Stokes agreed. “That’s likely our best way forward.”
Barnaby turned to the mantelpiece and tugged the bellpull that hung beside it. When Gearing responded, Barnaby instructed the butler to convey their respects to Lady Pamela and ask if she could spare them a few minutes of her time.
CHAPTER 5
When the library door opened and Lady Pamela walked in, Penelope was standing before the chairs, waiting to guide their hostess into the comfortable armchair at the focus of the investigators’ “conversational grouping.”
Pamela looked wan and even a touch haggard. Her dark mourning gown rendered her gaunt and pale. After favoring the investigators with a severe nod, Pamela sat as directed, and Penelope sank into the chair directly facing her, with Barnaby on Penelope’s right and Stokes to her left.
Penelope opened with “Thank you for your support in our efforts to apprehend your husband’s murderer. We thought it appropriate we speak with you first and outline the questions we intend posing to your guests and to advise you that, in the circumstances, we believe it will be wise to speak with each and every guest so that none will be seen to be singled out in any way.” She clarified, “While we are in need of information, which we believe the guests can provide, we do not wish to imply that we suspect anyone of the crime.”
Pamela’s frown had been deepening, but Penelope’s last sentence gave her pause. After a moment, Pamela haughtily inclined her head. “I suppose that’s sensible.”
Smoothly, Penelope continued, “We felt that the best way to demonstrate how unthreatening our interviews will be is to put the same questions to you.” Penelope opened her eyes at her ladyship. “If you’re willing?”
Pamela clearly wasn’t eager but felt compelled to agree. “If you think it best.”
Penelope smiled understandingly. “Our first question is when did you arrive at the Grange?”
“I arrived with Monty, Vincent, and Cecilia on the Monday two weeks back. We’d been at Wyndham Castle, which, as I’m sure you’re aware, is my family’s principal seat. We often spend time there with my cousin, the marquess.”
“I see.” Penelope went on, “Shifting focus to Monday morning, when did you come downstairs?”
“I came down early, at a little before eight. I like to be there, in the dining room, on the morning of the first day of any house party to ensure the guests enjoyed a restful night and have everything they require for a pleasant stay.” Pamela added, “Cecilia came down with me. Naturally, many of the gentlemen were ahead of us and already at the table.”
“And after breakfast?” Penelope strove to keep her ladyship’s gaze on her rather than Stokes, who was taking notes. “Where did you go, and who went with you?”
“My sister and I left the table together with several of the matrons and older ladies. We went to the morning room for our usual morning coze, and Cecilia and the other young ladies went to the conservatory so that their chatter didn’t impinge on our conversations.”
“The third item on our list,” Penelope said, “is to ask where you were between nine and ten o’clock.”
“I remained in the morning room.”
“Are you aware of anyone who left the house during that time?”
Pamela frowned, then offered, “I didn’t see anyone outside, but Susan left the morning room and went for a stroll, I imagine to the rose garden. It’s a favorite haunt of hers when she’s here.”
“Excellent.” Penelope skipped their next question. They didn’t need to ask Pamela what she’d thought of her husband. “Our final query is whether you know of any reason why anyone would want to kill Monty.”
Pamela’s frown deepened. “No.” She appeared truly perplexed. “I’ve thought and thought, yet I cannot imagine why anyone would want to kill him. He was amusing in his way and, otherwise, perfectly harmless. He had to have been killed by someone who didn’t know him. A passing vagrant, an itinerant—someone of that sort.”
Penelope shared a glance with Stokes, then rose. “Thank you for indulging us, Lady Pamela.”
Pamela blinked, then hauled herself to her feet. Somewhat suspiciously, she demanded, “Is that the full sum of your questions?”
Barnaby and Stokes had risen, and Barnaby replied, “For now. Our purpose is to check if anyone saw someone we can’t account for.”
“Oh.” The comment clearly fed into her ladyship’s belief that someone unknown had ventured into the orchard and murdered her spouse. “I see.” She glanced at Penelope, who met her gaze with a look of limpid innocence. Pamela huffed. “Yes, well. If that’s all, I’ll leave you to it. I’ve told Gearing to arrange anything you wish for.”
“Thank you.” Penelope ushered Pamela to the door. “We’ll be sure to let you know if we learn anything definite from the guests.”
After Penelope had seen Pamela out, Barnaby rang for Gearing and dispatched him to invite the Earl of Leith to join them.
When Barnaby returned to the armchairs, Stokes arched a brow at him. “That’ll sound as if we’re inviting him to give us his opinion.”
Barnaby grinned and resumed his seat. “I think we can reasonably predict that curiosity over our investigation is running high, so a bland request for attendance is sufficient to bring anyone through the door.”
“Hopefully, in the right frame of mind to answer our questions,” Penelope put in. “Fully yet succinctly.”
