Page 7 of Honor Unbound

“Assistance from a young, virile man would not go amiss.” Lady Mary directed her comment to Miss Murphy. “Everyone else in this house is…” She darted a glance at Jane and cleared her throat. “Well, that is to say, none of us are getting any younger.”

Jane clasped her hands together over her abdomen, her thumbs circling each other. “It’s not as though you’re just out of your leading strings, either,” she muttered.

Lady Mary lifted her chin. “Regardless, what assistance do you think you can bring to an investigation, Mr. Burton?”

He rubbed his jaw. “Well… Let’s see now.” He’d had an encounter with Bow Street Patrol in his youth. He’d been about to be shipped to the Continent and had imbibed a bit too much alcohol before the journey. But that ten-minute conversation hadn’t imparted any knowledge on how a Runner might look into a crime.

“As I said, we don’t needhim.” Miss Murphy sat back, the edges of her deep-green eyes tilting up tauntingly.

“Now that’s just hurtful, Miss.” The tales about redheaded women having sharp tongues might just be true. He shifted, wondering if the other things he’d heard about them were true, as well. And if he should be rash enough to try to discover it. He faced Lady Mary. “I’m not sure how to start, but I’ll do whatever you want. Just point me in the right direction.”

Lady Mary patted the lace cap covering her ivory hair. “Now that is exactly the attitude I appreciate most.”

Chapter Four

Marie

“We don’t need’im.” Marie fiddled with the lace edge to the gloves Lady Mary had given her. The new clothing she wore was more in keeping with lady’s companion than maid, but Marie didn’t feel any different than she had when she’d helped scrub the blood off the front steps yesterday. She adored Lady Mary for thinking she could improve her station but wasn’t sure her mistress had the right of it.

“You never know when a strong, handsome man will come in useful.” Lady Mary pressed her palm against the door to steady herself as the carriage lurched through a ditch in the road. “It’s as though young women don’t know how to enjoy nature’s gifts any longer,” she muttered.

Marie pressed her lips together. She didn’t know about all that. She’d found handsome men tended to be more trouble than they were worth. Especially when they knew they were handsome. Mr. Burton seemed to be constantly underfoot, his tall frame looming over hers when she passed him in the hallways, his large, tanned hands always there to help her with a chandelier or framed picture.

She shoved images of the man from her mind. “Don’t you think it’s too soon for a condolence call? It’s only been a day since her husband died.” The carriage slowed to a stop, and Marie looked out the window at the three-story townhouse before them. “And did we need the carriage? We could havewalked.” After all, Mr. Trent had made the journey while bleeding to death.

“There is something more formal about arriving in a carriage. People will take you more seriously than if you arrive on foot.” Lady Mary waited for Ernest to open the door and lower the steps before clambering out. “And when it comes to murder, there is no time to lose. Her husband died on my doorstep. Mrs. Trent will understand.”

Marie had her doubts, but she followed Lady Mary up the steps and waited behind her for her knock to be answered. Unfortunately, the servant who opened the door didn’t allow them admittance. “Mrs. Trent has been staying with her sister, off Russell Square.”

Lady Mary peered over the young man’s shoulder, leaning on her walking stick. “I see. And were you here the other night when Mr. Trent was attacked?”

Marie peered around the servant’s other side. There was no telltale blood path. Trent’s servants were as good as Lady Mary’s at cleaning stains.

“I was asleep, milady.” He clasped his hands behind his back.

“And the other servants…?”

“We were all asleep.” A frown crossed the man’s face. “It was very late and we weren’t expecting the master. Now if you will excuse me, I must attend to my duties.” And without even a by your leave, the door was unceremoniously shut in their faces.

“Well.” Lady Mary adjusted her hat. “Aren’t you glad we took the carriage now?” They climbed back into it, and Lady Mary instructed Ernest to drive to Bloomsbury. “You might have to ask around a bit to find Mrs. Trent’s sister, but I’ll wager Mr. Trent’s murder will be the talk of the neighborhood. It shouldn’t take long for someone to point us in the right direction.”

She was right. It only took the second person Ernest asked to point them to the correct house. A bit more modest than her sister’s, this house at least boasted friendlier servants.

“Right this way, milady.” The butler swept his arm in front of them. “Mrs. Trent is seeing callers in the Rose Room.”

A woman was just leaving as we arrived. “Take care of yourself, Annalee.”

Mrs. Trent dabbed a handkerchief beneath her eye and nodded.

The caller gave Lady Mary and Marie a curious look as she left.

Lady Mary was quick to take the vacated seat beside Mrs. Trent. “I wanted to offer you my condolences. I’m so sorry about the loss of your husband.”

“Thank you, Mrs….?”

“Lady Mary Cavindish.” Lady Mary nodded to Marie. “This is my companion, Miss Murphy. I knew your husband’s father, but more importantly—”

“My husband died at your door.” Mrs. Trent sat back, leaning away from Lady Mary. She was an attractive woman in her mid-thirties with shiny, chestnut hair and a dainty button nose.