Page 26 of In the Midnight Hour

More hushed reactions flitted through the assembly. Mr. Sheffield raised his hand high in the air. “Quiet, please.” Lowering his arm, he turned toward the jury. “Does anyone else have any questions?”

Mr. Huxley lifted his hand shoulder-height. “I do, Mr. Sheffield.”

“Go ahead,” the coroner directed.

“Dr. Ellingham, you said the walking stick would need to be wielded by someone capable of causing a death blow,” Mr. Huxley said. “What kind of person would that be?”

“Someone like you,” the physician replied. He chuckled. “I mean, someone with obvious strength.”

“A gentleman, then?” Mr. Huxley pressed.

“Probably. It depends on the person. Someone like you or Mr. Sheffield here.” The coroner narrowed his eyes slightly at the physician, who didn’t seem to notice as he kept on. “But I wouldn’t expect Mr. Usher or even Sir Radnor himself would be capable of such a blow. Unless they were very angry, I suppose.”

“Anything further?” Mr. Sheffield asked. When Mr. Huxley shook his head, the coroner glanced over the rest of the jurors before addressing the physician. “Dr. Ellingham, your conclusion regarding Sir Radnor’s death seems to have changed from when you initially visited his house the morning he was discovered. Why have you changed your opinion?”

“I make the best conclusions that I can, but ultimately, it is not my job to state whether someone died of natural causes.” He shrugged. “That is yours, Mr. Sheffield.”

Hypatia found that to be an obnoxious reply. The man was a physician.

“In the case of Sir Radnor, it seemed likeliest at first that he’d died of an accident. However, with all the information that’s come forth, I don’t believe I can make that conclusion.”

Mr. Sheffield’s eyes had narrowed slightly as Dr. Ellingham spoke, as if he were annoyed. “Dr. Ellingham, you are excused.”

As the physician returned to his seat in the first row, Hypatia met Mr. Huxley’s gaze. He gave her a small, encouraging smile. She believed he was trying to communicate that he’d asked that clarifying question about who could wield the walking stick to make a point that she couldn’t have done so. That was both comforting and terrifying, for it meant that he believed she needed defending. She had an excellent motive—if she’d known about the will—and she had the opportunity. It would be a short leap to outright accuse her of the crime.

Especially if they knew what she was hiding. Sir Radnor’s physical advances on her also provided a motive.

Hypatia’s blood chilled as Mr. Sheffield explained the next steps of the inquest. The jury would now leave the room to deliberate and would return after reaching a decision.

“It’s good everything is out in the open now,” Mr. Wadham said to Hypatia. “Are you feeling relieved?”

She resisted the urge to laugh, but not with humor. “I’ll be relieved when this is finished.”

“Will you expand your house and make it twice the size?” Mrs. Lambton asked from behind Hypatia.

She turned her head just slightly, so she could see the woman from the corner of her eye. “No.” Hypatia resituated herself on the chair and faced forward, stiffening her spine.

“You must feel incredibly flattered.” This next comment came from closer behind her, indicating Mrs. Lambton had leaned forward.

“I don’t think she wishes to speak just now,” Northwood said. He sounded agitated. Perhaps Mrs. Lambton had tread upon his last nerve.

Hypatia was glad for his interjection. Thankfully, Mrs. Lambton ceased her attempts.

It was an interminable amount of time, but truly only about half an hour before the jurors came back. They returned to the bench, and Mr. Sheffield asked Mr. Huxley to stand and deliver the verdict.

A tense silence gripped the room, and Hypatia held her breath.

Mr. Huxley addressed Mr. Sheffield. “Sir, in the matter of the death of Sir Radnor Fieldstone, the jury concludes he died by willful murder by a person or persons unknown.” He flicked a glance at Hypatia, and she felt he was once again silently communicating with her.

She exhaled with relief but knew it would be short-lived. Since there was no named murderer, the investigation would continue.

The coroner thanked the jury and concluded the inquest. Then he looked to the front row and asked that none of the witnesses who testified leave London whilst the investigation continued. Mr. Sheffield’s gaze seemed to linger most on the Clavertons—and on Hypatia.

Conversation picked up immediately as people began to leave the inquest room. Hypatia sat for a moment, wondering how she would escape without unwanted attention.

Mr. Wadham turned toward her, his brow creased. “Again, I’m sorry about the missing manuscripts. I hope Bow Street will be able to find them.”

It was odd that things were missing, particularly items Sir Radnor had designated for specific people. Except the manuscripts, but then those were incredibly valuable. Perhaps the snuffbox and necklace were also very dear. But the walking stick?