“Really, dearest, it’s not as if you aren’t digging into the man’s finances. I simply tried to take a more direct route.”
“Obviously, with little success.”
“Yes, although he did mention one thing I thought rather odd.”
“Just one thing?”
“There’s no need to tease, George. You’ve made your point.”
He finally cracked a smile. “All right, what did he say that struck you as odd?”
“He said that when it came to financial matters, he relied entirely on Mr. Suckling for guidance. That statement, however, runs counter to what I heard during the funeral reception.” She twirled a hand. “You remember, when they were fighting over money. At the time, Mr. Elton seemed to be blaming Mr. Suckling for mishandling some aspect of Mrs. Elton’s finances. So, why would he subsequently tell me that he relied so heavily on his brother-in-law?”
George frowned at his now-empty glass. “I have no answer to that. But I’m not surprised by Elton’s reluctance to discuss money matters with you. Most men of my acquaintance are quite private in that regard.”
“Unlike Mrs. Elton, who was quite forthcoming in letting everyone know how much money she had.”
“Or did not have.”
“Or did not have,” she admitted. “Has John discovered anything about their financial situation—or Mr. Suckling’s, for that matter?”
“He has not, although he wrote to say that he will continue to investigate. I think we must be prepared, however, to accept that there is little fruit to be harvested from this line of inquiry. It could very well be that Mrs. Elton was murdered by a thief, now long gone.”
All her instincts rebelled against such a simple explanation. “If only I could get into Mr. Elton’s study again, I feel certain I would find something.”
George put down his glass with a decided clink. “You are to attempt no such thing, my dear. And, for once, I need you to listen to me.”
Emma adopted what she hoped was a suitably wounded expression. “I always listen to you, George.”
“But this time I need you to actuallydowhat I am asking of you. In fact, I think it best if you no longer call at the vicarage by yourself.”
She was slightly startled by his serious tone. “Why ever not?”
“It’s not appropriate.”
Emma stared at him, perplexed. “But that makes no sense. I’m a married woman, and he is our vicar. George, if I didn’t know better, I would think you were jealous of Mr. Elton. Which is—”
“Ridiculous,” he replied. “My dear, I am not jealous, but have you forgotten that Elton was once your suitor? The current circumstances have generated a great deal of gossip in Highbury, some of it centered around you.”
“It’s hardly my fault that I discovered the body. As to the other issue, no one knew Mr. Elton was courting me.Ididn’t know Mr. Elton was courting me.”
“Some did. John, for one.”
“John is hardly about to exchange lurid tales with anyone in Highbury.”
“Regardless, I think it best if you place a bit of distance between yourself and Elton. I fear he leans on you too much for support—and thatwillgenerate gossip.”
“If people are going to gossip about anyone, it’s Mr. Elton and Harriet. He seems to be quite taken with her, and she with him. Given their previous history, I find it entirely bizarre.”
“I imagine it would be even more bizarre for Robert Martin,” he replied. “I would therefore advise that Harriet distance herself from Elton, too.”
“I have already made that suggestion.”
“Sound advice, my dear. Please apply it to yourself, as well.”
Emma thought about it for a few moments and then shrugged. “I suppose you’re right. I truly feel for the poor man, but he certainly made a nuisance of himself over Miss Bates and Dick Curtis.”
“Precisely. By the way, I spoke to Elton today.”
