Northcott shrugged. “That’s up to the courts. If she’s as daffy as I think she is she’ll probably be sent to an institution.” He shivered. “I don’t envy her that, m’m. I’ve seen some of them places. Horrible, they are.”
Cecily tried not to imagine Caroline Blanchard locked away in a mental asylum. “What about her animals? Will they be looked after?”
“We’ll try to find them homes, m’m, though I don’t know how soon we can do that. Might be a while. At least until after Christmas.”
Cecily struggled with her good sense for a moment, then said quickly, “We can house them in the stables until they find homes. I’m sure my staff won’t mind taking care of them.”
She heard Baxter make a choking sound and ignored him. “Well, thank you for telling us all this, Sam. I suppose you’ll be on your way to London now?”
“Yes, m’m. Me and the missus will be off in the morning.” He glanced at the mantelpiece where the clock ticked away. “Well, I’d better be on my way. I don’t suppose…”
She understood at once. “I’m sure Mrs. Chubb can find you a sausage roll or two on your way out.”
“Very kind of you, I’m sure, Mrs. B.” Northcott got to his feet. “I did want to thank you, m’m, for all your help. Because of you, the missus and I can have a good Christmas holiday. She’ll be grateful to you, I know.”
“I’m glad, Sam.” Cecily waited for Baxter to get up before rising herself. “Have a very happy Christmas.”
“You, too, m’m.” He looked at Baxter. “And you, sir.”
“Likewise,” Baxter mumbled.
As the door closed behind the constable, Cecily sank onto her chair. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that’s over. Now I can focus on Christmas.”
Baxter grunted. “I can’t believe you invited a horde of cats and dogs to run all over the place. What on earth prompted you to do that?”
Cecily shrugged. “I couldn’t just leave them in the house to starve. The staff will look after them. I’ll make sure they’re not allowed in the club.”
“I should think not. Our first guests will be arriving tomorrow.”
“Including Arthur Balfour.” Cecily smiled. “Imagine having Britain’s prime minister as our guest. That should give the Pennyfoot’s reputation a boost. The maids will have a fine time fighting over who waits on him.”
“Well, let’s hope we get no more mass murderers lurking around, or we’ll be spending next Christmas alone.” He raised his chin to stare at the ceiling. “Though, come to think of it, that might be rather nice.”
She laughed. “You know you’d be bored to death.”
“After all that’s happened around here lately, boredom might be a welcome change.”
“Nonsense.” She linked her arm through his. “Come, darling. Let’s enjoy our last night of peace in our suite before the hotel is full of clamoring guests.”
They climbed the stairs together, with the scent of the glistening fir tree mingling with the aroma of nutmeg and cinnamon rising from the kitchen below.
Once more, Cecily thought, as they turned onto the landing, she had brought a villain to justice. It had been a hard-won battle, with too many missteps along the way.
Her confidence had been shaken. She felt she was losing her edge, and she wasn’t at all certain that if she were to face another villain, she’d be able to outwit him.
Right now, however, she would put all such thoughts out of her mind. It was Christmas, and she had all the time in the world to enjoy it.
Kate Kingsbury
