The Cater Street Hangman - Anne Perry [47]
“You are quite right,” she agreed. “It will probably blow past of its own accord, in time.”
“And Charlotte and Mama?”
“Charlotte is to dinner with young Uttley, and Grandmama is upstairs, in something of a temper with me, because I would not let her say that Lily was immoral.”
He sighed.
“No, we must not say so, although I fear it may well be true.”
“Why? Because she was killed? If you believe that, then what about Chloe Abernathy?”
“My dear, there are many ways of the world that you do not know, and it is better that it should be so. But it is more than possible that Chloe brought it upon herself also. Unfortunately,” he hesitated, “even well-born girls form liaisons, alliances—,” he left it hanging. “One doesn’t know—there may be—jealousies, revenges. Things it is better we do not discuss.”
And Caroline had to be content with that, although she found herself unable to believe it wholly or to dismiss it from her thoughts.
Chapter Six
IT WAS A WEEK LATER that Caroline finally succeeded in engaging a new maid to take Lily’s place. It had not been easy because although there were plenty of girls seeking a good position, many of them were unskilled, and many had reputations and references that were less than satisfactory. And, of course, since Lily’s death and the manner of it were known, it was not the most pleasing prospect for a respectable girl seeking employment.
However, Millie Simpkins seemed the best applicant they were likely to get, and the situation was becoming most awkward without someone in the position. The next thing would be that Mrs. Dunphy would find she could not cope, and use the shortage of help as an excuse to give her notice as well.
Millie was a pleasant enough girl, sixteen years old. She appeared to have an accommodating and willing nature, and was clean and passably neat. She lacked any great experience, this being only her second position, but that could be all to the good. If she had few set ways, then she could be taught, moulded into the pattern of this household. And perhaps most important of all, Mrs. Dunphy took to her immediately.
It was Wednesday morning when Millie knocked on the door of the rear sitting room.
“Come in,” Caroline replied.
Millie came in, a coat over her arm, and dropped a funny little curtsey.
“Yes Millie, what is it?” Caroline smiled at her. Poor child was nervous.
“Please, ma’am, this coat is—rather spoiled, ma’am. I don’t rightly know how to mend it. I’m sorry, ma’am.”
Caroline took it from her and held it up. It was one of Edward’s—smart, a formal jacket with velvet collar. It was a moment or two before she found the tear. It was in the sleeve, in the lower section at the back of the arm. How on earth could anyone tear themselves in such a place? She explored it with her fingers, pulling the pieces apart. It was almost as if a sharp claw had ripped it, about two inches long.
“I’m not surprised,” Caroline agreed. “Don’t worry about it, Millie. I’ll see what I can do with it, but we might well have to send it to a tailor, get a new piece set in.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Millie’s relief was almost painful.
Caroline smiled at her. “You did the right thing to bring it to me. Now you’d better go back and get on with the plain linen, and I believe there’s a petticoat of Miss Emily’s that’s torn.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She dropped another awkward little curtsey. “Thank you, ma’am.”
After she had gone Caroline looked at the coat again. She could not remember Edward’s having worn that coat for a long time, weeks in fact. Where could he have done that? Obviously he would not have worn it with such a tear. Why had he not asked her to do something about it at the time? He could not have failed to notice it. It was a coat he frequently wore to his club. In fact he had worn it—the night Lily was killed. She could remember quite clearly his coming in and being so angry with Charlotte for having sent for the police. The picture came to her mind: the gaslight on the wall hissing a little, throwing a yellowish light on the claret-coloured velvet. They had all been too