‘It does seem to have taken up a lot of her time,’ Salter agreed, adjusting the angle of his hat and taking the opportunity to give his left ear a good scratch. ‘You know my feelings on the subject. I take your point that the gal ain’t always to blame, but even so…’
‘Quite.’
‘Do you think one of them daughters did it?’
‘Very possibly, but I am the most interested in Miss Sutherland. She’s very full of herself and I’m frankly surprised that she seems prepared to settle for someone as relatively insignificant as Clifford Kinsley.’
‘Unless she’s actually in love with him.’
Riley waved the suggestion aside. ‘The only person that one loves is herself. My point is, there is a plethora of older gentlemen with deep pockets who are known to support the arts.’
‘Ha! Buy the girl’s affections is what you’re saying.’
‘I suppose I am. I don’t want to offend your sensibilities, Sergeant, but young ladies who select Miss Sutherland’s line of work are often willing to do just about anything to further their ambitions. The wealthy men who offer to sponsor productions in return for the object of their affections taking a starring role are well aware of it.’
‘Ha!’ Salter grunted for a second time.
Riley allowed himself the suggestion of a whimsical smile. ‘I think Stout would make a rather convincing theatre angel, don’t you?’
Salter laughed. ‘Your gentleman’s gentleman is a man of many parts.’
‘Indeed he is, Jack. He frequently surprises me.’
Their cab halted while several burly men righted an overturned coal cart. The poor overworked horse’s eyes rolled back in his head as, still harnessed to the conveyance, he struggled to remain on his feet.
‘Wait here,’ Riley abruptly told the jarvey, as he alighted from the cab and made his way over to the coal merchant. The cart was righted but sent a muddy plume of water into the air as its wheels hit the road. Riley himself was splattered. The merchant reclaimed the driving seat and lifted his whip but Riley snatched it from his hand.
‘Hey, who the devil do you think…’ The man’s words trailed off when Salter appeared at Riley’s shoulder, large and intimidating.
‘I am Chief Inspector Rochester of Scotland Yard and you are a hair’s breadth away from being arrested for animal cruelty.’
‘Here, that ain’t no arresting offence.’
‘It is if I decide to make it one. Where are you premises?’
The man looked as though he wasn’t going to reply, but a growl from Salter changed his mind. ‘Dakin’s the name,’ he said reluctantly. ‘I work from Leadenhall Yard.’
‘Go back there immediately, feed this poor animal and treat it with compassion.’ Riley looked at the horse’s matted coat, the raw welts where it had been repeatedly whipped, its protruding ribs and overgrown feet. ‘It will not work again until it’s healthy.’
‘Here, you can’t…I have a living to make, same as everyone else.’
‘I think you will find that I can and I will. Constables will be checking up on this poor creature daily, Dakin, and if he is not stabled and well fed, I will arrest you and worry about the charges later.’ Riley fixed the man with a look of firm determination. ‘Never doubt it. Now get out of here.’
‘I never did hear…’
‘Go!’
Dakin growled at Riley but had the good sense not to articulate any more of his thoughts. Several people cheered Riley’s actions, but the majority looked perplexed by this finely dressed gentleman’s concern for a coal merchant’s nag.
They rest of their journey passed without incident and when they arrived at Eaton Square, Riley’s assumption was proven correct. His mother’s carriage, two well-fed and groomed horses between the shafts, stood outside Riley’s house.
‘Thank you, Salter. I shall see you in the morning,’ Riley said, alighting from the cab. ‘My regards to Mrs Salter.’
Chapter Six
‘Uncle Riley, what a lovely surprise!’ Riley’s niece Sophia came dancing into the hallway, a vision in yellow muslin, with Simon in her arms. ‘Amelia said that we probably wouldn’t see you.’
Riley smiled at her and kissed the top of her head. He repeated the process with Simon, earning himself a gummy grin by way of reward. ‘I would never pass up an opportunity to see you, Cabbage.’
