Page 69 of In the Midnight Hour

After sipping her tea, she set the cup back in the saucer. She pressed her lips together, her gaze bitterly hard. “My reputation has already suffered—perhaps irrevocably. As soon as people hear that Sir Radnor made advances on me, they’ll blame me, even though it was entirely one-sided. I will be cast as the temptress, the loose widow who never should have befriended Sir Radnor or gone to his house for dinner and literary conversation.”

North wanted to argue, but she was right. Most people would blame her despite Sir Radnor’s lecherous nature, which they would prove, hopefully starting with Mrs. Jennings. “Why didn’t you tell Drummond about Mrs. Jennings?”

“I preferred to keep that information between us for now. At least until we learn what she has to say.”

“I would have done the same.”

She inclined her head. “I’m glad you agree.” She sipped her tea and settled back in her chair.

North was glad to see her more at ease. “You really were spectacular in the interview. You argued your innocence extremely well—with logic and intellect. I have to think you gave Drummond much to consider.”

“Since he left without arresting me, I took it as a success.”

“Did he indicate what he would do next?”

She shook her head. “Not specifically. Only that the investigation would continue.”

“Does that make you nervous?”

“No more than before.” Her lips curved into a small smile. “I felt much better after the interview. It was invigorating to take an offensive position.”

“It was genius, and I’m delighted I was able to hear it. The only thing better would have been to see Drummond’s face.” North leaned forward eagerly. “How did he react when you pointed out your distinct lack of interest or need in Sir Radnor’s fortune?”

Her eyes sparkled, and North was enchanted. “He was displeased. But he also seemed to register that I made a valid point.” She abruptly stood. “I’m ready to go.”

North rose and she preceded him from the drawing room. He was inordinately glad that Drummond had interviewed her here instead of at Marlborough Street. How could he have eavesdropped there?

He hoped Hypatia had done enough to cast doubt on Drummond’s investigation of her as Sir Radnor’s killer. Even if she hadn’t, it didn’t matter, for they were going to discover the murderer.

Hypatia’s coach came to a stop in front of a fairly new, very smart terrace in Brompton Crescent. She looked across the coach at Northwood on the opposite seat.

He was watching her expectantly. “Ready?”

“Quite.”

Trigg, a particularly spry fellow at sixty years, opened the door. Whilst the coachman still possessed a rather youthful, athletic frame, his features were deeply lined, particularly around his mouth. Trigg smiled a great deal, which was just one of the reasons Hypatia was grateful for his continued service. He’d stayed with her after her husband had passed.

She stepped down to the pavement with Trigg’s assistance, and Northwood followed her. He walked beside her up the steps that led to Mrs. Jennings’ door.

A woman in a simple dark blue gown, perhaps the housekeeper, answered the door. She did not wear a cap over her gray-brown hair.

“Good afternoon.” Hypatia handed the woman her card, which she hadn’t thought to do at Mr. Killingsworth’s earlier, and Northwood did the same. “We’d like to speak with Mrs. Jennings about an important and rather urgent matter.”

“You’re from Pemberton Square,” the woman said, looking up from the cards at them.

“Yes,” Northwood replied.

“I believe you may know my housekeeper, Mrs. Goss,” Hypatia said, taking the chance that this woman was, in fact, the housekeeper.

The woman brightened. “I do indeed. How delightful to make your acquaintance, Lady Cartwright. I wasn’t going to say I know your housekeeper, so I’m glad you did. Please come in whilst I see if Mrs. Jennings is receiving.”

They stepped into the entrance hall where a round, dark red and blue Aubusson carpet covered the Portland stone. At the back, a staircase climbed to the first floor. The housekeeper disappeared up the stairs.

Northwood turned to Hypatia. “Her comment about Pemberton Square almost felt like a mark against us. Until you mentioned Mrs. Goss.”

“I heard that too, which is why I made sure to mention the connection to my household. Though, she clearly recognized my name. Which makes sense because she and Mrs. Goss exchange letters.”

The housekeeper returned. “Come with me.” She led them up the stone staircase and into the drawing room at the front of the house. “Mrs. Jennings will be with you presently.”