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Athena gave Mrs. Hillman an overview of all that had been happening from Sally Osborn’s death to the present day, culminating with her suspicions regarding Neville Sinclair.

“He had motive and opportunity, and as the parish constable, he had the means to bring the case to a rapid conclusion. But other than a few brief meetings, I don’t know the man—and I’m guessing you do.

Do you think it possible that Neville Sinclair could have done it?

If so, how shall I proceed? I am eager to know your thoughts. ”

Mrs. Hillman had listened to all this in silence, while worrying her hands in her lap. After some hesitation, she gave her reply.

“Miss Taylor, I have long dreamt of finding justice for my darling Caroline. If the true perpetrator of that crime could be discovered and apprehended, it would right a terrible wrong. But I must say, you are barking up the wrong tree.”

“Why do you say so?”

“Because I have known Neville all his life, and his brother as well. Harold was violent even as a child. But Neville was different. Neville was the quiet, intelligent, studious one. He could be hardheaded at times, but as a boy, he used to rescue birds who’d fallen out of their nests.

He grew up to be a worthy man who takes his duties seriously—a pillar of the community.

” Mrs. Hillman sat forward in her chair.

“I may not share other people’s admiration of the man today—indeed, I despise Neville Sinclair for rushing to judgement about Caroline and assuring her conviction.

He may very well have hated his brother. But that doesn’t make him a murderer.”

Athena wasn’t ready to give up. “And yet, it’s possible , isn’t it? People can often surprise us. They appear to be one thing when deep down, they are really another.”

Mrs. Hillman shook her head. “Not Neville Sinclair. The man is as honest as the day is long. I don’t believe him capable of killing anyone.”

“I see.”

“Miss Taylor, I am touched that you have been thinking about this. But if your hope, as you say, is to reopen that murder case—your effort is a vain one.” Mrs. Hillman tapped her cane agitatedly on the floor.

“Neville Sinclair is now the magistrate for York. His word is law. Even if you were to find new information, I doubt he would change his opinion on a ruling that was made nine years ago, based on evidence that he presented in court.”

“I see what you mean. It would make him look foolish.”

“Exactly.” Tears pooled in Mrs. Hillman’s pale eyes. “I fear that any attempt to redeem Caroline is a lost cause. Oh! Just thinking about it gives me such a terrible headache. Forgive me, I must go.”

Athena escorted Mrs. Hillman from the house and watched, in low spirits, as she took her leave. Perhaps Athena was, as Mrs. Hillman had said, “barking up the wrong tree.” But if Neville Sinclair was not their perpetrator, then… who could it be?

*

“Did you really like my song?” Miss Weaver asked Mr. Chapman at dinner.

“You have a charming voice,” Mr. Chapman assured the young lady as he carved into his slice of mutton. “And your song was delightful.”

“Thank you!” Miss Weaver gazed at him rapturously across the table.

Athena noticed the other girls picking at their food with tight lips.

It reminded her of the sisterly rivalry that had existed when she had been a girl, over an amiable art tutor who had seemed to show a preference for Selena.

“This is not a contest, girls,” she reminded them. “You all have very sweet voices.”

As the girls chattered on, Athena’s mind returned to the conversation she’d just had with Mrs. Hillman. Neville Sinclair had seemed like the perfect solution to the mystery, but Mrs. Hillman’s arguments had been very convincing.

She’d only had the briefest moment to quietly inform Selena of what she’d learned before they had trooped in to dinner with their students.

Selena, as if attuned to Athena’s disappointment, had squeezed her hand and whispered in her ear, “Don’t fret.

That was just our first suspect. There must be other homicidal fish in the sea. ”

Athena’s lips twitched at the memory. Her sister did have a way of cheering her up in difficult times.

Their quest might be more difficult because Neville Sinclair was now the magistrate in charge.

And Athena knew that she could not speak to Mrs. Hillman about the matter again—it agitated the older woman too much. But that didn’t mean this was over.

Athena turned her attention back to the discussion at the table.

“I’m going to be an opera singer when I grow up,” announced Miss Gilbert.

“Oh?” Mr. Chapman chuckled. “I shouldn’t think your mother and father would approve of that.”

“Why not?”

“Opera singers have terrible reputations,” he answered with a grin. “As do actresses. They are known to receive a great many gentlemen callers.”

Cecelia Gilbert covered her mouth with one hand. “Oh! Then Mama and Papa would definitely disapprove.”

