Social Graces

by Wendy Soliman

  ‘Yes.’ Sophia tore her gaze away from Otto, folded her hands in her lap, composed again, and nodded. ‘That was partly Connie’s problem. She was so focused upon making her mark as an actress that she failed to take into account her own needs. She did whatever was necessary to achieve her ambition,’ she added, glancing at Lord Riley as she thought about Connie’s inappropriate relationship with his father. No longer embarrassed by the lengths she was prepared to go to, simply saddened by them. ‘She was too trusting. Too willing to listen to those whom she thought had her best interests at heart. I tried to warn her…’

  Olivia, seated beside her, patted her hand. ‘I am perfectly sure that you did, and I am equally sure that she didn’t listen to a word you said. Connie lived by her own rules. She knew what she wanted, and although I didn’t know her personally I am perfectly sure that if she had her time over there is little she would change. Thwarted ambition does that to a person.’

  Sophia let out a slow breath and smiled. ‘In other words, she was stubborn. But she is not the only member of our family who can boast that particular trait, and I shall not rest until I see her killer brought to book. That, at least, is something I can do for her.’

  ‘Leave it to us,’ Otto said quietly. ‘I would not have you put yourself at risk.’

  Sophia wanted to tell him that she didn’t answer to him. But knew it would make her sound churlish when these elegant people—these comparative strangers—had been so generous with their time and attention. She made do with a slight nod but avoided making any promises to stay out of things. There were some situations that required a woman’s delicate touch, and if this proved to be one such then she would not hesitate.

  ‘The change in your sister’s circumstances would explain why the earrings were in their box,’ Otto said. ‘Woodford would like to meet you, if you feel equal to it,’ he added. ‘He says Connie often spoke of you and that he would like to be involved with the preparations for her funeral—again only if you will permit it. He correctly anticipated that your parents would want nothing to do with the affair.’

  ‘Thank you. I would like to meet the man who stole Connie’s heart and made her happy, even for such a short while.’ She shared a look between Lord Torbay and Otto. ‘Provided you are absolutely sure he told you the truth.’

  ‘As sure as we can be,’ Lord Torbay replied. ‘My instincts tell me that he was completely honest with us. I have learned to rely heavily upon instinct over the years, and it seldom fails me. However, you need not meet him until we have resolved the matter, even if we can’t prove the perpetrator’s guilt to the satisfaction of the Detective Department.’

  ‘I suppose you will see Barton again,’ Sophia said after a reflective pause, ‘but even though you know he lied to you, I doubt whether you will get him to admit it. If he works from his home and his servant is responsible for admitting people to it, she will most likely say whatever Barton tells her to and deny that Connie was there just before her death.’

  ‘Even if we can prove that she was,’ Otto said, ‘it still means nothing.’

  ‘It gives Barton a motive,’ Olivia said. ‘He was in love with Connie and she was his foremost client. He would lose the ability to control her as well as the income he derived from managing her career, and wouldn’t be able to coax her into relying upon him, perhaps even marrying him, when her career stalled.’

  ‘I would like to come with you and make his acquaintance for myself,’ Sophia said, lifting her chin in anticipation of receiving an argument. ‘Connie often spoke of him with gratitude, holding him rather than her own talent responsible for her success. I might be able to coax him into speaking indiscreetly, if I am there to remind him of my sister and let him think she revealed more than she actually did in her letters.’

  ‘I think not,’ Lord Torbay said with a distracted smile. ‘I know you are keen to see justice done but you are too emotionally involved to be able to approach the situation objectively.’

  Sophia wanted to scream with frustration, or at least raise reasoned arguments to persuade the earl that she wasn’t the hysterical female he appeared to have branded her. But before she could formulate the appropriate response, Olivia spoke.

  ‘The gentlemen can be infuriating when they take it upon themselves to be protective and to decide what is best for us fragile females,’ she said, sending her husband a wicked little smile. ‘But in this particular instance, I cannot help feeling that Jake is right, much as it pains me to admit it. It is too soon for you to sit in the same room as the man who could have murdered your sister and retain your composure, to say nothing of an open mind.’

