A Study in Death (Lady Darby Mystery, A Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

There was his wife’s dead body splayed out on the floor before him, and he didn’t display even a flicker of grief or shock.”
    He opened his mouth as if to protest, but I spoke over him, knowing what he was going to say.
    “It’s not that I thought he should have broken down in tears or anything like that. I know all about you gentlemen and your pride in your stiff upper lips. But he could have spared her more than a mere glance.”
    “Kiera, I understand what you’re saying, but even if their marriage wasn’t happy, even if he doesn’t grieve her loss, that doesn’t mean he killed her.”
    I backed away from him, crossing my arms over my chest. “I can’t believe it. You don’t believe me.”
    “It’s not that. You’re making some very serious accusations. Weneed to consider the matter carefully before we stir up a hornet’s nest when there might be no reason for it. You said yourself that you were
almost
certain. Is that enough?”
    I turned aside to stare up at the murky window. Was it? How sure was I that Lady Drummond had been killed by poison? Certain enough to stake my reputation and that of Gage?
    “I liked her,” I told him, my voice emerging softer than before. “I sincerely liked her.” I knew he would appreciate the weight of those words, for I did not say them often. “And I suppose I could relate to her in ways I can’t with other ladies.” I glanced at Gage to find him watching me in quiet understanding. “I wanted to help her, but I didn’t want to push her into telling me things I knew she wasn’t ready for.” Guilt squeezed my chest. “I thought she might be starting to trust me, you know. Yesterday morning. She asked if I was still assisting you with your inquiries.”
    “Really? Just yesterday?”
    I recognized the hint of interest in his voice. I’d noticed that the more he suppressed his inflection, the more intrigued he was.
    “Yes.”
    He moved a step closer. “Was this before or after he waved the letter in her face?”
    I tilted my head, trying to figure out what he was thinking. “Before.”
    He reached up to push a hand through his cropped curls. He inhaled, seeming to come to a decision. “Let me make some discreet inquiries and find out if the physician has officially declared Lady Drummond’s death to be from an apoplexy. He may have reconsidered the matter.”
    I knew he would not have, but I didn’t argue. “Thank you!” I gasped, rising up on my toes to kiss his cheek.
    His eyes gleamed as he caught me to him. “Yes, well, I think you can reward me better than that.”
    So I did.



CHAPTER 5
    “M y lady,” Figgins said in astonishment as he admitted me to the town house. “Did his lordship’s coachman forget to collect you from the Drummonds’ household?”
    “No, Figgins,” I replied, passing him my satchel. “There were some unforeseen circumstances this morning.” He didn’t ask me to elaborate. A good butler never would ask more than he ought, and Figgins certainly excelled in his position. “Please let him know I won’t be needing him to collect me.”
    “Of course.”
    I wearily removed my gloves and cloak. “Is Alana in the drawing room?”
    “She’s resting in her chamber, my lady.”
    I closed my eyes and heaved a sigh of relief. There would be no need to inform her of Lady Drummond’s death just yet. But then I realized how rude my reaction to her absence must appear. My eyes darted to Figgins’s face.
    The butler merely hid a smile as he draped my cloak over his arm. “I imagine a lady’s confinement must be trying for everyone.”
    “Er, yes,” I said, grateful for his good humor.
    “Shall I have tea sent up?”
    “Not just yet.”
    He nodded, surveying my drawn features, but once again kept his curiosity to himself.
    I trudged up the stairs to the drawing room and crossed to the large window that looked out on Charlotte Square. Only a handful of children played in the grassy garden at the center of the square on