Read Online Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Amanda Quick
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that not correct, Dr. Hughes?”
“Indeed.” Hughes cleared his throat and made an attempt to sit a little taller in his chair. “I have examined the body,” he announced gravely. “There is no doubt in my mind that Fullerton was the victim of an accident.”
Tobias swore silently to himself. It was clear that Beaumont had decided to close the door on the subject of Fullerton’s accident as swiftly as possible. He would not welcome any suggestion of murder.
Lavinia’s brows snapped together. “Sir, Mr. March and I suspect that this
willing wench,
whoever she is, deliberately lured Fullerton up to the roof. We must see if there is anyone who can identify her.”
Beaumont beetled his brows at Drum.
The butler assumed an impassive air. “As his lordship has indicated, the maid was likely one of the village girls taken on temporarily. She no doubt panicked when Lord Fullerton suffered his unfortunate accident and fled the castle before she could be questioned. She certainly had every incentive to disappear. After all, if word spread locally that she had been caught entertaining a gentleman alone on the roof, she would have an extremely difficult task finding other employment in the neighborhood.”
“It is also possible that she is still right here in the castle,” Lavinia said forcefully. “We must assemble the entire staff as well as the guests and question them.”
Beaumont turned red. His mouth opened and closed several times before he finally managed to speak. “Question the guests? Are you mad, Mrs. Lake? You will do no such thing. I forbid it.”
“Sir, we may be talking about a matter of murder.”
“
Fullerton was not murdered.
It was an accident.”
“We have every reason to think—”
“Think what you wish, Mrs. Lake. But this is my house and I will not allow my guests to be inconvenienced any more than they have been already.”
This approach would gain them nothing, Tobias thought. He looked at Beaumont. “You agree that Fullerton was with a woman shortly before he fell but you do not think she had anything to do with his death?”
“The man was in his cups.” Beaumont took a hefty swallow of his brandy and lowered the glass. “He lost his balance. That is the end of the matter. A great tragedy, but certainly not a case of murder.”
It was a pity that Beaumont had recovered from his earlier confusion and had acquired allies in the shape of his butler and the local doctor, Tobias thought. The situation was back under control so far as his lordship was concerned and he had reasserted his authority. One could hardly blame him for not wanting to acknowledge the scandalous possibility of murder. That sort of gossip could hang around for a very long time.
“Sir,” Tobias said evenly, “allow me to tell you that in my professional opinion there are a number of questions relating to this affair that should be answered. With your permission, I would like to continue my inquiries into the matter.”
“That is quite impossible, March.” Beaumont slapped his palms flat on the desk and surged to his feet. “This has gone far enough. There has already been entirely too much disruption in the household. Lady Beaumont is extremely overset.”
Lavinia tapped one toe on the carpet. Tobias could see the fulminating expression in her eyes. He tried to signal her but she ignored his silent warning.
“Lady Beaumont’s concerns are quite understandable, sir,” she said briskly, “but as we have just explained, we may well be dealing with a matter of murder. Surely, under the circumstances, a few discreet questions are warranted. They will pose no great inconvenience to your guests.”
“For the last time, I have determined that this is not a matter of murder.” Beaumont bristled. “And I will be the judge of what constitutes an inconvenience to my guests, madam.”
“Sir, I really must insist that you allow us to investigate,” Lavinia said. “I assure you that we have had
“Indeed.” Hughes cleared his throat and made an attempt to sit a little taller in his chair. “I have examined the body,” he announced gravely. “There is no doubt in my mind that Fullerton was the victim of an accident.”
Tobias swore silently to himself. It was clear that Beaumont had decided to close the door on the subject of Fullerton’s accident as swiftly as possible. He would not welcome any suggestion of murder.
Lavinia’s brows snapped together. “Sir, Mr. March and I suspect that this
willing wench,
whoever she is, deliberately lured Fullerton up to the roof. We must see if there is anyone who can identify her.”
Beaumont beetled his brows at Drum.
The butler assumed an impassive air. “As his lordship has indicated, the maid was likely one of the village girls taken on temporarily. She no doubt panicked when Lord Fullerton suffered his unfortunate accident and fled the castle before she could be questioned. She certainly had every incentive to disappear. After all, if word spread locally that she had been caught entertaining a gentleman alone on the roof, she would have an extremely difficult task finding other employment in the neighborhood.”
“It is also possible that she is still right here in the castle,” Lavinia said forcefully. “We must assemble the entire staff as well as the guests and question them.”
Beaumont turned red. His mouth opened and closed several times before he finally managed to speak. “Question the guests? Are you mad, Mrs. Lake? You will do no such thing. I forbid it.”
“Sir, we may be talking about a matter of murder.”
“
Fullerton was not murdered.
It was an accident.”
“We have every reason to think—”
“Think what you wish, Mrs. Lake. But this is my house and I will not allow my guests to be inconvenienced any more than they have been already.”
This approach would gain them nothing, Tobias thought. He looked at Beaumont. “You agree that Fullerton was with a woman shortly before he fell but you do not think she had anything to do with his death?”
“The man was in his cups.” Beaumont took a hefty swallow of his brandy and lowered the glass. “He lost his balance. That is the end of the matter. A great tragedy, but certainly not a case of murder.”
It was a pity that Beaumont had recovered from his earlier confusion and had acquired allies in the shape of his butler and the local doctor, Tobias thought. The situation was back under control so far as his lordship was concerned and he had reasserted his authority. One could hardly blame him for not wanting to acknowledge the scandalous possibility of murder. That sort of gossip could hang around for a very long time.
“Sir,” Tobias said evenly, “allow me to tell you that in my professional opinion there are a number of questions relating to this affair that should be answered. With your permission, I would like to continue my inquiries into the matter.”
“That is quite impossible, March.” Beaumont slapped his palms flat on the desk and surged to his feet. “This has gone far enough. There has already been entirely too much disruption in the household. Lady Beaumont is extremely overset.”
Lavinia tapped one toe on the carpet. Tobias could see the fulminating expression in her eyes. He tried to signal her but she ignored his silent warning.
“Lady Beaumont’s concerns are quite understandable, sir,” she said briskly, “but as we have just explained, we may well be dealing with a matter of murder. Surely, under the circumstances, a few discreet questions are warranted. They will pose no great inconvenience to your guests.”
“For the last time, I have determined that this is not a matter of murder.” Beaumont bristled. “And I will be the judge of what constitutes an inconvenience to my guests, madam.”
“Sir, I really must insist that you allow us to investigate,” Lavinia said. “I assure you that we have had
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