Miss Bates clasped her hands. “Mrs. Knightley, I would be ever so grateful.”
Emma lifted her brows. “Well, George? What do your magisterial instincts suggest? Will we upset the proper course of justice if Isabella and Mrs. Bates return home?”
“My magisterial instincts cede to your good sense, my dear. In fact, it might make the process run more smoothly if we have fewer people involved.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “Perhaps Harry can run out to the stables—”
George shook his head. “Harry is upstairs guarding Prudence’s room.”
Emma grimaced. “I’d forgotten that.”
Shortly after George inspected the body, he’d begun issuing orders—one of which was to send Harry upstairs. George had wanted Prudence’s room to remain untouched until Dr. Hughes arrived.
“Mrs. Hodges can send one of our footman to the stables.”
“Perhaps I’d best go to the great hall and wait for Dr. Hughes,” said Emma. “Mr. and Mrs. Weston have been manning the barricades, but I’m sure people are wondering where we’ve all disappeared to.”
Emma had managed to briefly slip out to alert the Westons to their burgeoning crisis. They’d risen to the occasion as always, promising to oversee the party.
“You might keep an eye out for Constable Sharpe,” George replied. “I sent the stable boy with a note requesting his presence.”
Ugh.
“I suppose you thought that was necessary.”
He shrugged. “I’m sure his presence will be a mere formality.”
“Mere? As far as Constable Sharpe is concerned, he’s always the hero of any drama. Besides, I’m the last person he’ll wish to see.”
In general, the constable didn’t approve of women. In particular, he didn’t approve of Emma.
“Perhaps, but you’d best be on your way,” George replied. “The sooner this evening is concluded, the better.”
After giving her husband a fleeting kiss on the cheek, Emma hurried from the room. Thankfully, she immediately encountered Mrs. Hodges in the corridor.
“Mrs. Knightley, do you need anything?”
Emma took her arm and turned her back the other way. “Yes, please. I need you to send word to James, our coachman. My sister is going to take Mrs. Bates home.”
“Poor Mrs. Bates. She must be plumb frazzled out.”
“Everyone is feeling the strain.”
Mrs. Hodges let out a weary sigh. “Indeed, Mrs. Knightley.”
Emma mentally scolded herself. She’d failed to recognize how deeply the housekeeper would be affected by Prudence’s death. Surely it would be more than for anyone else in the household, since she’d worked with the girl every day.
“Mrs. Hodges, please forgive me. I know this has been a terrible blow.”
“I won’t deny it, ma’am. Prudence was a sweet girl and so full of life. It’s hard to imagine—” She stopped and bit her lip.
Emma pressed her arm. “I understand completely.”
“It’s her father I can’t help thinking about. He was so proud to see Prudence working in such a fine house.” Mrs. Hodges grimaced. “Who will tell him?”
“Mr. Knightley will take care of it. Now, if you’ll find James …”
The woman gathered herself. “Forgive me, ma’am.”
