to her death as well. But before she could say anything Nora asked, “What did you do then?”
“I ran down the steps, and saw by the way his head was bent that his neck was broken. His eyes were open, but staring without anger or any other emotion. I knew he was dead.” Tears poured from her eyes, but she was unaware of them. “I was afraid I would be ruined if I was found with the body, so I ran back to the house.”
“Have you told anyone else?” Nora asked.
Her mother, Beatrice thought.
“No,” she said firmly. “When I came back, I managed to stay calm and told Mama that I’d decided not to go to the platform, and that if Lord Crenshaw wanted to spend time with me he could do it someplace more conventional. She was annoyed, but at that point there was nothing she could do.”
She dropped her head. It was sad to see all the happiness drained from her. Katherine was a shadow of the young woman whose company she and her sister had enjoyed over the last two weeks.
“I could not live with it anymore,” she admitted. “I had to tell someone. I thought of the two of you,” she glanced at Nora and Beatrice, “since you both have been so kind to me. And Lord Jess is here because he can verify our previous conversation.”
Did she think she was going to be accused of pushing Lord Crenshaw over the edge of the platform? Beatrice supposed it could have happened that way, but it was, as she had observed at the beginning of this conversation, not at all in Katherine’s nature.
She herself might do it, Beatrice thought, to save her life or her sister’s. Nora Kendrick might, but still only to save someone else. Or to save Finch, who was clearly as important to her as any human being. Even Mrs. Wilson could probably bring herself to do it, if it meant her life or possibly her daughter’s, but Katherine herself would hesitate a moment too long.
Nora drew Beatrice’s attention, and they changed seats. The older woman took Katherine’s hands in hers, compelling Katherine to look her in the eye.
“I must tell Belmont your story, which is what I assume you intended when you invited me to hear it.”
Katherine nodded, looking relieved that she would not have to recount it again.
“I can tell you now that it will make no difference to his inquiry. You were a witness and a completely innocent party.”
“Thank you.” Katherine breathed the phrase as if finally releasing a burden that was growing increasingly difficult to bear.
“What do you want to happen now, Katherine?”
Beatrice loved the way Nora phrased that question and looked at Jess for his reaction. There was a gentle smile on his face which Beatrice read as compassion. It made her appreciate, not love, him all the more.
“Please, I beg of you. Do not tell Mama.”
“Of course not,” Nora said.
“You may rest assured that we will keep this story in confidence,” Jess said. It was the first time he had spoken, and Katherine accepted his male voice as law.
“When this is all settled, I want to go home. I want to see my old governess. She is still caring for my sisters who are not yet out. She will understand.”
They talked for a few more minutes, making plans that might not survive the hour, but Katherine was all the better for it. When the three of them left the girl, her maid had returned with tea. She had a caring air that reassured Beatrice that Katherine was in good hands.
When they were in the passage, Beatrice turned to go back to her room when Nora stopped her.
“Please. Both of you, come with me. Belmont may have some questions and your insights might prove helpful.”
Once again, Beatrice did not hesitate. But for the love of God, let her father be somewhere else on the property. He might not have Lord Crenshaw’s temper, but she did not want to make life more difficult for any of her family.
Chapter Thirty-eight
THEY FINISHED THEIR meeting with Belmont just in time to attend the service for Lord Crenshaw in Havenhall’s tiny chapel. Jess watched as the various guests and some of the staff entered and took seats in the short rows that seated four on each side of the center aisle.
The countess took the first row on the right with Destry as her escort. The row behind her was empty.
Across the aisle the Earl