believe Scotland Yard would take an interest in the victim of a racecourse pickpocket. I hate it that the spotlight is being turned on my own staff. Why are they worrying about pickpockets when they should be looking for Everett’s killer?’
‘How much do you know about it?’
She shrugged. ‘Not much. The money Gideon lost has been recovered, from some petty thief. I said he should have reported it, but he’s so careful of my feelings. He didn’t want to spoil the day, or upset me by making a song and dance about it.’
So all she knew was that Sergeant Wilson had questioned King about the money he “lost” at the racecourse.
She leaned back and shifted one leg across the other. ‘This man, the one who had Gideon’s money, was he a gambler?’
‘Yes, so I’m told.’
‘Gideon got into trouble in Boston through his gambling. That’s why he was sent here. I employed him as a favour to my brother and I would swear he’s turned over a new leaf.’
She might be covering for King, by providing a reason why his money would be in Diamond’s possession.
I said, ‘I don’t believe there is any suggestion that Gideon was gambling.’
‘I’m glad the sergeant spoke to him privately. Gideon values my good opinion. He feels so foolish over that incident.’
Now would be the moment to tell her that the man in whose possession the money was found is dead, strangled. Like Everett. But I felt a sudden dread. She had gone through such a lot, and had been unwell. What if my frankness made her lose the baby?
I tried to make light of the situation. ‘Well I hope he doesn’t feel so foolish that he won’t be able to help you pack.’
‘Oh, he’ll come round. He has been a great help to me, though sometimes overbearingly so.’
‘In what way?’
‘Oh, all sorts of ways. He overheard me arguing with Everett. We had arrived at the stage where Everett never talked to me, not really talked. He addressed me, as if I were the board of directors, or someone he wanted to wheedle money from. Well after he overheard me saying that to Everett, Gideon took to talking to me all the time, chatting incessantly, turning himself into the Malvolio of verbiage. He dotes on me.’
I did not want to ask, but I must. ‘The baby …’
She placed her hands on her bump, and said, ‘Ah yes, the baby.’
‘Is Gideon the father?’
She gave a short laugh. ‘No. And he would not have killed Everett for me, if that’s what you are thinking. To tell you the truth, I think he’s otherwise inclined.’
‘Oh?’
Well that explained the photographs.
‘Letters that come for him are addressed to Gideon King the third. The servants have a nickname for him, Gideon King the last, which leads me to believe they know a little more about his night life than I do. But in his fashion he is faithful and doting, and now I feel guilty about his being caught up in this business.’
Did she feel guilty enough to give him an alibi for the time of Leonard Diamond’s murder, I wondered.
She looked down. ‘The funeral needs to be on a cold day, so I can wear a big coat.’
I could hear footsteps on the stairs. ‘Who does know about the baby, Philippa?’
‘My maid and my doctor know. Kate, I want to be on the other side of the Atlantic when this child is born. Just imagine if it’s a boy. He’d be in line to inherit the title. Everett’s brother will never marry. This millstone of a house and this ridiculous life would come to my son. What kind of curse is that to put on an innocent babe?’
There were sounds from the hall. I heard King’s heavy stride and his cultured Boston voice giving chapter and verse about something or other.
He put his head around the door. ‘Philippa, Mrs Shackleton. I’m resuming the inventory. Sorry to be such poor company.’
With a Cheshire cat grin, he was gone.
I was glad, because if he had killed Leonard Diamond, I did not want to be in the same room as Gideon King.
‘Philippa, do you need any help prior to the funeral? Please tell me if there’s anything I can do.’
‘Thanks, Kate. But my brother-in-law has most of the arrangements in hand. I shall be sending notes to people whom I regard as friends, including your Aunt Berta and family, and you of course.’
‘Don’t send me a note, just tell me.’
‘A week on Friday, at