by Dawn Brower
“I was wondering what exactly was wrong with me and went to ask him why he’d turned on me as soon as we married, determined to get an answer out of him. That was the first time I walked in on him with another man.”
“Another man?” Birdie gasped and put a hand over her mouth. “You mean, he was---“
“Yes,” Cordelia said, holding up a hand. “I prefer not to go into detail if that’s all right with you. He told me that his father had pressured him into getting married and producing an heir to the fortune, and that we only had to stay married until Lord Whittemore died.”
“At which point he would divorce her as I said,” Victor added. “Unfortunately, his father had written a provision into the will that would force them to remain married or Arthur would lose everything, and if he was to be ruined so would Cordelia. If he could find a way to divorce her, which was what I was working on, then he had promised to take care of her until she found another husband.”
“I spoke to Victor about it after I caught Arthur in the house with another man again after he promised me he would keep his lovers out of the house, and he told me everything that had been going on.” Her cheeks filled with color and Victor thought he’d never seen anything so beautiful. “I’d started having feelings for Victor before that, but once I knew he was trying to protect me it only grew stronger.” She reached for him and he took her hand, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Birdie smiling approvingly.
“Did anyone else see any of this?” The General looked closely at Cordelia. “I believe you of course, my dear, but if this goes to court you’re going to want a witness.”
“Yes,” she replied. “My lady’s maid, Patricia. In fact, she’s the one who brought it to my attention that he was having an affair while I was right downstairs. She’s a very sweet girl, very honest and dependable. She was also with me when I discovered his body.”
“If all this was going on, it seems obvious to me that one of Arthur’s lovers may have had something to do with the murder,” the General said. “I’m sure it’s crossed your mind as well. Have either of you mentioned this to the police?”
“I haven’t,” Victor said. “I didn’t want to do so without evidence, or without Cordelia’s consent. It didn’t seem my place to do so.”
“Nor have I,” Cordelia said. “Somehow I feel as if I’d be dishonoring Arthur’s memory. I know that sounds a bit silly but it’s how I feel. Not only that, I don’t want people to blame me for his indiscretions. It’s made me feel a bit like a bad wife.”
“You’re not a bad wife!” Birdie jumped up from her seat and went to hug her sister. “Poor Delia, you’ve been through so much.”
“Thank you, darling,” Cordelia said. “It means a lot to hear you say that.” She turned to the General. “Thank you too, Richard. I know this is a lot for you to hear all at once. Thank you as well for talking to the police. I’m so glad you married my sister.”
“Think nothing of it, my dear,” he said. “If there’s one thing I won’t stand for, it’s someone bullying a lady, especially a new widow.”
“Speaking of Ladies and widows,” Birdie said, looking at Victor. “Does Delia still keep her title? And will she inherit Arthur’s estate?”
“Seeing as how she and Arthur were still married at the time of his death, and that Arthur’s will specifies her as the sole beneficiary, I should say she does. It will still have to go through the proper channels but once the police finish their investigation and clear her of any wrongdoing Cordelia should inherit everything.” He smiled. “In spite of everything, he did keep his promise to take care of you.”
“What if I don’t want it?”
“It’s yours to do as you see fit with,” Victor said with a shrug. “Put it in trust for your children if you like, or donate it all to charity. Whatever you wish. You don’t have to decide right now, you have plenty of time to think it over.”
“I don’t know about you,” the General said, “but I’m quite hungry.”
“As am I,” Cordelia said. “Lunch should be ready soon. I’m not sure what’s on the menu but I did take the liberty of telling the cook that we’d have four for lunch.” Birdie grinned brightly and her face turned red.
“Perhaps five,” she said, and immediately all eyes were on her. “I was going to tell you all after the party but then everything went crazy. Now seemed like s good a time as any, though. We could all use some good news.”
“A baby? Birdie, that’s wonderful news!” Cordelia jumped up and hugged her sister tightly while Victor shook hands with the General, who looked stunned by his wife’s words.
“Good work, General,” Victor said. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” the General said, then went to his wife. She looked up at him and he put his arms around her, pulling her close. “Nothing could make me happier, my dear. The way you care for Walter with such love makes me certain you’ll be a fine mother. I simply cannot wait to grow our family with you.”
“Let’s give them some privacy,” Victor said, touching Cordelia’s arm. She nodded and followed him into the hallway. As soon as the door was closed, she turned to Victor.
“I’m sure they’re going to want to go back to Elston now,” Cordelia said. “To give the family the good news.”
“How many children does the General have?”
“Just one. A boy from his previous wife.” She smiled. “It took him a little while to get used to Birdie because she’s so young but she’s really grown on him. She’s had her challenges but she’s been an excellent mother.” Cordelia sighed. “I hope I’m able to be as good a mother someday.”
“I’m sure you will be,” Victor said, pulling her close. “Someday. If they go back to Elston, will you be all right staying here by yourself?”
“I don’t know,” Cordelia said. “This place was always too big, even with Arthur here, but now it feels like it’s haunted.” She leaned against Victor’s chest and he tightened his arms around her. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to stay here with me?”