‘You’re all muddy, Uncle Riley. What have you been doing?’
Riley told her about the coal merchant and his wretched horse.
‘That’s very wicked of him,’ Sophia replied, looking outraged on behalf of the unfortunate equine. ‘Tell me where his premises are. I shall make my aunt take me there tomorrow and I will make sure that I have several carrots and an apple for the poor horse. Grandmama wouldn’t allow it, of course, but Aunt Martha won’t mind.’
‘You have a soft heart, Cabbage.’
‘You must do as well since you stood up for the horse, so I expect I take after you.’ She looked pleased by the possibility. ‘Most gentlemen wouldn’t risk getting muddy for such a reason and would have left the coalman to get on with it.’
‘There is that.’ He tugged at one of her curls. ‘We are two of a kind, you and I.’
‘Oh good. That can’t be such a bad thing.’
Riley smiled indulgently. His beloved niece still saw the world in black and white. Riley was her idol and was in her eyes without fault. Given the manner in which she had been largely neglected by parents who had been completely taken up with the health of her ailing brother, Riley wasn’t surprised that she had latched on to him; he was the only member of their family who regularly took her part. He was immensely proud of her sunny disposition and determination to embrace life and see the best in everyone.
‘Is that you, Riley?’ His mother’s imperious voice sounded from the drawing room.
‘I think we have been summoned,’ he whispered to Sophia, making her giggle. He passed his outdoor garments to Stout, spared his mud-splattered trousers a rueful glance and entered the drawing room at Sophia’s side.
Amelia sent him a sensual smile that caused the travails of the day to fall away as he absorbed its full force. He bent to kiss his wife’s cheek and then repeated the gesture with his mother.
‘We are honoured,’ Amelia said softly.
‘What have you been doing with yourself this time?’ his mother asked, sending his muddy clothing a disdainful look.
‘He rescued a poor horse from being whipped,’ Sophia said, beaming with pride.
‘I came in the hope of finding you here, Mother,’ he said, taking a chair across from the ladies and smiling at his son as he reached out a chubby fist. He swept him from Sophia’s arms and bounced him in the air, making the child gurgle.
‘You will make him sick,’ his mother said, an indulgent look in her eye.
‘Why do you sound so disapproving, Grandmamma?’ Sophia asked. ‘Simon adores being bounced by his papa. Look at him, he’s laughing.’
Riley shared an amused look with Amelia when his mother struggled to articulate her objections.
‘Why did you particularly wish to see me?’ his mother asked.
‘I am the bearer of distressing news and think it best if you hear it from me.’ He cleared his throat. ‘I regret to tell you that your friend Lady Pemberton was found dead this morning.’
‘Oh.’ His mother blinked and looked very taken aback. ‘That is sad news indeed. She seemed to be in the best of health when I saw her last, which was just last week.’
‘I assume the death is suspicious,’ Amelia said. ‘Otherwise you would not become involved.’
‘Yes.’ He sighed, handed Simon back to Sophia and stood to pour his mother a small measure of brandy. She looked very discomposed, the only emotion she would permit herself, but Riley could see that the news had affected her badly. ‘Here, Mother, drink this.’ He forced the glass upon her. ‘I apologise for oversetting you. I should have broken the news more gently.’
‘
Nonsense, Riley.’ She took a long sip of the brandy and put the glass aside. ‘When one reaches my age, one becomes accustomed to one’s peers giving up on life. It’s the natural way of things. But murder is something else altogether, and I most assuredly do not approve. I don’t know what the world is coming to, indeed I do not.’
‘It was Lady Pemberton’s birthday celebration last night,’ Riley said gently. ‘All of her family was present.’
‘And you think one of them did away with her in the expectation of inheriting?’ His mother had recovered her composure with lightning speed and Riley knew that she would berate herself in private for momentarily losing it, despite the fact that only immediate family witnessed the lapse. ‘Well, I cannot say that I am surprised.’ She folded her hands in her lap and gave a disgruntled sniff. ‘They are an avaricious lot.’
