Page 51 of In the Midnight Hour

“Thank you, Usher,” Hypatia said. “You can return to Sir Radnor now, if you like.”

“You should ask Mrs. Babcock or the maids—Jenny and Laura—about it,” Usher said.

Hypatia gave him a gentle smile. “Gemma and Cora?”

“Isn’t that what I said?” He blinked.

“Thank you, Usher,” Northwood said, and Usher traipsed from the library.

Hypatia looked at Northwood, who stood with one hand on his hip. “I’m not sure I want to further disrupt the household amidst their preparations.”

“I think we must. Where should we go to find these maids?” Northwood asked.

“Back up to the drawing room?” Hypatia suggested. “Mrs. Babcock indicated they needed to work in there.”

Northwood stood to the side of the doorway and gestured for her to precede him. “After you.”

They returned to the drawing room and were fortunate to find the two maids. They looked to be about the same age. One had dark hair, pale skin, and deep-set, grayish-blue eyes. She carried a chair from the seating area to the perimeter and set it down. The other maid had reddish-blonde hair and freckles. She paused in pushing a settee across the carpet and regarded Hypatia and North with small brown eyes, her expression wary.

“Good evening,” Hypatia said as warmly as possible. The red-haired maid looked skittish. “I can’t believe we haven’t met. I’m Lady Cartwright from next door.”

The dark-haired maid came toward them. She also appeared cautious, but she held her head a bit higher than the other maid. “I’m Cora, and this is Gemma.”

“Pardon our interruption of your duties,” Hypatia said. “We only want to ask you about Sir Radnor’s bronze dressing gown. It seems to have gone missing. Usher thought it might be waiting to be laundered?”

The two maids exchanged a look. Gemma flushed slightly. Cora met their gaze once more. “We haven’t seen it.”

Gemma seemed nervous, and that read as untrustworthy. Only because of the nature of their inquiries—they were trying to find a murderer. Perhaps she was typically anxious. Or, as Hypatia kept reasoning, perhaps she was simply upset over the death of her employer and the uncertainty that brought.

“Are you certain?” Northwood asked.

“Usher probably misplaced it,” Cora said. “He does that rather often. Would you like me to look through Sir Radnor’s chambers?”

“What’s this?” Mrs. Babcock swept in carrying a basket of cleaning supplies. She set it down near the hearth and fixed her irritated gaze on Hypatia and Northwood. “I believe I asked you not to bother my girls because they’re busy.”

“Mrs. Babcock, perhaps you’ve forgotten that Lady Cartwright will be mistress of this house,” Northwood said. His tone was kind, but Hypatia caught a thread of steel.

“Will be,” the housekeeper replied pertly. She looked at Hypatia and inclined her head. “I mean no disrespect. I’m sure you understand we are in a bit of turmoil just now.”

“Of course.” Hypatia did understand. “We only wanted to ask the maids if Sir Radnor’s missing dressing gown might be in the laundry.”

“I told you I haven’t seen it,” Mrs. Babcock said tersely. “I don’t know why you’re bothering looking for it. Who knows what Usher might have done with it.” She threw her hands up in frustration. “Now, really, I must ask that you go. If you insist on asking more questions, you can do so after tomorrow.”

“We’re sorry to have intruded,” Hypatia said. “Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Would you like me to send one of my maids over to help?”

“Mrs. Spragg said you could send Mrs. Martin over in the morning. And a scullery maid if you can spare her.”

“I certainly can. Good night, Mrs. Babcock.” Hypatia turned and departed the drawing room. Northwood followed, but they didn’t speak until they were outside.

The night was cold with a stiff breeze that shook red and orange leaves from the trees. Northwood glanced back at Sir Radnor’s house as they reached the pavement. “Mrs. Babcock was particularly surly. I found her demeanor Saturday morning to also be one of irritation. She didn’t like that I asked her to stop cleaning.” He looked over at Hypatia as they walked toward her house. “You described her as aloof. Would you also characterize her as disagreeable? I’m curious if her attitude is normal or suspicious.”

“It’s hard to say,” Hypatia replied. “I think they’re all under a great deal of stress. Their future must weigh heavily on them. I should have assured them that I don’t plan to dismiss any of them.”

“How can you say that?” he asked. “You don’t need two butlers, two housekeepers, or two cooks.”

She shrugged. “I might. Perhaps I’ll lease that house with a full complement of servants.” Hypatia hadn’t given that even a moment’s thought, actually.

He appeared skeptical, as if he also knew she hadn’t considered it.