Sir David cut him off. “You have wasted your time, then,” he said. “Lady Eugenie confessed to the murder last night.”
Greydon’s brow shot up. “That is impossible.”
“I don’t know why you are acting so surprised, considering she was caught red-handed,” Sir David stated. “Her guilty plea was the only obvious choice for her.”
“But, sir, she is not guilty of this crime,” Greydon asserted.
“Then why would she confess?”
“I cannot speak for her, but I have found some rather interesting information pertaining to the case.”
Sir David gave him a bored look. “Pray tell, what did you discover?” he asked dryly.
“My brother’s wife, Lady Rushcliffe, visited his apartment on the morning of the murder,” Greydon replied. “She left shortly before Lady Eugenie started screaming for help.”
“Are you implying that Lady Rushcliffe had something to do with her husband’s murder?” Sir David asked.
“I am merely saying that it is worth looking into. Phineas was in the process of trying to divorce her, giving her a motive.”
Sir David moved to sit on the edge of his seat. “You are out of line, and I should have you arrested for interfering in a criminal case. You are no longer a Bow Street Runner and have no authority here.”
“I am trying to ensure my brother’s murderer is brought to justice.”
“And she is,” Sir David declared. “I understand your infatuation with this case, but it ends here.”
“Sir, if I may—”
Sir David put his hand up. “You may not,” he said. “It is only because of professional courtesy that I am just going to pretend this conversation never happened.”
Greydon ran a hand through his hair as he tried to quell his growing irritation at being dismissed so readily. “I know how it seems, but if you would just give me a chance to prove it,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Rushcliffe,” Sir David sighed, “you are wrong about this one, and it pains me to tell you this. Just go home and grieve your brother properly.”
“I am not wrong.”
“Regardless of what you believe to be true, Lady Eugenie will be hung for the murder of your brother.”
“The wrong person is condemned.”
Sir David abruptly rose and shouted, “Do not tell me how to do my job! Do you know the pressure on me to deliver your brother’s murderer?”
“I don’t doubt that you are under pressure, but—”
“Good day,” Sir David said, dismissing him.
Greydon knew there was no point in staying here and arguing with Sir David. The coroner would not yield, and he was wasting his time. If he wanted to prove that Lady Eugenie was innocent, he would have to do it himself.
He spun on his heel and departed from the room. After he stepped outside, Greydon knew it was time to speak to Harriet again and present her with the information that he had. With any luck, she would confess. But it rarely was that easy.
Greydon found himself walking towards Mayfair to see Enid. He was never one to work with another, but he found he valued her opinion. She might have some insight on why Lady Eugenie confessed to a murder that she did not commit.
Enid held Marigold in her arms as she strolled around the gardens. It was a beautiful day and not a cloud was in sight. The sound of Marigold babbling in her arms filled her with contentment. She didn’t think she would ever tire of that noise.
A red-tailed bird landed on a bush in front of them, drawing Marigold’s attention. Enid inched forward towards the bird as she tried to avoid startling it. When she was a short distance away, she stopped and Marigold squealed in amusement, causing the bird to take flight.
The nursemaid stepped forward and pointed towards one of the paths. “You have a visitor, my lady,” she informed her.
Enid turned her head and saw that Greydon was approaching them with a smile on his face. Dear heavens, he was handsome!
