Chapter 14 #4
George had been right all along. Whatever the young man’s faults, he wasn’t a murderer.
“William truly is very sorry, Mrs. Knightley,” said Susan.
“I believe you,” Emma replied with a sigh. “But I would still like him to call on Mr. Knightley and offer a formal apology. I promise Mr. Knightley will not give him a thundering scold, but it would be appropriate for your brother to acknowledge his shortcomings.”
Anne scowled. “I don’t see why—”
Her sister elbowed her into silence. “I’m sure William will be happy to do that. And he’s ever so much better now. He’s quite smitten with Miss Nash, and Mama thinks she will be a good influence on him.”
Poor Miss Nash.
“One can only hope so,” Emma replied.
Anne grabbed her sister’s arm. “Mr. Knightley is finished talking to Guy Plumtree. And all the other girls are in the parlor, so now’s our chance to get him all to ourselves.”
Susan glanced at Emma with pleading eyes. “Do you mind, Mrs. Knightley?”
“Not in the slightest.”
Susan gave her a grateful smile before Anne hurried her across the room.
Emma stood quietly for a few moments, gathering her thoughts.
Although it seemed she must absolve William of culpability in Prudence’s death, there were still too many questions.
For one thing, both Mrs. Hodges and Harry had been adamant that the young man had been the cause of the girl’s extreme emotional distress. But if William wasn’t, who was?
The situation defied rational explanation. Emma simply couldn’t convince herself that Prudence had accidentally fallen out a narrow window, even if she had been inebriated—which, according to those who knew her best, was most unlikely.
George, conversing with Father and Isabella by the fire, sent her an inquiring look. Emma went to join her family.
“You were having quite an extended conversation with the Cox girls,” he said.
“Yes, and I’m already doing my best to forget it.”
When George raised his eyebrows, Emma smiled. “I’ll explain later. You were conversing at length with young Mr. Plumtree, I noticed.”
“He was asking me about Donwell Abbey.”
“That’s rather odd, isn’t it?”
“His father encouraged him to do it. Guy strikes me as a bright young man, if a bit aimless.”
“But he wants nothing to do with estate management. He was emphatic about that,” Emma replied.
George shrugged. “Perhaps he was simply trying to please his father by quizzing me. Squire Plumtree apparently thinks I’m a good role model.”
“He’s correct, but I hope the squire doesn’t expect you to tutor his son on estate management. You’re terribly busy at it is.”
“That’s why I suggested he speak with Larkins. I’m hoping he will relieve me of the burden of mentoring Guy Plumtree.”
Emma tried to repress a laugh. “Dearest, that is really quite dreadful of you. Poor Larkins.”
“Your father apparently shares your opinion,” George dryly replied.
Father huffed. “I cannot approve of Squire Plumtree, Emma. He’s too loud and bluff. He reminds me of that dreadful Constable Sharpe, going about constantly annoying everyone.”
She cast a hasty glance around the room.
“You needn’t worry,” said Isabella. “Mrs. Cole set up card tables in the dining room, and Squire Plumtree is in there with Miss Bates.”
“I do hope the squire will not upset Miss Bates by speaking about that terrible incident at Donwell,” Father fretfully commented.
Emma frowned. “Why would he?”
“He did so earlier in the evening,” Isabella explained. “I believe Squire Plumtree thought he was commiserating with Father, but it was quite a distressing conversation.”
George cocked his head. “In what way?”
Father fluttered a hand. “Because one shouldn’t speak about such things in polite company.”
“But what did he actually say?” Emma asked.
“He pointed out how sorry his son was about the episode,” said Isabella. “Apparently, Mr. Barlowe was very upset, too. The squire made a point of saying that Guy was quite concerned for Mr. Barlowe’s emotional state.”
Emma frowned. “But Mr. Barlowe knew nothing about Prudence’s death until the next day. Why would he be so upset?”
“I suppose any right-thinking cleric would be upset about such a tragedy,” George replied.
“That cannot be right,” Emma said. “Mr. Barlowe told me that he barely knew Prudence. He certainly didn’t seem particularly upset by her death.”
“It certainly isn’t right,” Father huffed. “It was poor Miss Bates who suffered the shock of discovering the body, not Mr. Plumtree or Mr. Barlowe. Emma, you must check on Miss Bates. I will not have the squire disturbing her with any more mention of those dreadful events.”
“Father, do not upset yourself,” Isabella exclaimed in an agitated tone. “Your nerves. What will Mr. Perry say?”
“I will see to Miss Bates,” George calmly interjected. “Perhaps she’s had enough cards for the evening and would like to watch the dancing.”
As he went off to fetch Miss Bates, Emma set to work calming her father and sister’s shared agitation.
Her mind, however, was engaged elsewhere. While William Cox was no longer in the picture, Mr. Barlowe had just entered the frame. And wasn’t that an interesting development?