“Aren’t you worried about what people will think of you?” For his part, Victor could care less what people thought of him. People had been saying things behind his back for years. He didn’t want to make things harder for Cordelia, though. She smiled up at him.
“I’m sure the police already have people thinking I murdered Arthur for his money. How much worse could people think of me?” The door opened behind them and the Ellisons came out, the General’s arm around Birdie’s waist. It looked like Birdie had been crying but her face was shining with happiness. Victor hoped he could one day see Cordelia like that.
“Well,” the General said with a grin. “Any word on lunch?”
Chapter 15
In spite of the shadow of the investigation hanging over Cordelia’s head, Arthur’s funeral went ahead as planned. Word of his indiscretions hadn’t gotten around to society circles the way it had been whispered in the pubs, so there were quite a few people around his grave when his casket was lowered into the earth.
If anyone thought it was unusual that Cordelia wasn’t crying much, they didn’t remark on it. She stood like a statue beside the grave, thanking people for their condolences and letting them clasp her hand before they walked away. The entire time, all she could think about was when it would be over so she could go home and work on her music. Maurice had been surprised that she wanted to keep their appointment for her next lesson but he’d agreed all the same, telling her that music would take her mind off her sadness.
Victor had been spending the night with her at the Whittemore estate so she wouldn’t feel quite so uneasy, and while no one was talking about Arthur’s affairs Cordelia had heard more than one person whisper about her as she passed in Greenley.
She knew that it was almost as improper to be seen out of her house while she was in mourning as it was to have a single man staying in the estate with her, but because Birdie and the General were also in residence the gossip was somewhat
reduced. They were set to return to Elston after the funeral, though, so the talk would surely begin in earnest once they did.
“It was a lovely funeral,” the last mourner, an older woman in a very old-fashioned black dress, was saying to Cordelia with a smile as she shook her head. “Poor Arthur. Have the police found anything out yet?”
“Not yet,” Cordelia said. “I’m sure they’ll inform me when they do.” She looked up and saw Victor talking to Birdie and the General, then turned back to the older woman.
“If you need anything at all, please let me know.” She patted Cordelia’s hand, then went in the direction of the church where her carriage was no doubt located. Cordelia watched her go, then joined Victor and her family.
“I’m glad that’s over,” Cordelia said, brushing aside the black veil that covered her face. “Is everything all right? You all look so serious.”
“It’s a funeral,” Victor said. “We’re supposed to look serious.” He had been very careful not to show any affection toward Cordelia in public. As far as the majority of people in town knew, the rumors about her and Victor were just rumors. Even when they were trying to ruin someone’s reputation, the police knew better than to spread information about a grieving widow and an attorney.
“We were just telling Victor that we need to be going back home,” Birdie said, and Cordelia was pleased to hear that she was using his first name. “Walter will be giving Miss Carroll fits by now and I want to give him the good news.”
“Of course,” Cordelia said warmly. “I’m just grateful you stayed as long as you did.”
“I wanted to stay until Mrs. Richmond was better,” Birdie said, a hint of sadness in her voice. “She’s getting good care, though, so I suppose I shouldn’t complain.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Cordelia said with a smile. “In fact, I was planning to check on her while I’m in town. She’s stronger than most women her age.”
“She’s a tough old bird, that’s for certain,” the General said. “I have no doubt she’ll live to see our child come into the world.”
“Of course she will,” Birdie said. “She’d never pass up the chance to tell me exactly how a lady would give birth.” This made both sisters laugh and Cordelia hugged her little sister.
“Take care, Birdie. I hope you’ll visit me while you’re still able.”
“Nothing’s going to keep me away from my big sister,” Birdie said. She put a hand in front of her abdomen with a grin. “I’ll be out to here and still coming to hear you play piano. They say music is very good for babies.” She linked arms with Cordelia and they walked to her carriage. The clothes they’d bought while they were staying in town were neatly packed in a trunk that was strapped to the rear, and the driver got down to open the door. The General helped his wife into the cab before getting in himself, and the driver closed the door. Birdie scooted closer to the window and leaned out. “’Bye, Delia!”
“Goodbye, darling,” Cordelia said as the driver snapped the reins and the carriage began to move forward. Birdie leaned out the window and waved to her until they were at the end of the lane, then pulled herself back inside. Cordelia watched until the carriage turned a corner and was gone, then turned to Victor.
“We should get you back to the estate,” he said, taking her gloved hands. “I know it’ll be a bit lonely without your sister and the General but you shouldn’t be seen around town too much while you’re in mourning.”
“It’s ridiculous,” Cordelia said. “My husband was having affairs all over town and I’m expected to keep myself closed in the house for a year, and wear these dreadful black dresses besides.” She sighed heavily. “I suppose I should at least keep up appearances until the investigation is finished. I can worry about what society thinks of me after that.” Victor rubbed the backs of her hands with his thumbs.
“It’s overrated,” he said. “At least in my case.” He nodded toward Cordelia’s carriage, which had a large, ornate coat of arms painted on the side. “Let’s be on our way, shall we?”
“Just a moment,” Cordelia said. “Before we go back out to the estate, can we check on Mrs. Richmond? I’d like to see how she’s doing.”
