“I’ll try to be at all the rehearsals from now on. That’s if Mrs. Chubb can do without me.”
“I’ll have a word with her and Mrs. Baxter. I’m sure we can arrange something to everyone’s satisfaction. Thank you, Pansy.”
“Thank you, m’m.” Pansy dipped a curtsey. “I’d better get back to the kitchen now and ask Mrs. Chubb about it.” She turned and fled before Doris could change her mind.
She still wasn’t sure how she felt about it all, but one thing she did know. All the maids were going to wish they were her, being an assistant to a famous West End performer. She couldn’t wait to tell them all.
Mrs. Chubb looked up in surprise as Pansy burst into the kitchen a few minutes later. “Goodness, child, what’s got into you? You’re not usually in such a hurry.”
“Doris has asked me to assist her with her costumes!” Pansy got the words out between gasps for breath. “Can I have time off to go to rehearsals? She said she’d ask you herself, but I thought I’d ask you first so you won’t be surprised.”
Mrs. Chubb laid her rolling pin down on the pastry board and wiped her hands on her apron. “We’re getting ready for the Christmas guests, Pansy. You know it’s a busy time for all of us.”
Now that it seemed there could be obstacles to her big chance, Pansy wanted it more than she’d ever wanted anything before. “I know, Mrs. Chubb, but I’ll try to make up for it, I really will.”
“Well, we’ll see.” Mrs. Chubb picked up her rolling pin again and began pushing it back and forth across the slab of pastry.
“There’s a rehearsal tomorrow,” Pansy said hopefully.
“I said, we’ll see.” Mrs. Chubb raised her chin. “Now go and get those tables ready for supper. With Gertie gone we’re getting behind again.”
“Yes, Mrs. Chubb.” Pansy trailed out of the kitchen, all the excitement draining out of her. Maybe it was just as well. She didn’t want to like Doris, and she had the feeling that if she was around her long enough, she’d end up liking her a lot.
Arriving at the Bellevue mansion, Cecily had to use all her powers of persuasion before the butler would allow her to enter.
At first the portly gentleman insisted that Lady Marion was indisposed and unable to rise from her bed. Lord Bellevue was tending to her and did not wish to be disturbed.
“I understand their distress over this terrible tragedy,” Cecily said, smiling at the stern face of the butler, “but I am here not only to offer condolences, but hopefully to shed some light on the matter. After all, it is in all of our best interests to find this evil killer and incarcerate him, is it not? We must stop him before he attacks again. Who knows who might be next.” She gave him a meaningful look, and saw a flash of alarm in his eyes.
He seemed to think it over, then abruptly pulled the door open wider. “Very well. If you will come this way, I will see if Lord Bellevue will speak with you.” He looked down his nose at Samuel. “You may wait in the kitchen until your mistress is ready to leave.”
Cecily opened her mouth to protest, but Samuel was too quick for her. “I prefer to wait in the carriage,” he said stiffly.
“Suit yourself.” The butler turned and headed across the wide entrance hall to a narrow passage beyond.
“Samuel, see if you can find a gardener to show you where the gamekeeper died,” Cecily whispered. “Take a good look around and see if you can see anything out of the ordinary.”
“Very well, m’m.” Samuel marched off, his head held high.
Glowering at the butler’s back, Cecily followed him to a small room off the library. Left alone, she studied the china figurines in the curio close by her chair. The delicate pieces were quite beautiful, and she was still staring at them when the butler opened the door.
“Lady Marion,” he announced, and stood aside to allow the woman to enter.
Surprised that the lord’s wife had come in the place of her husband, Cecily sprang to her feet. “Please forgive me for this intrusion, Lady Marion. If it were not for the dire circumstances I would not have disturbed you at this time.”
“I quite understand. My husband thought it better if I talk to you.” Lady Marion seemed a little pale but otherwise quite in control of her emotions. With her auburn hair and wide green eyes she was an attractive woman, regal in her stature and graceful in her movements.
“Please,” she said, taking a seat on the davenport, “tell me how I can help you. I’m told you are assisting in the investigation of this dreadful spate of crimes.”
“Yes, I am.” Cecily sat down and folded her hands in her lap. “I was hoping you could tell me more about what happened. I know it’s all terribly upsetting but-”
“It’s all right, my dear. I’ll do the best I can. I really don’t know that much, however. Harry…” Her voice broke and she took a moment to compose herself. “My gamekeeper was shooting pheasants for a dinner party I’d planned for this evening. Apparently one of the gardeners found him…” Again she paused. “Please excuse me. The shock, you know.”
“Of course.” Cecily gave her a moment, then added, “I heard he was shot with his own gun.”
“Yes, I believe he was.”
“And the gardeners saw no one lurking around the grounds? No sign of a horse, or a carriage?”
“No one.” She shuddered. “This is all so terrifying.”
Cecily could see the conversation was causing the woman some pain and hurried to bring it to an end. “Do you know if Mr. Farnsworth was acquainted with a man named Thomas Willow?”
Lady Marion seemed startled. “Thomas? Yes, of course. He made Harry’s shoes as well as my husband’s.” She shook her head. “It’s hard to believe Thomas has gone as well. He’s been a mainstay in the High Street for so many years. I never liked the man, too caustic by far, but he had his reasons. I suppose anyone would be ill-tempered trying to keep a struggling business running.” She looked up. “I understand Lester Salt is taking over for him.”
“So I heard.”
“Such a capable man, though I feel sorry for him. The poor man has inherited nothing but debts. I must say, he seemed to be handling everything quite well when I spoke to him.”
Cecily raised her eyebrows. “When was that?”
“Just the other day. He brought my husband’s new shoes.” Lady Marion frowned. “He’s all right, isn’t he? I mean, he’s not…”
“No, no. Lester is quite well as far as I know.”
“Thank goodness.” Lady Marion patted her throat. “This is all such a terrible nightmare. With everything that’s been happening, one wonders if anyone is safe. My husband has been keeping one of Harry’s shotguns by his side ever since we heard the dreadful news.”
“Did Mr. Farnsworth know Colin Mackerbee, the pig farmer?”
Lady Marion looked confused. “I don’t understand. What does any of this have to do with Harry’s murder?”
“Maybe nothing.” Cecily paused, then added, “Though there’s a possibility that all these men died by the same hand.”
Lady Marion sat up, her eyes wide with fear. “Great heavens! What kind of maniac do we have in our midst?”
Cecily did her best to reassure her. “I don’t wish to alarm you, Lady Marion. I’m quite sure that whoever killed your gamekeeper is far from here by now.”
Fanning her face with her hand, Lady Marion sank back on the davenport. “I certainly hope you are right.”
“Can you think of anyone who might have wanted to hurt Mr. Farnsworth?”
Lady Marion’s eyes filled with tears. “He was the gentlest man I know. He had the wit of a joker and the soul of a child. All those who knew him loved him. I shall miss him dreadfully.”
Something in the way she said it made Cecily wonder if the woman’s fondness for her gamekeeper went beyond a normal relationship between an employer and a member of her staff.