  Sophia wanted to argue, but annoyingly she could see no obvious flaws in Olivia’s reasoning. She was still feeling delicate, her emotions raw. Her heart was splintered and she inwardly conceded that it would indeed be very hard for her to remain objective.

  ‘Anyway,’ Otto said. ‘Instead of trying to get Barton to incriminate himself with his own words we would be better advised to try and find someone who saw him at Connie’s apartment, after Chichester quit it.’

  ‘Always supposing my father didn’t beat him to it,’ Lord Riley said in a sombre tone. ‘They both had reason to be angry with Connie and I have often felt the back of the pater’s hand when he loses his temper. His feelings for Miss Saville ran deep, far deeper than they ought to have done, given the nature of their relationship. That much I know from personal observation.’ Sophia was both shocked and impressed by his maturity. Perhaps the rigid brutality of a public school education did encourage those forced to endure it to think for themselves. ‘I saw the way he looked at her when we went backstage at the theatre. It was as though no one else was in the room. But if she had tired of him, I dread to think how he would have reacted. I have no doubt that he inflicted the injury to her face because she had the temerity to reject him. I just pray to God that he didn’t also end her life.’

  Sophia’s heart went out to the young man. He clearly didn’t have a high opinion of his father, but he shouldn’t have to contemplate the possibility that he was capable of cold-blooded murder. Sophia wanted to reassure him—but she too harboured grave doubts about Chichester’s innocence, so she remained silent.

  ‘Were you able to discover why your father’s valet met with Stoker?’ Lord Torbay asked.

  Before Lord Riley could respond, Parker put his head round the door. ‘Lord Chichester’s here,’ he said. ‘What do you want me to do with him?’

  Chapter Twelve

  ‘Father? What could he possibly want? Does he know I am here?’ Lord Riley asked, looking to Otto as surprised as everyone else, but not especially concerned about his father’s unexpected arrival or his own presence in the house being discovered.

  ‘It will look to your father as though you are colluding with us against him, Riley,’ Otto said. ‘Are you sure you want him to see you here?’

  Riley shrugged. ‘If I thought him guilty and he imagines I would conceal that guilt, then he doesn’t comprehend my character at all.’

  ‘I told him you were about to dine,’ Parker said, addressing Jake. ‘I didn’t say anything about who was here,’ he added, looking directly at Riley. ‘He’s agitated and insists he won’t keep you above a minute.’

  ‘Sophia shouldn’t have to face him,’ Lady Torbay said stoutly. ‘If you receive him, Jake, and I am sure you will because you are as curious as the rest of us to know what brought him here, you should do so alone in the library.’

  ‘Thank you, Olivia,’ Sophia said, ‘but I am more than capable of being in the same room as him without telling him precisely what I think of him.’ A mirthless smile briefly graced her lips. ‘Probably. As Mr Milton just pointed out, Lord Riley is the one who will have to answer awkward questions.’

  Riley sent her a reassuring smile. ‘I am as curious to know why he has come as everyone else, Miss Larson. He felt reassured by Dowd’s visit and had no further need for Lord Torbay’s services.’

  ‘Si
nce we are of similar minds, you might as well show him in here, Parker,’ Jake said.

  Parker disappeared and came back very quickly with Lord Chichester in his wake. The latter looked red-faced and preoccupied.

  ‘Torbay, good of you to…good lord, what are you doing here, Riley?’

  Lord Riley stood, his face an unreadable mask. ‘I might ask you the same question.’

  ‘I have private business…Miss Larson,’ he said in a faint voice. ‘You must be Miss Larson. The resemblance to your sister is too marked for there to be any doubt. I did not anticipate seeing you here, either. Lady Torbay, my apologies for the intrusion. Milton,’ he added, sending Otto a brief, dismissive nod before returning his attention to his son. ‘Leave us, Riley. I need to speak with Lord Torbay alone.’

  ‘This is my house, Chichester,’ Jake said, his tone silk on steel. ‘You do not give the orders here. Riley is my guest and may stay for as long as he pleases.’

