Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
T ilda watched Hadrian’s eye twitch at the word “interrogate.” Was he angry? She was trying to think if she’d ever seen him truly angry and didn’t think she had. He typically controlled his emotions quite well.
Teague turned to Mrs. Chambers. “Is there somewhere I can take Ravenhurst to talk privately?”
“The parlor. It’s off the entrance hall,” the widow said.
Meeting Hadrian’s eyes, Teague inclined his head toward the door. “Please excuse us,” he said to Mrs. Chambers. Then he looked to the valet. “Massey, I will speak with you when I return.”
Hadrian glanced toward Tilda, then he strode from the study with Teague following behind. Tilda went after them. When they reached the entrance hall, Teague turned and frowned at her.
“I didn’t invite you,” Teague said, sounding quite cross. He was generally an amiable fellow, and they’d formed a good rapport as Tilda and Hadrian had worked to solve the case of who had stabbed Hadrian.
“Nevertheless, I am here,” Tilda said with a vague smile. “Do you really object to my presence? Hadrian will tell me everything you discuss.”
“Very well.” Teague nodded, and they all went into the parlor.
Hadrian arched a dark brow at Tilda. Though he appeared annoyed, he was still quite handsome, with his square jaw and sculptured brow. His blue eyes were fringed with long, dark lashes that any woman—besides Tilda—would envy.
“Do you mind my being here?” she asked.
“Not at all. As you said, I would tell you everything anyway.” He shifted his gaze to the detective inspector. “Just as I will tell Teague all he wants to know.”
“ Everything ,” Teague said. “I want to know everything, starting with where and when you saw Chambers last night. Be specific.”
Hadrian related the events at Arthur’s in much the same way he’d told them to Tilda earlier.
“You’ve no idea why Chambers behaved in that manner with you?” Teague asked, echoing Tilda’s question.
“I do not.”
Teague grunted. “Tell me about your betrothal to Mrs. Chambers and why you didn’t marry.”
Hadrian’s jaw tensed. “We were betrothed four years ago. I caught Beryl in Chambers’ arms at a ball. We decided not to wed, and she went on to marry Chambers.” He spoke in a clipped tone. Tilda was sorry he had to bring this up again.
“I suppose I can understand why you didn’t readily offer those details,” Teague said. “Still, you should have told me.”
“Forgive me if I didn’t care to explain how I was betrayed,” Hadrian replied icily. “I prefer not to discuss it.”
Teague’s expression was wary, assessing. “Back to last night, what happened when you left the club?”
“My coachman drove me home. We arrived shortly before midnight.”
“I or one of the constables will need to speak with him.”
“He’s outside,” Hadrian said, gesturing toward the window that faced the street.
Teague nodded. “Did you remain at home, or did you leave again?”
“I retired to my bedchamber.” Hadrian gave Teague a stern stare. “My valet can corroborate that.”
“Can he also confirm you were in your bedchamber all night?” Teague asked.
Hadrian pressed his lips together, appearing beleaguered. “I sleep alone, so no, he cannot confirm that. He woke me at eight this morning and I was still in my bed. Does that help?”
Tilda heard his irritation and sarcasm. She didn’t think it helped at all but refrained from saying so.
Teague had watched Hadrian intently whilst he spoke and didn’t react to Hadrian’s frustration. “Have you had any interaction with Chambers—or Mrs. Chambers—since they wed?”
“I’ve encountered Beryl a time or two but not intentionally. Which is why I was quite shocked to receive a letter from her yesterday asking me to call on her. She said it was a dire matter and that if I’d ever cared for her, I would come.”
He hadn’t shared the details of the letter’s language with Tilda before. She hadn’t realized Mrs. Chambers was prone to being emotional.
“I will need the letter,” Teague said. “I assume you still have it.”
Hadrian nodded. “I will bring it to Scotland Yard later, if you like.”
