Page 20 of In the Midnight Hour

Harry led the jurors out, and the constable who’d been at the base of the stairs earlier followed behind them.

“You and Mr. Sheffield look exactly alike!” Mrs. Lambton’s declaration rather close to North’s ear startled him. He turned his head to see her leaning forward. She was quite close, actually. “I’d forgotten your surname was Sheffield. If I ever knew.”

“We’re twins,” North replied, perhaps unnecessarily.

Mrs. Lambton blinked. “Will it be awkward to be questioned by him?”

Miss Selby pursed her lips at her sister. “Why should it be, Martha? Mr. Sheffield is doing his duty, and Lord Northwood is providing helpful evidence. It’s not as if he’s a suspect.”

“I suppose that’s true.” Mrs. Lambton changed the topic to North’s opinion on living in the square, and he had to turn his body to keep from paining his neck. Then, as if she’d read his mind, she asked when he might be expected to visit the Pemberton Club. “I know it’s not as lofty as White’s or Brooks’s, but it’s quite elegant. The chef is magnificent. Many residents choose to dine there on Sundays. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday next.”

“I’ll do my best.” North wasn’t going to commit to anything, especially since he often dined with his family on Sundays. If all his siblings were there with their spouses, along with his eight nieces and nephews, it could be quite raucous.

Mrs. Lambton continued chattering, and North did his best to catch glimpses of Lady Cartwright, though he could only barely see her profile if she tilted her head in a certain way due to the brim of her hat. She and the gentleman next to her spoke quietly, and North would have preferred to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Lady Cartwright suddenly stood and strolled toward the back of the room. North followed her with his eyes. Then he excused himself from Mrs. Lambton and Miss Selby and vacated his seat too.

He approached her where she stood at the window, which overlooked the Marylebone High Street below. Pemberton Square was only a short five-minute walk from the Three Tuns public house.

“This is the tedious part,” he said as he reached the window.

She spared him the merest glance. “You’ve been to a great many inquests?”

“Actually, this is my first, but Harry has shared with me how they work.”

“As in Harry, your twin.” She sent him a look that was only slightly warmer than the one she’d delivered earlier.

North turned fully toward her. “Should I have mentioned that? I did say he was my brother.”

She pivoted to face him. “You don’t have to mention anything, Lord Northwood.” Turning her head, she swept away from him and made her way back to her seat.

Alluring. Charming. Enigmatic. Lady Cartwright grew more intriguing by the moment.

Leaning against the wall, North surveyed the room, his gaze fixing on the first row where the witnesses sat. To the right of North’s chair was Dr. Ellingham, and next to him sat the members of Sir Radnor’s household who’d evidently been called to testify: Maberly, Usher, Mrs. Babcock, and Amos. At the opposite end from Lady Cartwright sat a man and a woman. North had no idea who they were.

North saw Harry and the jurors walking up the street. He turned from the window and announced, “They’re on their way back.”

Those who had been milling about retook their seats. As North made his way to the back row, he noted that Mrs. Lambton had made quite a circuit. As busybodies always did.

Sitting in his chair, North settled himself against the back, eager for the inquest to begin in earnest. The man beside him turned his head toward North.

“Good morning, my lord. I’m Mr. Gilbert Wadham, Sir Radnor’s solicitor.”

North should have realized he was the solicitor. Given the information about Sir Radnor’s kin being left out of the will, his testimony would be important. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Wadham.”

North now speculated that the unknown man and woman at the end of the row might be Sir Radnor’s family. Just two people? Perhaps there were more, but they weren’t near enough to attend.

A few moments later, Harry opened the door and strode inside. The jury filed in behind him and returned to their bench. The constable closed the door and stood to the side of it.

Harry called the inquest back into order and thanked everyone for their patience. “We shall now hear from the witnesses I’ve summoned to provide testimony, beginning with the Viscount Northwood.” He met North’s gaze. “If you would please come forward and take your oath.”

Holding up the Bible he’d used to swear in the jurors, Harry recited the oath line by line and North repeated after him. Harry gestured to the chair on the side of the table.

North sat down. With his brother to his left, they might have been sitting at Brooks’s about to drink a fine madeira. Except the table wasn’t covered with linen, nor was there a footman bringing them wine.

Harry addressed the room. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that his lordship and I bear a striking resemblance. We are twin brothers, but I assure you there is no collusion between us of any kind. Lord Northwood is here as a witness, and I appreciate his time.”

The questioning that followed was thorough yet succinct. By the time North returned to his seat, he wasn’t sure how long he’d been at the table, but it had flown by. Next, Harry called Drummond, who summarized his investigation and written report, including that he’d concluded Sir Radnor had suffered an accidental fall that resulted in his death.