  ‘Very well.’ Chichester wisely decided not to argue the point. ‘Clearly, since Miss Larson is also here, it is safe to assume that you have been discussing Connie’s tragic death. Not that I can see why it should be any business of my son’s. However, that is what I wished to talk with you about, Torbay.’

  ‘You have our complete attention.’

  Otto, along with the rest of the men, remained standing, forming a semi-circle in front of the fire. Sophia and Olivia sat together on the right, both craning their necks to ensure they didn’t miss a single nuance.

  ‘I know I told you I didn’t need your services anymore, Torbay, but the fact of the matter is that I might have been a little hasty in that regard.’

  ‘Explain,’ Jake replied succinctly.

  ‘The police seem satisfied that I wasn’t involved, which I was not, but news of Connie’s murder is all over the newspapers and…well, one or two members at White’s gave me the cut direct this evening.’ Chichester’s cheeks flushed with humiliation. ‘That won’t do at all. Can’t have rumours of that nature sullying the family name. You have to find the guilty party so that I’m not shunned.’

  Riley let out a bitter laugh. ‘You don’t give two figs about that poor young woman. All you care about is your reputation.’

  ‘As should you,’ Chichester turned the full force of his fury upon his son. ‘If I am ostracised it will reflect upon you. Upon all my family. Think on that before you involve yourself in matters you are too young to understand.’

  ‘Oh, I understand.’ Riley’s tone rang with contempt. ‘Far better than you realise.’

  ‘I would tell you to go to the devil, Chichester,’ Jake said, ‘but for the fact that I am investigating anyway in order to help Miss Larson get to the truth. But before I agree to do anything else, you must be aware that you are our main suspect.’

  Chichester sent his son a condemning look and then nodded abruptly. ‘I can see how it must seem. To an outsider,’ he added, with another scowl in Riley’s direction.

  ‘Well then, how you answer my next questions will decide the matter. And bear in mind before you do answer that we know a great deal more than we did this time yesterday. Do I make myself clear?’

  Chichester thrust out his chest. ‘You think me a liar as well as a murderer?’

  ‘I would advise against assuming to know what I think of you. Now, are we clear?’

  ‘Crystal. What do you need to know?’ Chichester realised he had met his match and sounded placatory. But it was equally clear that he resented being presented with ultimatums.

  ‘Very well. Did you argue with Miss Saville on the morning that she died? I know that you spent the night with her and that you argued the next day. During the course of that argument, did you strike her?’

  Chichester lowered his head. ‘To my shame, I did.’

  Riley let out an angry hiss and opened his mouth, presumably to tell his father precisely what he thought of him. At a gesture from Jake he closed his mouth again and remained silent.

  ‘Why did you strike her?’ Jake asked.

  ‘She wanted to end our affair and I…well, the fact of the matter is that I couldn’t bear to let her go. I thought of everything I’d done for her. The help I’d given her, the money I’d spent on her. But the moment she no longer needed me, she wanted to cast me aside like a worn out shoe. I’m afraid I saw red and lashed out.’

  ‘Did she tell you why she wanted you to part ways? I should have thought that a protector of your stature would do her nothing but good,’ Jake said.

  ‘She didn’t go into specifics, but I got the impression there was someone else. Someone whose affections she returned. I wasn’t foolish enough to imagine that she returned mine but she was at least usually mindful of my feelings. Then she sprang this on me. I was shocked, blinded by rage and struck out, wanting to hurt her as much as she’d hurt me.’

  ‘Did you kill her?’ Jake fixed Chichester with a look of steely resolve as he awaited his answer.

  ‘No! I swear by all I hold most dear that I did not! I give you my word as a gentleman that she was alive and well when I left her. I was angry, it’s true, but I knew she would come to her senses and didn’t mean what she said. She still needed my help. I could have destroyed her career as easily as I’d built it, and I threatened to do so if she didn’t have a change of heart.’ He shook his head. ‘I did not behave well. I can quite see that now.’

  Riley snorted but remained silent.

  ‘Did she attempt to return any of your gifts?’

  ‘Yes, a pair of earrings I had recently bought her. I did not accept their return.’

