The Sign of Death (Victorian Book Club Mystery 2)

They arrived at Amy’s house just in time for lunch, which was good, since they were both quite hungry. William hoped some sustenance would help ease Amy’s headache.

“Something smells good.” Amy sniffed the air, then handed her outerwear to the young lady at the door. “Thank you, Lacey.”

“I believe Cook has prepared some sort of fish for lunch. I will tell her Lord Wethington will be joining you.” Lacey hurried away, and Amy and William entered the drawing room.

“Lady Margaret, so nice to see you,” William said as he followed Amy into the room.

Lady Margaret bowed her head slightly in William’s direction. “And you as well, my lord.” She eyed them, her lips pursed. “What sort of trouble are you two getting yourselves into now?”

Amy sat on the sofa across from her aunt, William alongside her. “What makes you think we are getting into trouble?”

Her aunt waved her hand in the air. “I don’t know. There is something about the two of you together that makes me think there is some sort of discord bothering you.”

Amy glanced over at him, and he gave her a brief nod. Her aunt would find out eventually anyway, and perhaps she might have an idea or two that they hadn’t yet thought of.

“Remember I told you about William’s man of business who was found floating in the River Avon last week?”

Lady Margaret shook her head. “Yes. You did. Such a terrible thing. I remember reading about it in the newspaper, but the man was not identified.”

“Well, William and I went to the morgue, as you know. The man’s name is James Harding, and I—”

The woman’s eyes grew wide, and her hand flew to her mouth. “James?”

William and Amy looked at each other and then back at Lady Margaret. “You knew Mr. Harding?” Amy asked.

Her aunt cleared her throat, and it was obvious that she was attempting to get herself under control. “Yes. For many years.”

William was at a loss for words. Not that he knew a great deal about Lady Margaret’s life, but it was startling that she and James had been acquaintances. From her reaction to his death, perhaps more than acquaintances.

“May I ask you a question, and if it is too personal, please let me know.” William thought for a moment. “How is it you knew James?”

Lady Margaret sighed and looked out the window as she spoke. “We almost married.”

CHAPTER 11

The stunned silence was broken a few heartbeats later as Amy shook her head as if to clear her brain. “I’ve lived with you my entire life; how is it I never knew you were betrothed to Mr. Harding?”

“It was when you were quite young, so you would not have known.” Lady Margaret took in a deep breath. “It was before your mother died. I was a mere twenty years at the time. We weren’t exactly betrothed, since your father—my brother—disapproved of James.”

Lady Margaret glanced at William. “May I ask you to pour me a sherry, please?”

“Of course.” William strode across the room and poured a sherry for Lady Margaret and a brandy for himself. “Amy, would you like a sherry also?”

“After the morning we’ve had, yes, very much.”

He placed the glasses on a small tray on the sideboard and carried them to the women. Once they were all settled with their drinks, Lady Margaret continued. “James and I had planned to elope to Gretna Green, but my brother discovered our plans and stopped us. He sent me off to our family estate in Hampshire.”

Amy continued to stare at her aunt as if she didn’t know her. “Then what happened?”

Lady Margaret shrugged. “I stayed there for a while, then returned to Bath. James had moved on. He was courting another woman, and when we met, he said it was probably for the best, since Miss Daniels suited him better.”

“Did they marry?”

“Yes. But she died giving birth to their son, who didn’t survive either.”

Amy stood and crossed the distance between them and sat next to her aunt, taking her hand in hers. “He hurt you. I can tell.”

Lady Margaret patted Amy’s hand. “It was a long time ago. James and I met on occasion in town, and we were cordial to each other, but I’ve always wondered what my life would have been like if Franklin hadn’t stopped us.” She sipped her sherry, then shook her head. “And now he’s dead.”