it some thought before she answered. “There is nothing to suggest that the murder was committed by someone other than the Commandments Killer. But we haven’t been able to rule out some local motive to kill Mr. Jones either.”
“What of the rest of the houseguests?” Caro asked. “Might one of them have had a quarrel with Jones?”
“Nothing’s been discovered so far,” Kate said. Then she went on to describe in detail each of the houseguests Val had invited to Thornfield for the week. When she got to the Bartons, her friend made a face.
“I don’t particularly mind the Americans coming here to buy titled husbands for their daughters—most of the noblemen I’ve met are weak-chinned old roués without two thoughts in their heads to rub together—but I do wish they’d send better examples of their own stock. This Barton fellow sounds positively dreadful.”
“I didn’t have a very good impression of his daughter at first,” Kate said thoughtfully. “She seemed an insipid creature, if I’m honest. But I think perhaps she’s not so bad as I’d thought. Genevieve seems to have made a friend of her anyway, and I think she’s not a bad judge of character.”
“What of the pugilist? I suppose that’s Valentine trying to thrust another of his protégés upon society.” Caro wrinkled her nose as if she’d smelled something bad. “Lord knows we need some new blood in the mix. But I’m not sure it’s always the best thing for them. It can’t be easy to be gawped at like a zoo animal every time one attends a social function. That’s what debutantes are for.”
Caro had never quite recovered from having been forced into a season by her mother.
Kate gave a soft laugh. “I think Jim Hyde will fare well enough if he decides to allow Val to introduce him in society. Though I’m not sure that’s a given just yet. This was just an opportunity for him to get more comfortable in polite company. And since Val is writing the man’s biography, I suspect he’s preparing the poor fellow in case he’s asked to lecture. It will be much better for him if he’s got a bit of experience with the odd rituals of the middle and upper classes before he’s thrust into the thick of it.”
“I suppose that makes some sense.” Caro’s response seemed subdued, but Kate was sure that had more to do with Val’s involvement in the scheme than with Jim Hyde.
“The rest of the guests are of a certain type,” Kate continued. “Of course, you’ll recall the scandal surrounding the Egglestons’ marriage. She might behave as if she’s above reproach, but transferring one’s affections from one’s fiancé to his brother is enough to mark one’s reputation for life. And Mr. Reeve Thompson, while innocuous enough, isn’t precisely the highest of society. I very much suspect Val chose this combination of guests from those who wouldn’t cut up rough about being in the same house as someone like Mr. Hyde.”
“I’m not sure whether that’s a slight against yourself or not.” Caro raised a brow. “Though I suppose you are good enough friends with Lord Valentine that he knew you were unlikely to decline his invitation for snobbish reasons.”
“Just so.” Kate could be accused of many things, but snobbery wasn’t one of them.
The conversation lulled and Caro stretched. “I must say, you’ve had quite a busy several days since you left London. I knew you’d be thinking over the future of the column, but I supposed you’d have some time to observe the beauty of nature and perhaps enjoy some stimulating conversation.”
She pursed her lips. “Instead you’ve discovered a dead body, dodged the advances of a boorish American, and been forced to endure the company of a man who blames you for the downfall of his career. Whoever said the country was more restful than town has never been to Lewiston.”
“There certainly hasn’t been much time for reflection.” Kate smiled ruefully. “And now that you’re here, there should be even less.”
“I do have that effect on a party.” Caro grinned impishly.
Then her gaze turned speculative and Kate braced herself for an inquisition.
“I thought you said Eversham was angry with you in London. He didn’t seem angry today.” It wasn’t a question, merely a statement of what Caro saw as fact.
“Do not imagine there is more between us than is there, I beg of you.” Kate might find the detective handsome, but that didn’t mean anything. “I am conducting my own investigation in an effort to