The Bet

d to stay together and keep our eyes and ears open.”

“Are you two going to join us this evening or are you going to stand there whispering all night?” Beatrice called impatiently.

Myles sighed. “Just let me know if you want to go to your bedchamber and I will escort you, alright?”

His fingers squeezed hers when she didn’t immediately answer. Her eyes met his again. She smiled softly.

“Alright.” She knew she would allow Myles to escort her anywhere, just as long as she could see him and know that he was alright.

Holding his arm out to her, Myles placed her hand on his forearm and led her toward a chair before the fireplace. He ignored Beatrice’s muttering and waited until Estelle was seated before he took up position in front of the fireplace and looked at each person in turn.

A nervous silence fell over the room, this time watchful and wary. Vernon’s lips continued to move but not a sound came out. Eva, still oblivious to the world at large, remained lost in her embroidery. Everyone else remained tense and watchful as they waited.

“Well?” Beatrice demanded impatiently.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Nothing.” Myles ignored Beatrice’s disgruntled look and shook his head at Isaac. “They all have alibis. Because of the weather, everybody has been working in or around the kitchens and in sight of other people. The only time the maids have been alone is when they have lit the fires first thing this morning. They are adamant that everyone was fast asleep when they saw them last.”

When Isaac snorted a protest, Barnabas glared at him.

“These maids have been with me for several years. We have all been together under this roof for a long time, even when the moat has been unpassable. If any of them wanted to kill us they wouldn’t be likely to wait several years to do so. It doesn’t make sense.”

“So, you are saying that the killer is one of us?” Beatrice snapped.

“The facts speak for themselves, don’t they? I mean, everyone in the family has something to gain.” He lifted a hand up when Beatrice opened her mouth to object to the accusation. “Because of that, I am going to ask each of us where we have been this morning. In light of the dangers that surround us all it would be prudent to be honest.”

“Estelle,” Myles began. He paused when she turned to look at him. Deep inside, in a place he would never own to having, he was immediately denying she could possibly be responsible. “Where were you this morning?”

“Well, in my room,” she replied. “There was a maid there, Bobbi, when I woke up. She had been watching over me all night.”

Myles nodded, he knew already because Bobbi had told him. “She didn’t see or hear anything unusual,” he reported.

“When you left your room, did you walk the hallway alone?” Barnabas interrupted.

“No. Well, yes.” Estelle realised she was doing herself no favours and sighed. “I left the room and made my way to the main staircase so I was alone while I walked down the corridor for a few seconds. When I reached the top of the stairs, I ran into Isaac who was coming from the opposite side of the house. We met and introduced ourselves and then came downstairs for breakfast. I had no idea where I was going, you see?”

Myles nodded, relieved to be able to cross Estelle off the list of suspects.

“That’s right,” Isaac confirmed with a nod.

“Did either of you leave the breakfast room at all?” Myles asked.

Both Isaac and Estelle shook their heads. Myles and Barnabas knew they were telling the truth because the footmen had confirmed that neither of them had left the table.

“What about you, Isaac? Did you see anybody else in the hallway this morning?”

Isaac shook his head. “I got up, came down to breakfast, but ran into Estelle on my way. Besides, I wouldn’t murder my own father.”

Barnabas snorted. “Why not? You were always tapping him up for money, and always sniping about him. You also know that you are the main beneficiary of the estate, and wealth, on his demise. It stands to reason that out of everybody you have the most to gain from your father’s death.”

Isaac scowled at Barnabas, all trace of his usual affability gone. Instead, he looked like someone who could only be described as calculating. He levelled a look on Barnabas that was menacing, and would have worried the elder man if it were not for the other occupants of the room watching closely.

“I am not listening to this,” Isaac hissed. “I have not killed my father.”

Myles looked away, his attention drawn to his uncle, Vernon.

“Where were you this morning? I didn’t hear your harp as usual,” he said.