Page 81 of In the Midnight Hour

“She seemed surprised, but I’m not sure by what. I can’t decide if she knows what happened or if she, like us, is waiting for the explanation from whoever’s room that is.” They positioned themselves near the hearth and waited for everyone to arrive.

Someone entered the drawing room right away, but it wasn’t any of the female servants. It was Samuel, the taller and broader of the two footmen. “I overheard you speaking with Mrs. Babcock just now. I had just come out of the servants’ staircase.”

“Do you have something pertinent to share?” Northwood asked.

Samuel nodded, his mahogany eyes wide and clear. “I killed Sir Radnor.”

North exchanged a look of shock with Hypatia. “Why don’t you sit down and explain?” He gestured to the seating area nearest the hearth.

Samuel sat tentatively in a chair, whilst North and Hypatia sat opposite him on a settee.

“What evidence did you find?” Samuel asked, his dark brows nearly meeting.

North didn’t want to offer that information. “Something on the top floor that seems to indicate Sir Radnor was killed there. You need to tell us what happened last Friday.”

Samuel looked at Hypatia, his gaze resting on her for a moment, his features tight. He hesitated. “I’d rather not be specific.”

“You don’t need to worry about describing what happened in my presence,” Hypatia said. “I’m quite aware of what kind of man Sir Radnor was. If it’s easier for you, just focus your attention on Lord Northwood and forget that I’m here.” She gave him a warm smile that was likely meant to be encouraging.

“I was asleep.” Samuel turned his head toward North. “Cora woke me and said I needed to come help Gemma.” He blinked. “I would do anything for Gemma.” He spoke with a decisive passion.

North saw that the man cared for the maid. That was motive.

“I got up and followed Cora to Gemma’s chamber. Sir Radnor was…attacking her.” Samuel flushed. “I hit him in the head with the basin.”

“You didn’t try to just pull him away?” North asked, thinking the footman was plenty large enough to overpower Sir Radnor. He also imagined he would be so enraged if someone was assaulting the woman he cared about that he would likely try to break the man in half with his bare hands.

“I didn’t think,” Samuel blurted. “I just grabbed the nearest thing and hit him.” He looked down at the carpet. “I-I was angry. I didn’t mean to kill him.”

“What happened next? Did Sir Radnor fall to the floor?”

Samuel nodded. “We waited for him to get up, but he didn’t. Then we tried to wake him.” He lifted his head, his face now pale. “We were frightened. We didn’t know what to do. He was a baronet.”

“I understand,” Hypatia said soothingly. “What did you do once you realized he was dead?”

“We didn’t want to hang, so we thought it would be best if it looked as though Sir Radnor had an accident. I carried him to his bedchamber, and we made it look as though he fell out of bed and hit his head.” He grimaced sharply, his face forming deep lines. “I know it was wrong, but what he was doing to Gemma was wrong.” Fury twisted in his features along with fear and regret.

“That’s true,” North said. “You acted in defense of Gemma, and the magistrate will understand that. You will not hang.” At least, North didn’t think he would—and he would do everything he could to prevent it.

Samuel slumped back against the chair. “I’m so relieved.”

North wished that was the end of it. “However, you and the maids covered up the truth and tried to make it look like an accident instead of reporting the situation to the magistrate. He may find that you broke the law.”

Shooting forward so that he almost leapt from the chair, Samuel blanched. “What will happen?”

“Samuel, what are you doing?” Gemma, the maid with reddish-blonde hair and freckles, dashed into the drawing room and crouched beside his chair, taking his hand.

“I confessed to killing Sir Radnor,” he said. “It’s all right. Lord Northwood says I won’t hang.” He gave her a weak smile.

The other maid, Cora, also came in, followed by Mrs. Babcock, Mrs. Spragg, and the two young scullery maids. Maberly trailed behind.

North stood. “We only need to speak with the upstairs maids for now. Thank you.” He walked to the door, intent on closing it after everyone left.

“Do you want me to leave?” Samuel asked, still holding Gemma’s hand.

“No, not you, Samuel.” North gave him a reassuring nod.

“Come on, girls,” Mrs. Spragg said as she put her arms around the scullery maids and shepherded them out. She sent a sad glance toward Samuel before leaving.