  ‘Very well.’ Some of the rigidity left Jake’s stance. ‘Now, perhaps you will have the goodness to explain why your valet met with Stoker in a tavern last night and what it was that he passed to him.’

  Chichester’s head snapped up. He looked shocked. ‘You know about that?’

  ‘Obviously.’

  Chichester’s head fell forward again. ‘When I learned that Connie was dead I decided that I wanted those earrings back after all.’

  ‘Dear God!’ Riley sent his father a contemptuous look and turned away from him.

  ‘All very well for you to adopt the moral high ground,’ Chichester said to his son’s back. ‘But they cost me a small fortune. Far more than I’d ever spent on her before. I didn’t mind Connie keeping them, but since she was dead I saw no reason for her family to benefit from my largesse.’ He turned towards Sophia and inclined his head. ‘No offence.’

  Sophia found everything about him offensive, and refrained from responding.

  ‘Did Stoker return them?’ Otto asked.

  ‘No, he did not. He said they were not there. All of her jewellery was missing and he assumed Miss Larson had taken it during the course of a visit to the apartment.’

  ‘Then what did your valet give to Stoker?’ Jake asked. ‘Does he think he knows something to your detriment? Is he perhaps attempting to blackmail you?’

  ‘No, nothing of that nature. I paid him to keep a watch over Connie, if you must know. I didn’t like some of the hangers-on that followed her around. She was too soft-hearted to send them packing, so I wanted to be told if any of them overstepped the bounds.’

  ‘And Stoker would know that, even though he wasn’t in the apartment?’ Jake asked scathingly. ‘He could see through walls?’

  Chichester, still standing, shuffled his feet awkwardly. ‘He was awake on all suits and could tell me who came and went, and how long they stayed. If men came alone. Useful information of that nature.’

  Otto looked away, ashamed of the depths Chichester had sunk to because he was enamoured of a young woman whose favours he had purchased but whom he didn’t trust to keep her side of the bargain.

  ‘Assuming what he told you was the truth,’ Jake remarked casually. ‘I was less than impressed by his integrity and suspect he would tell you whatever you wanted to hear, if only to ensure your payments continued.’

  Chichester lifted one meaty shoulder. ‘Well,
that’s all water under the bridge now. I had Harper pay what I owed him, even though he hadn’t found the earrings, in return for his keeping quiet about my association with Connie.’

  ‘It’s the talk of London,’ Riley said scathingly, ‘as you have already found out to your cost. It’s bound to reach Mother’s ears.’

  Chichester made no response.

  ‘Did it occur to you to ask Stoker if he saw anyone enter Connie’s apartment after you quit it?’ Jake asked.

  Chichester rolled his eyes. ‘He says he didn’t, but he was probably in the tavern and not seeing straight.’

  ‘Very well, leave the matter with me,’ Jake said, ringing the bell for Parker to show Chichester out. ‘I will be in touch when I know more.’

  ‘Thank you. You have my gratitude.’ Chichester shook Jake’s hand and turned towards his son. ‘Are you coming home, Riley?’

  ‘No, I have been invited to dine here.’

  ‘Oh.’

  Chichester paused for a significant moment, presumably expecting the invitation to be extended to include him. When it was not, his face flushed and he muttered something beneath his breath. He then recalled his manners, took his leave of the ladies and followed Parker from the room.

  ‘Sorry about that,’ Jake said as he resumed his seat, addressing the comment to Riley.

  ‘It is I who should apologise to you,’ Riley replied. ‘He cares more about his wretched reputation than he does about finding the murderer.’

  ‘It is reasonable of him to do so,’ Otto said, ‘insofar as the court of public opinion is concerned at any rate. If it takes against him, it will destroy him more effectively than any court of law ever could. Having his freedom but being ostracised by society would crucify an innocent man.’

  ‘Always assuming he is the innocent party,’ Riley said, with a darkling glance towards the door through which his father had just left them. ‘Be that as it may, I am glad the pater called since I had been unable to discover why Harper met with Stoker. At least we have answers to that question.’