for a moment, suddenly aware how very odd it sounded to his own mind.

“Which one of you is Mrs. Dixon?” The man barked the question, causing Zahra and Lillias to flinch.

Frederick spread his hands in a placating gesture. “Sir, there’s no need for weapons. Everyone here wishes to cooperate fully.”

The man lowered the gun reluctantly as a second officer, better dressed and more composed, stepped forward.

His medium brown hair waved away from his face and matched the color of his close-shaven beard and mustache, his expression proving much more welcoming than the first man.

“Detective Johnson,” he introduced himself. “This is Officer Todd and Davis.”

“Thank you for coming,” Frederick said. “I’m Lord Astley, and this is my wife, Lady Astley.

Mrs. Dixon, the lady of the house and my wife’s sister.

” He gestured to Lillias, who gave a faint nod, her pallor concerning.

“We’re visiting my wife’s family and wish to assist in any way we can.

” Frederick continued. “Officer Clark said he’d send you to investigate. ”

“Officer Clark?” The first man, presumably Todd, barked out the question.

“Who the blazes is Officer Clark?” The one without the weapon raiseed his fist. “I’ll not have any funny business, sir.

I don’t know what sort of law and order they keep over in jolly old England, but ‘round here, we don’t abide misleading the police. ”

“We’re not.” Grace came to Frederick’s side. “He came shortly after my husband and I had arrived and said he was going to fetch more police. He left not half an hour ago.”

Johnson raised a hand, silencing the room. “Wait. Are you saying a man calling himself Officer Clark was here, saw the scene, and left to find reinforcements?”

“Exactly.” Grace nodded. “And he was rather rude about it too.”

Frederick’s stomach twisted. A man calling himself Officer Clark?

“He accused my sister of murdering her own husband without collecting any evidence or even examining the room.” Grace continued, gesturing toward Todd. “I believe your policemen are in need of more thorough training.”

“How did Officer Clark know to come to the house?” This from the detective.

Frederick held the man’s gaze, a sickening awareness slowly beginning to dawn. “He said he heard the screams while on patrol and came to assist.”

“What is it?” Grace’s voice rose into Frederick’s emerging thoughts. “What’s wrong?”

Detective Johnson looked from Frederick to Officer Todd and then back, his lips pressing tight before he answered. “We will certainly begin an investigation on what happened to Mr. Dixon, but I believe there may be an unfortunate compounding factor.”

The room grew silent in anticipation.

Johnson exchanged a grim look with Todd before addressing Frederick. “Our department doesn’t have anyone by the name of Officer Clark.”