“I would, thank you.” Teague contemplated Hadrian a moment. “So, you received this letter from Mrs. Chambers after all this time, and you decided to come here. Upon arriving, you discovered her husband is dead.”
“It’s incredibly shocking.” Hadrian glanced at Tilda. “I was also surprised to learn from Tilda that Beryl wanted to divorce her husband.”
Teague looked to Tilda. “I haven’t yet sat down to speak with Mrs. Chambers at length, so I was not aware of this. How do you know?”
“I work for the barrister she hired,” Tilda replied. “I called here yesterday to meet with her.” She went on to disclose all she’d learned the day before, including Beryl’s bruises, the missing jewelry, and her husband’s potential affair.
“That is all deeply concerning,” Teague said. “Chambers doesn’t sound like a particularly pleasant fellow.”
“No,” Tilda agreed. “I met him briefly yesterday, and he was most disagreeable. To hide the purpose of my visit, I said I was here to help with refurbishment. That made him very angry as he said there was no money for that. He bumped into Mrs. Chambers on his way out, and while that may sound innocuous, he did so violently. I do not believe it was an accident.”
“I would say Mrs. Chambers is better off without him,” Teague said with a dark frown. “Which makes her a suspect.”
Tilda did not respond to that but glanced at Hadrian, whose expression was somewhat dour. Addressing Teague once more, she said, “I’ve already published a list of the missing jewelry in a few newspapers.”
“Do let me know if you hear anything, please,” Teague said. “I appreciate you sharing this information. What will become of your investigation now?”
“Since Mrs. Chambers is no longer in need of a divorce, my work is concluded. Except for searching for the jewelry. That was a separate endeavor.”
Teague nodded. “I was afraid you were going to tell me that you plan to investigate Chambers’ murder.”
Tilda wished she was, but she could not afford to work without being paid. “I have not been hired to do so. But would you have a problem with that?” It sounded as if he might.
“As detective inspector, conducting this investigation is my job now,” he said. “This case will have my full attention until I’ve found the murderer.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Tilda said with smile. “Congratulations to you. The Metropolitan Police are lucky to have you in this role.”
Teague smiled in response. “Thank you, Miss Wren. If you think of anything else that would help our investigation, I hope you’ll let me know.”
“Of course. I’m sure you’ll try to determine whether Mr. Chambers had a paramour, and if so, who she could be. You’ll also want to look into the drapery shop he was opening with a man named Edgar Pollard.”
“I did hear mention of the shop,” Teague said. “I believe the butler said someone should notify his partner.” He turned to Hadrian. “Do you have anything else to share?”
Hadrian shook his head. “I’ve told you everything. I’ll deliver Beryl’s letter later today.”
“Thank you. I am sorry for the discomfort this situation may have caused you. I don’t mean to offend.” He turned toward the door. “I must go interview Massey. I would ask that you delay your departure for a short while, as I would like to send a constable outside to speak with your coachman.”
“Of course,” Hadrian replied.
Teague left, and Hadrian turned to face Tilda. “Am I a suspect now?”
“He didn’t say, but he’s at least gathering all the information he can, which includes your alibi. I would do the same.”
“But you are not, because this is not your investigation.” Hadrian studied her a moment. “Do you wish that it was?”
“There is no point in wishing,” Tilda said brusquely—because she would dearly love to. “I can’t afford to work without payment, and Mrs. Chambers no longer needs my services to obtain a divorce.” Tilda frowned slightly. “It’s convenient that her husband is dead. I know you said she would never kill him, but I do think Teague will focus his investigation on her. I would, at least for the moment.”
“In that case, she needs someone to find the truth. You must investigate. I’ll hire you on her behalf.” Hadrian had hired her for their last investigation, which had started as a search for the man who’d stabbed him.
“You can’t keep paying me to conduct investigations.”
He arched a dark brow. “Isn’t that what you do?” His tone was wry, and Tilda had to keep from rolling her eyes.
