“As will Larkins, I’m sure,” she replied. “Speaking of Larkins, I’m assuming it was Harry who framed him. But why was that even necessary? After all, Prudence’s death had been declared an accident. At that point, no one suspected Harry of anything.”
“It was Plumtree’s idea, although Harry was the one who planted the evidence in Larkins’s cottage,” replied George. “As you’ve all obviously surmised by now, Harry and his men had begun using Donwell’s old cellars to store contraband. Donwell was not one of their regular depots, but it served as a convenient backup when they had any difficulties with their regular routes.”
Mr. Weston frowned. “Taking quite the risk, if you ask me, since you’re the local magistrate.”
“True, but once I moved to Hartfield, Harry was able to utilize Donwell to an even greater extent. The fact that Larkins lived just off the estate made it an easy target, as did having the undercroft and the abandoned cellars.”
Emma thoughtfully tapped her chin. “But Donwell then became much less attractive once we decided to move back on a permanent basis. I understand all that. Still, why the need to frame Larkins?”
“Both Plumtree and Harry were concerned that Larkins was becoming suspicious about the cellars,” George replied. “You’ll recall that you observed that at least one of the cellars was in rather good condition. And Harriet noticed an odd smell when she inspected it with you, did she not?”
Emma grimaced. “She thought it smelled like tobacco. I thought it was just musty from disuse.”
“Harriet was correct. They’d been using that particular cellar to store contraband tobacco.”
“Which they removed on the night little Henry first saw them in the garden,” Emma said. “George, when I found that package on the day of the skating party, was it deliberately left there?”
“I’ll admit I didn’t think to ask Guy that particular question, but it would make sense if they did—as evidence that would eventually lead to Larkins. Harry also knew Larkins was increasingly unhappy with his performance and would soon be recommending that he be let go. Since Mrs. Hodges would no doubt support that recommendation, Harry and Guy concluded that Larkins needed to be removed.”
“One cannot help but be shocked by such cruelty,” said Mrs. Weston. “To torment a good man like Larkins is beyond the pale.”
Mr. Weston patted her hand. “The villains will pay, my dear. You may be sure of it.”
Emma grimaced. “It seems like a lot of trouble to go through, since Donwell’s usefulness was coming to an end. I’m afraid I don’t entirely understand their reasoning, George.”
“Plumtree and Harry still had need of Donwell on occasion, and they were willing to take the risk in the short term. As a location to store contraband, it was above suspicion.”
“So they framed Larkins to remove any impediment to their villainous plans.”
“Yes.” George cast her a wry smile. “And they just might have gotten away with it if not for you, my dear. You were quite dogged in your pursuit of the truth.”
“George, we all knew Larkins was innocent.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “And I take it you mean I made rather a nuisance of myself.”
“Mrs. Knightley, I must disagree,” Miss Bates protested. “You were a true heroine in defending poor Mr. Larkins. Why, Athena herself couldn’t have been more successful in restoring justice to Highbury.”
Emma had to bite back a smile at the notion of herself as an avenging goddess. “You give me too much credit and not enough to yourself, ma’am. You were exceedingly helpful throughout this entire ordeal.”
The little spinster blushed with pleasure.
“Very true,” said Father, clearly much struck. “Quite heroic. But I do hope you both will refrain from such heroics in the future. It is exceedingly hard on my nerves.”
“I’m sure nothing like this will happen again,” Isabella said in a soothing tone.
“That’s what Emma said the last time,” her father gloomily replied.
True enough.
“How did Harry manage to acquire Prudence’s mobcap and pink ribbon?” asked Mrs. Weston. “Those particular items more than anything convinced the coroner’s jury that Larkins had murdered her.”
“That and the fact that Larkins had been in love with the girl,” added Mr. Weston.
Emma held up a restraining hand. “Which none of us willevermention again. As for the mobcap and ribbons, Harry was the one we sent up to secure Prudence’s room after …” She glanced at her father, who was still looking decidedly unsettled. “After the event.”
“That and the fact that he and Prudence were secretly betrothed,” said George.
Emma nodded. “Harry did seem genuinely distressed when she died. I don’t think he feigned that emotion.”
“If you’ll recall, Prudence’s father and brothers suspected that she was seeing someone.”
