pulling her shawl closer to her body. “Are you well enough to walk to the house? I would hate for you to be rained upon. It would not do you any good after such a shock.”
“I think I am better.” Cecilia stood up and felt much restored. The freshening wind was at their back and together they hurried across the lawn to the house. Beatrice met them just as they arrived at the steps to the terrace.
“Did you win?” Beatrice asked, all smiles, until she took in their somber faces. “Is everything all right? Is the marquis all right?”
“William is fine, but Lord Crenshaw is dead,” Cecilia said bluntly. She explained how the baron had been found and that the men were still at the scene. It began to rain as she finished her story. She ended with, “The coroner has been sent for,” as they all hurried to the side door.
“Why the coroner? He only comes if it is thought to be other than an accident,” Beatrice said, concern more than curiosity coloring her words.
“The marquis sent for him,” Mrs. Kendrick said, which really did not answer the question.
“The men are still at the banqueting platform? Is Jess with them, too?” Beatrice asked, pressing her lips together.
“I don’t know. I have not seen him at all today,” Ceci said. “Have you, Mrs. Kendrick?”
“He was with the other gentlemen. Lord Destry said he came walking up from the river.”
They fell silent as the footman opened the door for them.
“What can we do? What should we do?” Beatrice asked.
“I’m sure Mr. Garrett has some experience with this sort of thing.” Mrs. Kendrick spoke with a conviction that surprised Cecilia.
“He has known people who have been murdered?” Beatrice asked, amazed at the idea.
“He was not always a vicar,” Mrs. Kendrick explained. “He fought Napoleon, and not in the conventional way.”
Is everyone but me extraordinary in some way? Cecilia wondered.
The housekeeper met them in the passage and urged them into one of the small salons. A fire had been lit, and Cecilia warmed her hands in front of it, surprised at how cold they were despite the relative warmth of the August day.
One of the maids bustled in with tea and sweets. There was a bottle of brandy on the tray and Mrs. Kendrick insisted on adding a drop to Cecilia’s tea. “She is upset. Finding Lord Crenshaw reminded her of your brother.”
“Of course it did.” Beatrice sat on the sofa next to her sister and hugged her.
After holding herself together all day, Cecilia at last began to cry. “Lord Crenshaw was not a very nice man, but I did not wish him dead. And what if it was murder? Who would want to kill him?” Her words were compromised by tears, but she felt her sister stiffen beside her.
Beatrice stood up. “Can you stay with her, Mrs. Kendrick? I need to find Jess. I will be back as soon as I can.”
“He’s with the other gentlemen and it’s raining, Beatrice.”
“I will take an umbrella.” She shook out her skirts and made for the door.
“Beatrice, this is carrying your curiosity entirely too far,” Cecilia insisted. “It is not seemly for you—” There was no point in even finishing the sentence—Beatrice was already gone.
Chapter Thirty-four
AS BEATRICE HURRIED across the lawn, she saw the party of gentlemen crossing toward her. Jess was with Lord Belmont, the marquis, Mr. Garrett, and a gentleman she did not recognize. Could the coroner have arrived already?
Please no, not before she had the chance to talk to Jess.
Jess saw her first. Beatrice was not sure what she expected. Not a loving greeting, but surely not the distress that caused him to rub his brow and squeeze his eyes shut for a moment. Just as quickly he was himself again, at the back of the group, with a noncommittal expression on his face.
“Miss Brent, there is no need for you to be out in the rain.” Lord Belmont took her arm in a more forceful gesture than usual and she had no choice but to turn and allow him to escort her back to the house.
“I want to speak with Lord Jessup.” Beatrice decided that a direct approach was best.
“In a while. I want you to go inside, find Nora and your sister, and stay with them for now.” As he told her what he expected, he escorted her one way and the others headed in the opposite direction. “Miss Wilson and her mother will join you, I am sure. They