Murder at Missleberry Manor

Part 3

"But of course," he said with a mock bow in her direction. Turning to Jack he grew serious. "I heard your request. For what it's worth I don't believe Bess is guilty and I will do what I can to help her."

A smile broke out on Jack's face and Freddie was quick to continue. "I can't make any guarantees mind you but I will do my best."

"I understand sir I do but thank you so much. You too Miss Allanson. I should get back, they'll be wondering where I've got to. But thank you."

Cecilia and Freddie watched Jack hurry back into the house before following at a slower pace.

"What will you do?" Cecilia asked.

He sighed and ran a hand roughly through his hair, as dark as Lizzie's was fair. "Honestly I don't know. Father's already tried to speak to the detective about her but without any other suspects or even evidence he's not interested so I suppose I'll have to find some."

They reached the door and Freddie held it open for Cecilia.

"So we're going to hunt out the real killer?" Cecilia asked incredulously.

"We are not going to do anything," said Freddie, accidentally letting the door slam behind him as he spun around to face her. "This is my family that's been drawn into this mess but you are under no obligation to get involved. In fact it's best if you stay as far away from it all as possible. If Bess didn't kill the maid that means whoever did is still here."

Although Freddie towered almost a whole foot above Cecilia and was currently glowering down at her she simply smiled sweetly back and folded her arms across her chest.

"Two heads are always better than one you know. And you won't get anywhere on your own."

"Well thank you for the vote of confidence," Freddie sputtered.

Cecilia's smile widened. "You're welcome."

Neither one moved for a long moment, they simply stared at each other. After Jack's mistaken belief that they were sweethearts Cecilia couldn't help but wonder if there was something more in the way Freddie was looking at her. But no, it was nothing but wishful thinking. A door slammed overhead reminding them where they were and Cecilia jumped back guiltily.

"If you ask me we should be looking at that Lawrence Highmore that arrived yesterday," she said.

"Why him specifically?"

A look of distaste crossed Cecilia's face. "He's a creep. He was all over me last night and then I saw him behaving the same way to Cat and at least three other guests."

A grudging smile came over Freddie's face. "You know we can't just accuse someone because you don't like them?"

Cecilia rolled her eyes. "Well I've never actually investigated a murder so I'm not entirely sure how one does go about it. That seems as good a way as any to me but I'll follow your lead."

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After a quick run upstairs for dry stockings and shoes Cecilia was finally able to make it into the dining room for breakfast. Under the ever watchful eye of half a dozen Woodworths from over the centuries she filled her plate from the selection on the sideboard before taking a seat at the long table beside Cat who was playing unenthusiastically with a half-eaten bowl of porridge.

As she began eating Cecilia couldn't help look around at the other occupants of the table with fresh eyes as Freddie's comment about the real killer still being among them rang out in her mind. Then again it wasn't likely to be anyone here. Mr and Mrs Woodworth sat at one end of the table in deep conversation, Mr Woodworth's copy of The Times left unopened beside his plate for the first time since Cecilia had been here. He looked grave while she looked simply exhausted. Next to them was Freddie, deep in thought as he ate his own breakfast. Opposite Cecilia were Mr and Mrs Hanbury themselves, pale and wan and quiet. And then there was Cat. The middle Woodworth sibling in age Cecilia knew her least of all but she knew she wasn't a murderer. Clearly the rest of the guests were getting a bit more sleep to make up for the restless night and the killer was one of them.

Mrs Woodworth leant back in her chair wearily. "I don't know how we're going to get the word out to everyone that the party's cancelled."

Mr Woodworth took her hand in his.

The clang of Cat's spoon hitting the bowl seemed amplified in the quiet room but Cat didn't notice. She was staring frantically at her mother. "But," she said. "But surely the party will still go ahead."

"It's hardly appropriate Cat," said Freddie, laying his knife and fork down on his empty plate.

"I understand that but calling off the party won't change what's happened. And Mama you've gone to so much work. Papa, what do you think?" Cat asked.

"I don't know sweetheart."

"For what it's worth," said Mrs Hanbury, with a smile that was almost more of a grimace. "I agree with Catherine. What's done is done and I would so hate for all your hard work to be in vain."

Mr Hanbury didn't look in complete agreement with his wife but remained silent.

Mrs Woodworth looked at her husband.

"Why don't we wait and see what the detective has to say when he returns this morning?" suggested Mr Woodworth.

Cat nodded as if everything was settled. "And I'm sure he'll agree there's no need to cancel it. In fact surely a party is just what we need to move past this ghastly business."

Her cheerful tone sounded awfully hollow in the sombre room.

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