Looking up, Kate saw that Charlotte was waiting for her to finish. “Because,” she said slowly, “Th-there are things in my past that I am not proud of.”
Her friend came and sat beside her. “My dear, we all have things that we regret. Things that we would have done differently. However, it is pointless to dwell on them. We must concentrate on the present, and how we are going to prove you are innocent of any wrongdoing.” She tapped her chin. “To begin with, I suggest we go down to the conservatory and have a look at the body.” To Alice she added, “Yes, we shall take our supper here in the rooms. I am sure that we will want to start writing up our notes.”
Charlotte’s enthusiasm was endearing, but it would have to be nipped in the bud. At the moment, however, Kate was too drained to argue. And ghoulish as the idea sounded, it was a good suggestion. Two sharp-eyed scientists, skilled in the art of empirical observation, might very well see something that others missed.
“Very well,” agreed Kate. “I’ll bring a sketchbook.”
Whoever had come out of the conservatory last night had moved lightly and left no footsteps in the bedding of the bushes. Marco rose and brushed the bits of leaves from his trousers as he surveyed the surrounding grounds behind the conservatory. Following a straight line would only lead down to the lake. Any other direction begged the question of why the man did not use the graveled paths.
Likely there was an innocent explanation, he decided. After all, Von Seilig had still been alive at the time.
Marco was about to walk on when he heard the side door to the conservatory open and shut with a hurried click as someone stepped out from the glass-paned structure.
“Sir, might I have a word with you?”
He turned slowly. “As long as you place your hands palms up and keep them where I can see them.”
“That is not funny,” said Kate.
“You are right.” He offered his arm, though he couldn’t resist adding, “I should be safe enough, seeing as your knife is in Sir Reginald’s hands.”
“A good thing, too, or I might be tempted to…” Her words trailed off. “Look, might you sheath your sarcasm for once? I’m not really in the mood for verbal fencing, and I don’t have much time. Charlotte is examining the plantings around where Von Seilig was found, but I don’t wish to leave her alone too long.”
“I shall bite my tongue,” he murmured. Turning through an opening in the privet hedge, he chose a more secluded path. “I take it you have sought me out for some specific reason?”
“Yes.” She came to halt and crossed her arms over her chest. “I—I have a proposition to make.”
“A proposition?” He lifted a brow. “How intriguing.”
“A business proposition,” she stressed. “I have a favor to ask, and as the daughter of a merchant, I am very aware that people rarely act out of altruism. Goods and services must be bought and paid for.”
“Even more intriguing, Miss Woodbridge. You have my complete attention.”
“I…” Sunlight glinted off her lashes as she looked away. “Drat, this is not going to be easy.”
Marco quelled the urge to gather her in his arms and kiss the look of bleak uncertainty from her face. “Do go on,” he said. “I shall refrain from further comment until you are done.”
She drew a ragged breath. “Oh, hell, I have nothing to lose.” The whisper seemed more for herself than for him. “My life is already in tatters.”
“Kate…” He took an involuntary step toward her.
“No. Please.” She held up a hand. “You promised to let me finish.”
He stopped.
“I have been thinking.” Her face tightened, making her cheekbones look sharp as knife blades. Bruised shadows darkened the delicate skin beneath her eyes. “Your cousin Alessandra has hinted that you have experience in certain clandestine activities. On top of that, you are said to be skilled with a sword. And by my own observation, it is clear that you are clever, sir.”
Her sidelong glance seemed to seek a reaction and so he nodded.
“So, to get straight to the point, I need your help to discover the killer,” she said in a rush. “It’s not myself that I am worried about. It’s Charlotte. She is determined to help, and I fear she may put herself in danger by asking too many questions.”
“I—”
“Wait! Hear me out,” she exclaimed. “As I said, I’m not some dewy-eyed schoolgirl who dreams of