“Indeed, someone has.”
* * *
Some hours later, the servants and household were in a state of buzzing commotion. The doctor had been fetched and added yet more distressing information with his announcement that Miss Celia had been murdered and that he agreed with Lord Sherborne, and Sir Owen, that it appeared as though someone had strangled her with their bare hands.
This piece of news delivered quietly, solemnly and as kindly as the doctor could muster, still served to prostrate Celia’s stepmother. She was taken away to her room as she cried and carried on and declared that Celia, even in death, brought scandal down upon them.
The doctor hurried off, he said to notify the town magistrate and the assembled party took a moment of quiet as each considered the enormity of the situation. Mandy was heartsick, for while she and her cousin had not been friends, she had always felt a bit sorry for Celia. Besides that, no one deserved to have their life ended in such a way.
Mandy looked at her brother, but he appeared as though he was at a loss for words as he stared out the window.
She turned to Sir Owen and Alfred wishing they would go, and contemplated them and their reaction to Celia’s death. It was evident to her that neither man seemed more than mildly distressed over the loss of the young woman and yet, she knew both had been interested in Celia.
Her brother, on the other hand, was very distraught, and she moved to put a comforting arm about his waist.
“We must talk about this,” Alfred announced suddenly.
“Oh, Alfred, do stop always trying to sound so dashed portentous. Why must we talk?” Mandy returned on a frown. All she wanted was to be left with her brother. If anything was to be done, it was up to them to do.
“The seriousness of the situation absolutely demands it, Amanda,” Alfred puffed up. “I don’t think your flippancy is warranted here.”
She sighed, “I understand your concerns, but our cousin has died and at the hands of a murderer. It is not for us to handle, is it? I can only imagine what poor Celia felt in her last moments. It is most distressing and I am sure when the doctor notifies the authorities it will be immediately investigated.” She sighed heavily, “Even so, I don’t think this is the moment to be throwing around unsubstantiated notions, do you? We can not know who did this or why. What we do know is our cousin has been murdered, and my brother and I need a moment to grieve,” Mandy said quietly.
“That is because you have not considered…” Sir Owen put in gently. “That Celia was not killed by some random stranger traveling through the area. How could it be? A stranger couldn’t possibly have known she would be where she was. And what was the motive? This was done by someone she knew…”
“Indeed, I quite agree,” Alfred added, cutting Sir Owen off. Without thinking it out added, “No doubt her lover.”
“Alfred!” Mandy objected somewhat shocked. “Why would a lover kill her?”
“Many reasons. Jealousy…or…” Alfred started to list suggestions.
“Oh do shut up,” Ned stuck in. “Of all the foolish notions. Jealousy? Jealousy enough to kill her? Rubbish.”
“Just a moment, Ned,” Sir Owen said softly. “I do think it is likely someone romantically involved with Celia is her murderer, although I don’t think it was jealousy that drove him.”
“Why? What would drive him then?” Mandy asked frowning up at him.
“It is as yet, unclear,” Sir Owen replied. “But I do think it unlikely that some mysterious stranger met her at the lily pond and took her life. Only do but consider. As I have already stated, how would he know she was going to be at that spot? She had little on her person to rob, and…”
Mandy turned on Alfred, cutting Sir Owen off. “Why did she write your father to meet her?”
“What?” Sir Owen answered before Alfred could. “I too received a note requesting me to meet her.”
Ned ran a hand through his fair locks, “She sent me a note as well…she wanted me to come by at six thirty. I thought it an odd hour…and then I went to the wrong location as I wasn’t sure and thought….but,” he ran a hand roughly through his blond locks. “If only I had gone to the right location…if only I had been on time, I could have stopped the villain!”
“Why ask Ned to meet her at six thirty and you and my uncle at seven? It makes no sense.” Mandy stuck in. “What did she hope to gain?”
“You were late then, Ned?” Alfred stuck in. “Saw you dash into the woods on my way up to the house.”
“Aye,” answered Ned. “I was up at the big pond on the other side of the house. Took me a few moments before I realized where she meant. I didn’t see you though…”
Alfred ignored this as he turned on Mandy, “You see, I told you he didn’t notice me. As though he would hide from me if he had.”
“Are you certain it was six thirty, you were supposed to meet her?” Sir Owen asked as he stared hard at Ned.
“Here is the note…look for yourself,” Ned said going into his pocket and coming up empty handed. His brows drew together, “Now where did I put it? I know I had it for Skippendon wanted my…and I had it in m’hand when I gave him…”
“Skippendon?” Sir Owen interrupted.