Chapter Ten #2
For long moments, the duchess glared at him. Then, she slowly shook her head. “Am I sad that he’s gone? No, I’m not. Boddingford had many vices, prejudices, and that whore he called a mistress, which could have been proper motivation for me to rid myself of him, but I didn’t kill him.”
“You’d argued with him last night.” It wasn’t a question.
“I did.” She nodded. “Because he was a horrible husband. All my children are grown, and they don’t need his interference to live happy lives.
I’d told him our marriage was over, that it was ridiculous to keep pretending.
” With a shrug, she flounced to a chair and then perched upon the edge.
“I told him he could have the use of his other properties, but that I wanted full and clear use of this London townhouse.”
Bright frowned. “Why?”
“It’s centrally located to where my children live, and now that they are marrying and having children of their own, I don’t want to miss those moments.
” Fleeting sadness shadowed her eyes. “He was always too hard on them, and with all the secrets we have had to keep, I don’t blame them for wanting to cut ties, but I don’t want them to think I held the same views as my husband. ”
Mary’s chest tightened from the concern in the other woman’s voice. “I’m sure they don’t. They are grown adults with discernment and reasoning skills of their own. They’ll know.”
“That is the hope,” the duchess said in a soft voice as she gazed at Bright. “Boddingford and I went to a rout last night. He left early to be with his mistress, which he usually did. I lingered for an hour more before my son Charles and his wife drove me home.”
As Mary glided her pencil lead across a page, she asked, “What happened then?”
The duchess swallowed heavily. “He sent his wife home but stayed because he wanted a word with his father.”
“Why?” Bright wanted to know. “They’d argued previously, and from what I understood, the earl threatened to move from England because of his father.”
“Yes, this is so, and I don’t blame him, but after he’d time to cool down, he wanted one last chance to talk with Boddingford, to come to an understanding…” Her eyes rounded. “Do you think my son killed him?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll need to speak with him, and he had a strong motive.” Bright glanced at Mary. “Make sure you write that down.”
“Of course.” Mary nodded. “Between the rout and the duke coming home earlier tonight, do you know where he might have gone?”
“No, why? I assumed he spent the time with his mistress.”
Bright cleared his throat. “Someone attacked Mary and I on the street where we live tonight a bit before midnight.”
“I don’t know anything about that.” The duchess shook her head. “If you want to know the truth, Boddingford and I rarely spoke these days.” She heaved out a breath. “I despised him, Inspector. The marriage broke down over the years, and he wasn’t willing to change.”
He nodded. “You didn’t share his views that England belongs to original titled families?”
“Perhaps I did before our children grew, but now that they’re adults and have gone their own ways, choosing the companions that they have, I have changed my mind.”
At least she was self-aware enough to admit it. Mary nodded. “Where was Lady Amelia during the early hours of this morning when your husband was murdered?”
“She was here, of course, but she wasn’t with me.”
A frown tugged at the corners of Mary’s mouth. “Was she sleeping?”
“I would have no idea.”
The rustle of fabric at the door preceded the arrival of the lady.
“I can answer that.” Lady Amelia came into the room dressed in an outfit much like what her mother wore but not as luxurious or expensive.
Dark smudges beneath her eyes attested to sleepless nights, and she rested a hand on her swollen belly.
“I wasn’t sleeping, but I was in my old room.
” She shook her head as she crossed the room to sit in the chair near her mother’s.
“I miss my husband, so I find it difficult to settle in for the nights. Also, I’m uncomfortable in this pregnancy.
With just over two months left, it’s been difficult on my body. ”
“I’m so sorry,” Mary said with a soft smile at the young woman.
“We won’t keep you long because you need to rest and think of the baby.
” She flipped to a fresh page in her notebook.
“Not to be too crass, your husband was murdered, and we suspect that your father killed him, or had him killed.” When the two ladies gasped, Mary paused but held up a hand.
“Like it or not, that is what our investigation has uncovered. Everyone knew what sort of man the duke was, and if you’re honest with yourselves, you’ll know it’s true. ”
Thankfully, Bright took over the questioning at that point. “The question remains is this, Lady Amelia: did you wish for revenge enough to kill your own father?”
“Of course not.” Seconds later, the poor woman burst into tears. “Yes, Papa was a horrible man, but I didn’t want him dead.”
Because Bright was a good man, he passed the young lady his handkerchief while looking uncomfortable from her tears.
“I realize this is a difficult time for you both, but I do still want justice for Mr. Corbett even though the duke’s murder will take priority under Bow Street’s dictates.
” He glanced at Mary, who nodded in encouragement.
“Do you know who would have had reason to remove the duke from this mortal coil? Now is not the time to cling to familial secrets out of shame or embarrassment.”
The ladies shared a speaking glance, and surprisingly, it was Lady Amelia who answered.
“My brother, Johnathon, had good reason to despise our father. Perhaps you should start there.” The delicate tendons in her throat worked with a hard swallow. “So did my oldest sister, Rebecca.”
Slowly, the duchess nodded. “There is a good possibility that Johnathon, the youngest son, might have the motive you are searching for.”
What an interesting way of wording that. “I apologize for this question if it sounds insensitive, but you said he is the youngest son, but not your son.”
She nodded. “He is not my son, but is, in fact, a by-blow of my husband’s. That is all I will say.”
After writing down a few more notes, Mary closed her notebook.
Then she tucked it and the pencil into her reticule.
“Thank you both for your time. That is all the questions we have in this moment.” She swiftly stood while Bright scrambled to his feet.
“Should we need something clarified, we will call again.”
The duchess huffed out a breath. “I would rather not be bothered about this again. The family needs time to grieve and prepare.”
“While that is an admirable wish, Your Grace, it might not be possible as this investigation progresses.” Bright fished into a pocket of his greatcoat and withdrew a calling card.
“However, should you think of something else pertinent, please send for me.” He handed the card to Lady Amelia.
“And do try to relax. Being anxious and worried isn’t good for the babe. ”
“Thank you, Inspector Bright.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes.
Mary glanced at the duchess. “And again, we are sorry for your loss.”
Lady Amelia snorted. “Yes, well, I am certain we will all be the better for it.” Then she shook her head, “I don’t know how I’m going to care for my babe, let alone everything else in life, especially now that Papa is dead on the heels of my husband. Who will take care of me now?”
As her eyes widened, Mary peered at her husband, and together, they left the drawing room. At the stairs, she whispered, “What now?”
“We are going home, and then I plan to sleep until noon.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Now that is a very good idea. I’m nearly dead on my feet.” Belatedly, she realized that was probably insensitive given the circumstances. “I have a feeling this case will prove even more convoluted before we start to see the light.”
“It wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying to solve if it wasn’t.” On the ground floor, he guided her into the entry hall. The butler wasn’t there, but that didn’t matter. “However, I will admit that I don’t like being accountable to Chief Inspector Morritson.”
“Understandable. Do you need to check in with him tomorrow?”
“I will.” He shook his head as they gained the outside. “God, Mary, I do wonder if we will be able to solve this case, though.”
“We will.” She took his hand and squeezed his fingers. “Remember, all we need is one solid clue that will break the whole thing open.”
“Right.” When he raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back, she grinned. “You always seem to know what to say to keep me going and grounded.”
And she hoped that would be enough to see them through.