will have all sorts of questions for your sister and she will need your support.”
“Was that other man with you the coroner? How did he arrive so quickly?”
“No, it was the land manager. The coroner has been sent for.”
“Then I need to speak with Jess, my lord, right away.” She tried to pull her arm from his.
“No, you do not, Beatrice.” His firm tone of voice left her no option until he added, “Unless you do not trust Lord Jess’s honor.”
“Of course I do. I don’t care what anyone says. He is innocent.”
That stopped the earl in his tracks. “Innocent of what?” he asked, his expression hard and not at all forgiving.
Realizing her mistake, Beatrice tried to think of something Jess could be innocent of besides Lord Crenshaw’s death.
“He was with me.” She was not going to have hysterics, so she did her best to lower her voice to a reasonable tone. “I don’t care what he tells you. He was with me for a good bit of time before Crenshaw was found dead.”
“Thank you, Miss Brent.” The earl bowed to her quite formally. “I will bear that in mind.”
“You believe me, do you not?”
“Yes, I do, Beatrice. But I am not the one who needs to be convinced. Let me see what is needed, and I will come back for you if necessary.”
Beatrice let the earl go and went back into the small salon. All the ladies were gathered there now, though the countess was not among them.
With a nod to the others, Beatrice walked over to sit next to her sister. “You’ve told them everything.” Beatrice was sure she had, given how pale Cecilia was. She wished her sister would take a little more tea with brandy.
“Yes.” Cecilia shook her head. “It was very difficult.”
Beatrice nodded and was sorry that she could not have been in two places at once. “The countess is not back yet?”
“Not that I know of.”
“That means that she and Papa are trapped somewhere by the rain, or traveling back to the house in an open cart.”
“They will be fine. The countess is not nearly as delicate as Mama was. A little rain will do no more than dampen her dress.”
Beatrice nodded. Still, it was one more thing to worry about.
They all sat in silence. The only person crying was Mrs. Wilson. Katherine Wilson sat very still, staring into some future that was entirely different than it had been a few hours ago.
“If her heart was engaged,” Cecilia whispered, “then she is behaving far more stoically than one would expect.”
“Everyone is different. But it could be that Lord Jess’s conversation with her last night has made her see things differently. As awful as his death is, it did rescue her from a difficult choice.”
“Oh, did you find Lord Jess?”
“Actually, I talked to Lord Belmont and hope that will suffice.”
“Why? What was so important?”
“I was alone with Jess before the start of the race. For quite a while, actually.”
“Beatrice! What were you doing? No, wait, don’t tell me. I do not want to know.” She covered her ears, which drew the attention of everyone else in the room.
Beatrice did not look away, well aware that this was probably the beginning of the end of her London Season. And Cecilia’s.
“THE CORONER IS in Scotland and will not be back for a month.” The land manager spoke directly to Lord Destry but his voice was loud enough for the rest of the gentlemen to hear. Jess wondered if they would have to wait for the coroner or if someone else could conduct the investigation. It was absurd to think they all must remain until he returned.
He assessed the group. Garrett was still attending to Lord Crenshaw’s spiritual needs, whatever they could be, given that the man was already dead. That left him, Belmont, and Des with drinks in hand and death very much in the room with them.
Jess tasted the wine, but then set his glass down and pushed it away. He, more than anyone, needed a clear head.
“Thank you,” Destry said to the land manager, speaking as formally as if he were seated in the House of Lords. “I would appreciate it if you would stay awhile, unless there are urgent demands on your time.”
Destry was very much in control of the situation. In fact, this was the first time Jess had ever seen him behave like a titled gentleman.
“I can remain as long as you have need of me, my lord.” The land manager moved