led out to the garden, crossing his arms over his chest.
Mrs. Chamberlain abruptly straightened, her gaze locking on him. “Your note said she fell from the balcony. How did that happen?”
“Presumably, she lost her balance.”
“Presumably? You didn’t see what happened?”
“I did not.” After Miss Whitford left, he’d gone inside and run into Baines. Thomas hadn’t intended to lie, but as he told the butler what happened, the story had simply come out that way: Thomas had been in the sitting room when he’d heard Thea make a sound, followed by glass breaking and a thud. He rushed outside to see her lying on the stones below.
“That doesn’t make sense. How could she have fallen?”
“As you know, the balcony does not have a very high railing. It’s barely two feet tall.”
“Yes, but Thea is short, like me.” Mrs. Chamberlain was about the same height as Thea and she had the same blonde hair. Unlike Thea, she was rather round, with full cheeks and small, brown eyes which reminded Thomas of her son. Gilbert Chamberlain had been arrested for extortion just prior to his wedding five days ago. As much as Thomas didn’t care for Mrs. Chamberlain, she’d been through a great deal of late, and Thomas couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
“I don’t understand how she would lose her balance.” Mrs. Chamberlain narrowed her eyes at Thomas. “This is very strange.”
It was impossible to miss the distrust in her expression and tone. Thomas’s sympathy for her began to wane. Thea had filled the woman’s head with stories of Thomas’s inadequacies—as Thea saw them—and Mrs. Chamberlain had some time ago ceased disguising her dislike for him.
“She was drunk,” he said flatly, not caring if saying so was indelicate. “You know how she can be when she imbibes.” Even worse than when she was sober, and Thea could be an absolute virago. His wife had turned out to be nothing like the young woman he’d courted. Thomas had learned firsthand how his own mother had been wooed into marriage by someone only to learn they were not who they’d seemed.
“Of course you would say that,” Mrs. Chamberlain spat. “You’re always criticizing my dear Thea.”
In truth, it was the opposite—her dear Thea was always criticizing Thomas, but he didn’t correct her. Nothing he said would change the woman’s mind about him or, more importantly, her daughter.
“You asked what happened, and I’m telling you. She’d had more glasses of port than I can count.” That much was true. He’d long ago stopped paying attention to much of anything Thea did, except where it pertained to their daughter. And when it came to Regan, Thea didn’t do much.
Mrs. Chamberlain stroked Thea’s pale face. “My poor, sweet girl.” She looked back to Thomas, her features drawn with anguish and fury. “You could have pushed her.”
He stared at her, his temper simmering. “I could have, but I didn’t.”
A flash of shock passed through her eyes. “I should notify Bow Street and have them investigate.”
Bloody hell. “It would be a waste of their time, but I’m sure you’ll do what you must.” He pushed away from the doorway and unfolded his arms. “The funeral furnisher just left. They are sending women to prepare Thea. The service and burial will be Wednesday.”
Thea’s mother gaped at him. “You planned all that without me?”
“Thea was my wife, madam. It is my duty to care for her—in death as well as life. I’ve always taken my marriage vows seriously.” He added the last and immediately regretted it. Needling her in this manner was akin to what he’d done to Thea the night before.
Was it really? Thea had pushed him first, revealing truths he’d long suspected but had never wanted to face. He shook the thought away. He was doing the best he could to keep the rage and hurt inside him under tight rein.
Mrs. Chamberlain snorted. “You’ve done no such thing. Thea has told me about every one of your indiscretions.”
Thomas wanted to ask what those could be, but what would be the point? He’d never been unfaithful to his marriage despite ample opportunity and desire. “I’ll leave you alone.” He started to go, but her voice halted him.
“I will prepare her. Where is her maid?”
“Sleeping. She was hysterical.”
Mrs. Chamberlain removed her hat and gloves. “I’ll be staying—until Wednesday. Where is Regan? I wish to see my granddaughter.”
Thomas turned to face his mother-in-law. “Not today. I won’t have her upset. She’s lost her mother, and she barely understands.”
“You can’t keep me from