‘Your friend said as much?’
‘Not in so many words, but one learns to read between the lines.’ She paused. ‘Was there a struggle?’
‘She did not suffer, Mother, if that’s what concerns you. She was smothered in her sleep.’
‘Well, that is something,’ Sophia said, showing a great empathy that belied her tender years by gently touching her grandmother’s hand.
‘The family assumed that she had died of natural causes; that the excitement of her party had been too much for her.’
Riley’s mother gave a haughty toss of her head. ‘That is probably what they wanted you to believe and assumed they would get away with it,’ she said.
‘Doctor Hayward knew different the moment he laid eyes on her and sent for me.’
‘I was not acquainted with Lady Pemberton,’ Amelia said, ‘nor do I know any of her family, but naturally I know of her late husband by reputation. He was an intrepid explorer; a ground-breaker. I have heard him described as a man of great courage and vision.’
‘You are not missing anything by being unacquainted with her family,’ Riley’s mother said imperiously. ‘She had three daughters, all of whom were a great disappointment to her; that much I do know because she told me so herself. I would not, as you are well aware, listen to gossip.’
‘Heaven forbid,’ Riley muttered, sharing an amused glance with Sophia. ‘One of the daughters is married to a man who runs a theatre club,’ he added, returning his attention to his mother.
‘Precisely Violet’s point,’ Lady Rochester replied with another disapproving sniff.
‘Oh, what fun!’ Sophia clapped her hands. ‘I should love to mix with theatre people and pretend to be someone whom I am not.’
‘You will do no such thing,’ his grandmother replied haughtily. ‘They have loose morals.’
‘Is that a bad thing, Grandmamma?’ Sophia asked with a wide-eyed innocence that made Riley both smile and send her a warning look. Sophia’s disingenuous comments to her grandmother were, Riley had slowly come to realise, a gentle way for his clever young niece to tease her for her old-fashioned standards.
‘Do you know why Lady Pemberton objected to Pamela’s marriage so strongly?’ Riley asked.
His mother took a moment to reflect. ‘She is the eldest, and was the last to marry. Violet thought she had become desperate and latched onto Kinsley the moment he showed interest in her. There was something else, I seem to recall. Some interest on Pamela’s part that Violet greatly disapproved of, but I’m afraid that if I knew the gentleman’s name, I have forgotten it. Anyway, regarding Kinsley, only Pamela failed to see that it was her fortune that attracted him. Violet warned her but Pamela had convinced herself that she had landed a successful man who would raise her up. Violet knew better, thinking that Pamela didn’t want to be left in the family home and looked upon as her mother’s carer. Not that Violet needed anyone to take care of her. She was a strong-willed woman and, I will admit, held very firm opinions that had not moved with the times.’
Riley shared a knowing look with Amelia. It took one opinionated woman to recognise the same traits in another, he supposed.
‘Of course, Violet was proven right and Pamela finished up remaining beneath Violet’s roof with her growing family. Kinsley was unable to provide for them, and Pamela’s dowry was used to prop up his failing investment company.’
‘But Lady Pemberton’s other two daughters made equally indifferent marriages and she didn’t seem to object to them,’ Riley remarked.
‘She admitted to me that she rather liked Axton. She described him as a loveable rogue.’
Sophia, who was closely following the conversation, leaned forward. ‘Is he the gentleman with the theatre club?’ she asked.
‘He is, Cabbage,’ Riley replied.
‘He probably killed her,’ Sophia said, nodding emphatically. ‘I expect he fancies himself as a playwright and was testing out a theory.’
Riley smiled at this latest example of his niece’s lively imagination. ‘If that proves to be the case then I shall tell the world that you solved the case,’ he assured her.
Sophia beamed and clapped her hands. ‘Oh, that would be the greatest possible fun.’