“Yes, but last time you had a personal stake because you were nearly killed.” Tilda cocked her head. “Unless, you also have a personal stake in this investigation?”
“I do if Teague considers me a suspect.”
Tilda saw the constable walk through the entrance hall on his way outside, presumably to interview Leach about Hadrian’s departure from Arthur’s last night. “The constable just went out,” she said.
Hadrian glanced at the window. “Even if Teague doesn’t consider me a suspect, I am still under investigation.” He met Tilda’s gaze. “As such, I want to hire you to prove someone else committed the murder.”
She couldn’t find fault with that, even if she didn’t really want to take money from him again now that they were friends. She could also not deny the fact that she was most eager to investigate this murder—almost as eager as she was to ensure Hadrian wasn’t harmed by the investigation. To be accused of murder would be an ugly affair, and it was already bad enough that he had to revisit the aborted betrothal in his past. “Are you serious about hiring me?”
He smiled. “Quite. You are now officially on the case. If you agree. Please agree.”
Tilda wanted to make sure he knew what he was asking her to do. “What if I find that Beryl killed her husband?”
He met her gaze with an intense stare. “I trust that you will discover the truth, whatever it is.”
Glad to hear him say that, Tilda inclined her head. “Yes, I will investigate this for you.” He smiled in relief, and she knew she’d made the right decision to help him. “I want to see what else I can learn here. Let us return to the study.”
“Allow me to escort you,” he said pleasantly. And they were now officially back in the roles they’d occupied during their last investigation. Or were they?
Tilda had started toward the entrance hall but turned to face him. “Are you planning to assist me as before?”
“Won’t my cursed gift be of use to you? I also hope I contribute to the investigation with my intellect.”
“Both are useful,” Tilda replied as she turned toward the entrance hall. “I would see Mrs. Chambers before we go. I need to speak with her about the missing jewelry and whether she wants me to continue looking for it.”
Hadrian followed her into the entrance hall. “Is her missing jewelry now part of the murder investigation?”
Tilda paused. “It is indeed.” Now she needn’t worry about whether Mrs. Chambers would pay her. Since Hadrian was now funding the investigation, that would include Tilda’s pursuit of the missing heirlooms.
As they walked together to the study, Tilda was aware of Hadrian’s proximity. She caught his scent, a distinctive cologne he wore. It was pleasing, though she could not detect the individual fragrances within it. Hadrian likely could, and not because he’d purchased it, but because he had a nose for such things.
She had missed seeing him, even though it had barely been a week since they’d concluded their investigation. Now, they were doing it again. She couldn’t deny it was thrilling.
Her father had been a police sergeant on the verge of promotion to the Detective Branch when he’d been killed as he encountered a theft taking place. He’d taught Tilda everything she knew about observing situations and people, as well as how to solve problems and find answers. If she’d been able, she would have joined the police herself.
As they entered the sitting room, Hadrian waved at her to stop. He crept toward the door to the study and motioned for her to move in front of him. Putting his finger to his lips, he inclined his head toward the doorway.
Tilda listened and made out the conversation between Teague and the valet.
“Mr. Chambers returned from his club around midnight,” Massey said. “I undressed him and took my leave. It was my regular night off. Each fortnight I have a night to myself.”
“Then why were you here so late?” Teague asked.
“Mr. Chambers prefers I’m here to help him undress and take care of his clothing. In exchange, he does not expect me to return until mid-morning.”
“And where do you go?”
There was an extended silence before the valet answered. “Is that important?”
“We need everyone to provide an alibi.”
Another silence before Massey said something Tilda couldn’t make out.
“Pardon?” Teague said.
Again, Massey spoke, but Tilda still couldn’t hear what he said.
“I see,” Teague replied slowly. “I understand your concern. I am not here to punish anyone for anything other than the murder of your employer. However, I may need the name of the … establishment you went to so that I may confirm your alibi. I will not record the location in the report. When you left the house last night, Mr. Chambers was alive?”