“Of course,” Victor said. He motioned for her driver to come off the carriage to open the door. “The doctor isn’t far from here. We can be there in just a few minutes.”
“I would prefer to walk, if you don’t mind.” The sky was gray but it didn’t look like rain, and Cordelia’s driver stopped where he was. Victor shrugged and the driver climbed back onto the carriage to wait for further instructions. “I’m surprised you’re not arguing with me.”
“There’s no point,” Victor said. “I’d never win.”
They walked a respectable distance apart into town, Cordelia slightly behind Victor with her head bowed. She refused to put the veil back over her face but she didn’t want people finding reasons to talk about her poorly just yet. It would come, she knew it would, but she’d made her choice and was going to have to live with it.
The doctor’s office was a small building near the police station and Cordelia avoided the eyes of the police as she walked up the steps. They hadn’t come to bother her since she’d admitted being with Victor, and as far as she knew they hadn’t bothered him either. It made her nervous.
“Lady Whittemore,” the doctor said, hurrying over as soon as he saw her. “Thank goodness you’re here. I was just trying to decide what I should do.”
“About what?” A cold knot formed in her stomach as she looked at him, then looked over her shoulder at Victor. He stepped closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Cordelia knew how it looked, but she didn’t care. Not Mrs. Richmond. It can’t be.
“Your Mrs. Richmond was doing so much better that I mentioned to her that she could return to the estate soon. She apparently took that to mean that she could leave whenever she liked.” He shook his head. “I came back from seeing Mr. Halford about his pneumonia and she was gone. Told the nurse I said she could leave.”
“That sounds like her,” Cordelia said with a sigh. “But where did she go? Do you know?”
“I’m afraid not,” the doctor said. “She told the nurse she had some unfinished business to attend to before she went back to the estate but she didn’t say where.” Cordelia looked at Victor, who was rubbing his temples.
“I have a feeling I know where she may have gone,” he said, then looked up at the doctor. “Thank you for your time, sir.”
“You’re quite welcome,” the doctor said. “I would like to recheck her in about a week if that’s all right,” he said to Cordelia. “I imagine you’ll have better luck talking her into that than I would. Also, here’s some medication.” He took a small amber bottle out of his pocket. “This is in case she has another episode.”
“What is it?” Cordelia looked at the tiny pills in the bottle and the doctor smiled.
“It’s called tri-nitrin. If she has chest pains or starts acting lightheaded, have her put one of them under her tongue. If she needs more, she can always get some here.” He handed the bottle to Cordelia. “It’s very safe.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Cordelia slipped the bottle into her pocketbook. “I’ll be sure and give them to her when I see her. She doesn’t listen to me any better than she’ll listen to you but I’m sure she’ll take these if she needs them.” She looked at Victor. “Where is it you think she’s off to?”
“Follow me,” Victor sighed. He led her out the door and to the police station, where he held the door for her. As soon as he opened it she could hear Mrs. Richmond’s voice, sharp as ever.
“No call to keep the staff up all night,” she said, anger plain in her voice. “Absolutely no call. It was rude, not to mention you frightened quite a lot of people.” They rounded the corner to find Mrs. Richmond standing in front of the police chief. She was leaning on a cane, a new addition for her, but had her finger in the chief’s face. It was something Cordelia had seen plenty of times as a child and she lo
oked at Victor.
“How did you know?”
“She passed out while she was telling off one of the officers in the servants’ quarters,” Victor said, hands on his hips. “From what you and your sister have told me, I gathered her unfinished business was probably with the police.”
“Mrs. Richmond,” Cordelia said, trying not to laugh. “What are you doing, you scared me half to death disappearing from the doctor’s.” The old woman turned to her, frowning.
“Cordelia, what are you doing here?”
“Collecting you, it seems.” She looked at the police chief, who was studying her warily. “Thank you for your time, sir. We’ll be getting out of your way now.” She held an arm out to Mrs. Richmond for her to lean on, and her longtime companion gave her a withering look.
“I can walk on my own.” She stumped past Cordelia with her cane, giving the police chief a look that clearly said she wasn’t finished with him. “Are we going back out to the estate? I’m sure there’s a lot to be taken care of. Are Bridget and General Ellison still here?”
“They left just after the funeral this morning,” Cordelia said gently. “They didn’t know when you’d be ready to leave the doctor’s.”
“That’s a shame,” Mrs. Richmond said, and she sounded as if she really meant it. Cordelia wasn’t sure if she should be the one to tell their former governess about her sister’s pregnancy but she was spared having to make the decision when Mrs. Richmond looked at Victor. “May I ask why you’re walking around town in your mourning clothes with a single man?”
“A lot has happened,” Cordelia said, her cheeks burning. There was no doubt about it, Mrs. Richmond was feeling fine. “I’ll explain it to you when we get back out to the estate.”
“You most certainly will not,” Mrs. Richmond said, stopping in her tracks. “You’ll explain it now, or I shan’t take another step.” Cordelia’s face grew redder as she felt the police officers staring at her, and she lowered her voice.