“That is correct,” Harriet snapped. “Why would I lower myself to visiting my husband’s apartment? This is where he brought his whores.”
“If you would like to become familiar with the apartment—”
She gave him a defiant look. “Why would I wish to do that?” she asked, speaking over him. “This place means nothing to me.”
“It was where your husband died, after all.”
“He shouldn’t have been here in the first place.”
Greydon put his hand up. “I will not dispute that, but you must have some questions about how Phineas died.”
“Sir David told me everything that I needed to know.” Harriet’s eyes roamed over the apartment, her eyes guarded. “Nothing in this place is worth saving. The furniture is rather tacky, if you ask me.”
“I do not think my brother came here for the furniture.”
“No, he most assuredly did not,” Harriet muttered.
A knock came at the door.
“Right on time,” Greydon said as he went to open the door.
On the other side of the threshold was Lady Charlotte. She was dressed in a pale yellow gown and a straw hat sat slightly askew on her head.
He opened the door wide. “Do come in,” he said. “We have been waiting for you.”
“We?” Lady Charlotte asked with a baffled look.
Harriet’s shrill voice met his ears. “What isshedoing here?” she demanded.
As he closed the door, he replied, “I see you are acquainted with Lady Charlotte already. That should save us a considerable amount of time.”
Lady Charlotte stood back as if she were trying to disappear into the papered walls. “You said the matter was urgent.”
“It is,” Greydon said. “I needed to speak to both of you. I assure you that it is of the utmost importance.”
“What could be so important that you needed both of us here?” Lady Charlotte asked.
Greydon held his arms out. “I take it that you are familiar with Phineas’ apartment.”
Harriet scoffed. “Of course she is,” she declared. “She was Phineas’ favorite whore after all.”
Lady Charlotte tensed. “I am not a whore.”
“No, pray tell, what are you?” Harriet asked. “You sleep with another woman’s husband. What did you get out of it?”
“He promised to marry me,” Lady Charlotte replied.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but he was never going to divorce me,” Harriet said. “You were just a passing fancy.”
“You are wrong.”
“I can see why it was so easy for my husband to seduce you,” Harriet mocked. “You are so incredibly naive that it is painful to even speak to you.”
Lady Charlotte tilted her chin. “At least he wanted to spend time with me.”
Harriet narrowed her eyes. “You know not what you are speaking of.”
“Don’t I?” Lady Charlotte asked. “He told me that you were a terrible excuse for a human being and he regretted marrying you.”