‘Sophia! The victim of this despicable murder was my friend,’ Riley’s mother interjected, earning a brief glance of contrition from the girl. ‘I do know that Mavis and Susan resented Pamela still living at home and felt they were unfairly disadvantaged,’ she continued to Riley. ‘They went to Violet time and again asking for financial help but she told them a year ago that there would be no more. That they must make their own way.’
‘You are not the first person to have told me that,’ Riley said, leaning back in his chair. ‘Why had she run out of patience? I got the impression that she enjoyed holding the sway of power over them.’
‘Perhaps her funds were not inexhaustible,’ Sophia suggested.
‘Now that, Cabbage, is a very interesting possibility and one that had not occurred to me, as it most assuredly should have done. Isaac handled her affairs. I shall call and see him first thing in the morning and I dare say he will be able to enlighten me.’ He returned his attention to his mother. ‘I am told that she was very heavily involved with the charitable institution that cared for unmarried mothers. Frankly, that surprised me.’
‘She might have been formidable but she was not without compassion,’ his mother replied, a touch acerbically.
‘But why unmarried mothers? There are dozens of worthwhile causes she could have thrown her support behind. I can’t help wondering why she chose that particular one.’
‘I really couldn’t say.’ His mother looked disappointed not to know. ‘But you are right. She was a fierce supporter of that cause.’
‘Olivia is involved with that charity,’ Amelia said. ‘She might be able to enlighten you. I will call and see her tomorrow, if you like, and ask her.’
‘Don’t put yourself out, my love.’
‘It’s no trouble, really. Besides, once she and Jake hear of the murder, they are bound to be interested.’
‘Very likely.’
Riley smiled at his wife, aware that his old mentor Jake Morton, the Earl of Torbay, would probably have helpful suggestions to make if Riley ran out of ideas. It was many years since Jake had wound up his band of aristocratic vigilantes who took it upon themselves to right criminal wrongs that had been beyond the capacity of what police force had existed back then, but he still took an active interest in matters of law and order. Indeed, it was his example, and the tactful manner in which he had handled the problems his own father had landed himself with when becoming involved with an actress who was murdered, that had inspired Riley to join the newly formed Detective Department at Scotland Yard.
‘Lady Pemberton’s companion, a Miss Colby, and her friend Barlow, both supported that charity as well,’ Riley remarked, ‘and they don’t know what motivated Lady P either, so I doubt whether Olivia will. But still, ask her by all means, my love.’
Riley could sense that he’d lost his mother’s attention. She watched Sophia playing with Simon, who was a healthy, inquisitive baby, thriving
in all respects. So very different to Jasper, Sophia’s brother and heir to the Chichester marquessate. He had died before his ninth birthday, leaving Riley with the responsibility for siring the next heir, since his brother’s wife was unable to have more children.
Simon’s safe delivery and his subsequent healthy development was, Riley knew, a source of great pride and relief from his mother’s perspective, since the continuation of the family line was immensely important to her. Just looking at Simon had to be exceedingly gratifying. Riley knew that his brother Henry, the current marquess, shared that view but whether his wife Celia would ever get over her jealousy and resentment was another matter entirely. Riley didn’t have the energy to care whether she disliked him or not, but he minded very much that she still took so little interest in her own lively and charming daughter.
‘Well, Sophia, we had best take our leave,’ his mother said. ‘I am not sure your uncle should have spoken so freely about Lady Pemberton’s murder in front of you.’ She sent Riley a look of mild condemnation. ‘It’s not at all a suitable subject and likely to give you nightmares.’
‘Oh, not a bit of it, Grandmamma. I am not at all squeamish and adore the idea of wildly scandalous theatre clubs. I shall make Uncle Riley take me there after he has solved this case, which obviously he will do in no time at all.’
Riley watched his mother’s outraged reaction and Sophia’s impish smile and knew then for a certainty that Sophia had got the measure of her grandmother’s foibles. He didn’t need to worry about her. She would thrive in the cut and thrust of London society after her presentation the following season.
Death of a Matriarch (Riley Rochester Investigates Book 7) Page 7