when Brent was not in command of a situation.
Brent turned to have a few words with Cecilia, who had run to his side and was urging him to change before he caught a chill. Garrett offered Mr. Brent a brandy, which he accepted gratefully and drank in one swallow.
Fortified by the drink, he seemed to realize that there was one situation he was in command of. He came up to Beatrice with Cecilia trailing behind, her face full of anxiety.
“Beatrice, this is a nightmare. You should be as far from this man as possible. Come with me now.”
“No, Papa. I am staying here as Lord Belmont asked.”
“There is a real possibility that murder has been done,” Brent said, looking at Jess, accusing him with his eyes if not his words. “If you do not come with me now, I swear I will not allow you to leave home ever again.”
“Father, I am staying in this room, right here.”
Brent drew a breath to speak but Beatrice beat him to it. “You are the one making a scene. Please go change from your wet clothes.”
Cecilia’s “Please, Papa” was the last poke he needed.
“You have not heard the last of this, young lady.”
“Yes, Papa,” both girls chorused. Cecilia took his arm and walked with him to the door. They had a quiet conference there and he left the company. Cecilia came right back to her sister.
“He is angry and upset.”
“He is embarrassed,” Beatrice said.
“Bitsy, he is adamant about removing you from this—um—situation.” Cecilia did not look at him, but Jess was sure he was the “situation.”
“I don’t care what he wants. I am going to do what is right.”
“What are you talking about? Obeying your father is what is right.” Now Cecilia did look at Jess, a question in her eyes.
“I have told her the same thing. Not in so many words but I do agree with you.”
“I am as adamant as Papa, Cecilia. I am sorry you are caught in the middle.”
Cecilia threw up her hands. She must know as well as anyone how stubborn her sister could be.
Jess would wager on Beatrice to win this contest, but he was not at all sure who would be the biggest loser.
Chapter Thirty-five
LORD BELMONT AND the marquis returned to the salon just as Beatrice was thinking that they should go change for dinner. Whatever the countess had planned would probably be postponed, but she had not yet returned to tell them what to expect.
It would hardly do to continue their entertainments when one of the guests had died that very day. Not that they needed to go into mourning; after all, none of them was related to Baron Crenshaw. But it would be a gesture of respect to maintain no more than a quiet presence.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the earl began, “I thank you for your patience. I have a few questions to ask, then you may be excused to your rooms. The countess will be along shortly but she asked me to advise you that the ladies will have trays sent to their rooms. The gentlemen will gather in the small dining room, where their meal will be served.”
“A tray in our room is exactly the right thing, is it not?” Beatrice asked her sister. “The countess always knows what to do.”
“I suppose so. It has the added benefit of keeping you and Papa apart until you both calm down.”
“You mean until you can convince me to do as he wishes.”
“I hate it when the two of you are at odds. Please calm yourself.”
“I do want to be calm,” Beatrice insisted in a reasoned voice that almost hid her annoyance. “There is always the chance Papa will come to our room. Well, it won’t be the first time I have pretended a headache and gone to bed before dark.”
“If I could have your attention, please.” Lord Belmont waited until the quiet conversations stopped. “The ladies are free to leave if they wish. There is no reason to involve any of you in this discussion.”
Lady Olivia and Miss Wilson stood, and Cecilia took a step toward the door. Mrs. Wilson and Nora Kendrick did not move a muscle. That was a relief, as Beatrice had no intention of going, either.
“Before you leave, ladies, Mr. Garrett will be holding a service tomorrow before dinner if you would like to spend some time in prayer and reflection for the repose of Baron Crenshaw’s soul.”
Lord Belmont’s announcement awakened Miss Wilson from the shocked sensibility that had held her