Chapter Eleven #2
“Sowing something.” Mrs. Benson frowned.
“But Boddingford’s other sons hated him just as equally,” she said with a shake of her head.
“Most recently, the Earl of Edgington had a row with him over how His Grace treated the countess due to her mixed heritage. He often took the stance that he refused to have brown grandchildren.”
“How uncaring that is to think let alone say aloud to a son.” Concern threaded through Mary’s voice as her pencil tip hovered above the notebook. “Why couldn’t the duke just be thrilled that his son is so happy and secure in this marriage?”
“I couldn’t say, Mrs. Bright. The duke had many vices, as I’m sure you have already discovered, and the servants were not immune to his bullying.
” A sheen of tears welled in her eyes. “Over the years, I’ve listened to far too many maids telling me tales at my table of how the duke assaulted them, both physically and sexually.
He was always looking for someplace to stick his dick, and that included tutors and governesses when his children were in their formative years.
” Her voice took on a hard edge as she shook her head.
“Why should any of us mourn for a man like that?” The housekeeper sat, silent, with her gaze trained on him, clearly waiting on another question.
It was a painful truth, yet there was nothing to be done to protect the vulnerable people against a powerful duke.
Not within a household and not in the law.
Not until the powers-that-be changed in England.
Justice moved slowly, but he had to believe it would change.
Gabriel blew out a breath, for none of this was getting them any closer to the truth—about anything.
“When the family was around, how did the duke act toward Mr. Corbett?”
“He barely tolerated the man and often said his daughter could have done much better.” Mrs. Benson blew out a breath.
“Mr. Corbett and his wife were adorable together, and with them close to being parents? Oh, he was beside himself with joy as well as nerves. All the servants look forward to having a young one in the family again.”
“Children are a big responsibility,” Mary said as she wrote down a note. “Was Mr. Corbett prepared to take care of a growing family?”
“I would have no idea, but he seemed the smart sort, always with his head firmly on business. Good at investing, and easy going, but even the calmest of men have a breaking point, and I believe His Grace was that for Mr. Corbett.”
Gabriel snorted. “Yet Mr. Corbett was already dead and therefore couldn’t murder the duke. Do you think his wife was capable of that?”
“I couldn’t say, Inspector.”
Of course she couldn’t… wouldn’t. “Had you ever known Boddingford to hire people to either intimidate others or go so far as to render them dead?”
One of the housekeeper’s eyelids twitched. “His Grace knew many people, both within the ton and not, and some of them were the unsavory sorts.”
“It’s a proven fact that servants overhear everything, so did you ever hear the duke explicitly say or plan that he wanted Mr. Corbett dead?”
She glanced at him. “There were a few times he’d say that to either his friends after dinner or to Her Grace in passing, especially after Mr. Corbett and Lady Amelia had been over to visit.”
There was a good possibility that the duke had his son-in-law killed, but then, he’d already suspected that.
“But he often said to other members of the family that he thought Mr. Corbett’s mind was weak and that he battled with darkness, which was another reason why he didn’t think Mr. Corbett was good for his daughter,” Mrs. Benson added with wide eyes.
No doubt that was merely the duke laying a foundation for when Mr. Corbett was eventually found dead. Except whoever did the deed, whether it was the duke or someone he’d hired, botched the actual job. For wasn’t the duke surprised when he discovered it was ruled a murder instead of a suicide?
“I see.” He glanced quickly at Mary, who shrugged. When he focused again on the housekeeper, he asked, “Did any of the duke’s children actually love him?”
“Perhaps his oldest daughter? She seemed to be one that had more latitude toward him. Lady Rebecca is engaged, and her wedding was to be during the Christmastide season. God only knows if that will still occur with her father’s death.”
“Mmm.” That didn’t bode well. “We shall, indeed, talk to the lady. And what of you, Mrs. Benson? How did you think of the duke? Did you believe his opinions and attitudes were correct, or do you think he needed more acceptance of others different from him?”
Again, the housekeeper’s gaze dropped to her hands. “It is not my place to agree with or judge my betters.”
“But surely you must have an opinion?”
“If I do, it has no bearing on your investigation, Inspector. Perhaps you should chase down His Grace’s contemporaries. Recently, the butler told me that His Grace had a dust up with that ambassador friend of his.”
“His name?”
“Ambassador Swanson. He was often a guest here, but a couple of weeks ago, His Grace ordered the ambassador out in a display of thunderous temper.”
Mary’s slight inhalation of breath when her brother’s name was mentioned was probably only evident to him, for the housekeeper made no sign that she’d heard. With a glance to his wife, Gabriel nodded.
“Thank you for your time, Mrs. Benson. If we have other questions, we’ll return. You can return to your duties now.”
She quickly rose, and when she did, Gabriel quickly scrutinized her dress, but he couldn’t see any visible buttons… or the lack of one. “Thank you, Inspector. Good luck on your investigation.” When she turned, he scanned the back of her attire, but there again, not a button in sight.
Damn it all to hell. Perhaps it’s come off from one of the duke’s female family members’ mourning gowns.
Once the older woman left the room, he looked at Mary. “Surely your brother isn’t the violent type.” It wasn’t a question.
“Of course not… at least I don’t think so, but I suppose we’ll find out.” After she shoved the notebook and pencil into her reticule, she stood. “This case is beyond frustrating.”
“Indeed, it is. I’ve been unable to make heads or tails of it, and I’m quite tired of it.
” He gestured at her so that she preceded him from the room.
“It’s also giving me a megrim.” In fact, that pain was gathering behind his eyes.
“Would you have any interest in visiting a tea house for an afternoon refreshment?” Perhaps a cup or two of strong tea would help to clear his thoughts.
“That would be lovely. I, too, am in need of a break.” Briefly, she rested a hand on his arm as they strode along the corridor. “We shall find that one clue which will burst this whole case open. We always do.”
“While I appreciate the sentiment, I have my doubts.” And if he didn’t solve the damn case, he wouldn’t receive payment for services rendered, and that would hinder his family and business from moving forward.
“What I wish we could do is gather everyone even remotely related to this case, lock them all in the same room, and then demand that they all turn on each other until the truth is squeezed out.”
The chuckle from Mary sent warmth through his chest. “That would prove too easy, Bright, and you don’t enjoy that.”
“You know me so well, sweeting.” With a grin, he escorted her from house, and as he passed the footman in the entry hall, he looked over the buttons on the man’s jacket. Unfortunately, they were all there, even if they were black.