There was another silence. Perhaps the valet had nodded.
“Forgive the indelicacy of my next question,” Teague said. “Were you aware of Mr. Chambers having a liaison?”
“It is not my place to notice such things.” The valet sounded almost nonchalant. “I know Mr. Chambers was unhappy in his marriage and that his wife had refused him access to her bed.”
That was not what Mrs. Chambers had told Tilda. However, she needed to consider the possibility that her client had lied.
“You have no idea who your employer’s paramour may have been?” Teague prodded.
“As I said, I do not pay attention to such things. I can say that Mrs. Chambers was having an affair.”
“You knew about her having an affair but not her husband,” Teague noted. It didn’t sound like a question. “With whom is she having a liaison?”
“I am not certain.”
“Do you have suspicions?” Teague prodded.
“Mr. Chambers often mentioned his wife’s infidelity. Just last night, he speculated it was likely Ravenhurst.”
Tilda heard Hadrian’s intake of breath behind her. She turned her head and gave him a quelling look.
“What was his evidence for making that claim?” Teague asked.
“He didn’t say. You haven’t asked, but I would not be surprised to learn that Mrs. Chambers killed him.”
“Why is that?”
“She did not care for her husband at all,” the valet said with disdain. “They fought a great deal.”
“What did they fight about?”
“Most often, it was money. Mrs. Chambers is a spendthrift. Her reckless purchasing and running up debts were a cause of great stress to Mr. Chambers. He was always taking her to task over it, and she would grow angry. She was also not supportive of his investment in the drapery shop, which angered him. He was trying to improve their financial situation by becoming a man of business.”
“I see,” Teague said.
“May I see Mr. Chambers now?” Massey asked, his voice sounding a bit hollow.
“Yes. I don’t have any more questions for the moment. We will need to take the body for the inquest tomorrow. You can come with me into the bedchamber, but you may not touch anything . Is that clear?”
The constable who’d gone outside returned. He eyed Tilda and Hadrian before proceeding into the study.
Tilda moved away from the doorway, and Hadrian followed her. “I don’t believe for a moment that a valet wouldn’t be aware of his employer having an affair. I’ve never had a valet, or a personal maid, but wouldn’t they know if their employer had entertained someone who wasn’t their spouse in their bedchamber? And we know Chambers did that because of the vision you saw.”
“I would be surprised if a valet didn’t know, particularly given Massey’s awareness of what’s happening in this household between his employer and his wife.”
Massey strode from the study, his gaze falling briefly on Tilda and Hadrian before he continued into the sitting room. Tilda craned her neck to watch him pass through the open doorway to the servants’ stairwell.
“You’re still here,” Teague said, drawing them to turn toward the study where he stood in the doorway. “My constable says you were likely eavesdropping on my interview with the valet.”
“I was looking for Mrs. Chambers,” Tilda said, purposely not responding to Teague’s comment. “I must speak with her to conclude our business before I leave.”
“I’m here.” Mrs. Chambers stepped into the sitting room. She’d pinned a black bow to her bodice.
“I’ll let you go first,” Teague said. “Then you can be on your way.” He smiled benignly, but Tilda could tell he was eager for them to go, lest they continue to eavesdrop on his interrogations. Which they’d absolutely done, and which Tilda would do again if given the chance.
“Inspector, do you know when the inquest will be?” Tilda asked. “I imagine you will want Hadrian to be there.”
“He will be summoned,” Teague confirmed. “As will you, since you have information pertaining to Mrs. Chambers seeking a divorce from her husband. I’ve no doubt the coroner will determine Chambers was murdered, and he will conduct an inquest to aid us in solving the crime.”
“Must I go as well?” Mrs. Chambers asked, her voice sounding small, her features creased with concern.
“You will also be summoned,” Teague said. “You are a suspect as well as a witness.”
Mrs. Chambers’ amber-brown eyes rounded, and her face went completely white before she crumpled toward the floor.