“I don’t care what they think,” Miss Gilbert insisted with a toss of her head. “I’ll do what I want.”

“I want to be a writer when I grow up,” Miss Russell declared as she buttered a slice of bread.

Athena smiled at that. “What will you write?”

“Novels. They will all be Gothic tales and feature a heroine in grave danger.”

“Oooh,” enthused Miss Weaver through a mouthful of potatoes. “I love those kinds of stories.”

“What’s your favorite novel, Mr. Chapman?” Miss Russell asked.

“Me? I don’t read books. I prefer notes on the page— musical notes, that is.”

“Music and reading are both enjoyable occupations,” Athena pointed out.

“You are missing out, though, if you don’t read novels, sir,” Selena insisted.

Miss Russell’s fork tumbled to the floor. As she crouched down beneath the table to retrieve it, she exclaimed, “What is this, Miss Taylor?”

“What is what, Miss Russell?”

“There are initials carved on the underside of the table. It says EA .”

“Who is EA ?” Miss Jones wondered.

“It’s a mystery,” Selena answered in a stealthy tone, which made everyone laugh.

Athena seemed to recall someone mentioning a person with those initials but couldn’t remember who or when. “This table belonged to the former owners of Thorndale Manor. Those initials might have been carved a century ago, or more.”

The rest of the meal was devoted to a discussion about the merits of reading versus music. Although reading took the lead for quite a while, by the time the pudding had been consumed, the joys of singing, playing the pianoforte, listening to a concert, and dancing seemed to have won the argument.

After dinner, as everyone funneled out of the dining room, Mr. Chapman asked Athena, “May I borrow you for a moment, Miss Taylor? I’d like to go over my planned curriculum for the coming weeks.”

“Certainly.” Selena took the girls to the drawing room for their study hour, and Athena accompanied Mr. Chapman to the music room. They spent half an hour selecting vocal and pianoforte pieces from among his own collection.

“All fine choices,” Mr. Chapman said. “You have good taste.”

“You are an excellent guide.”

“I’d like your opinion about one more piece if I may. It’s a duet.”

He showed her the sheet music. Athena recognized the song. “Do you think it’s too difficult for the girls?”

“Shall we find out? Will you play it with me?”

Athena hesitated. It had been many years since she had played this piece, and Mr. Chapman was a far superior musician. “I can try,” she said finally.

He placed the sheet music on the pianoforte’s music stand. “You can play the melody, as it’s a bit easier, and I’ll play the secondo. Sound good?”

She nodded and sat down beside him on the bench. They began. At first, Athena’s fingers seemed to stumble over the keys, and it was all she could do to keep up with Mr. Chapman.

“You’re doing fine,” he said kindly, darting her a smile.

About halfway through the piece, Athena started to feel more confident, and as they breezed through the final stanzas, she almost felt as if her fingers were flying.

They finished with a flourish, and Athena exhaled with relief and delight.

She had almost forgotten the freedom and sense of joy that came with playing the pianoforte.

“Well done!” he exclaimed. “You’ll be taking my place as music master yet.”

Athena laughed. “That will never happen. And the girls would never forgive me if you were to leave. I think they are all infatuated with you.”

He leaned closer, his lips curving upwards as he gave her an admiring glance. “I should rather that their teacher were infatuated with me,” he said softly.

Athena felt a ripple of sparks fly through the air between them and suddenly became aware of how close they were sitting to each other on the piano bench. She quickly stood, her cheeks growing hot. “Mr. Chapman. Please don’t say such things. You work for me.”

“I know. But a man can dream, can’t he?”

Despite herself, Athena was flattered by the keen and yet respectful look in his eyes. She silently censured herself. This flirting was inappropriate. “Sir,” she began, but he cut her off.

“I am only teasing.” He rose from the bench and returned the music sheets to his leather case. “Or only half-teasing,” he admitted. “I deem myself grateful for your friendship, Miss Taylor.”

“As I do yours,” Athena returned.

Mr. Chapman gestured to the window. Although it was still light out, the moon was visible in the early-evening sky. “Would you do me the honor of joining me for a turn about the garden, Miss Taylor? It’s a lovely evening.”

“I should return to the drawing room for social hour.”

“The girls are being looked after by Miss Selena, are they not? You can’t work every minute of the day. You deserve a little time for yourself.”

Athena hesitated. She hadn’t had a chance to walk in the garden all day, and the idea was appealing. “Very well, Mr. Chapman. But for only half an hour and no more.”