Greydon watched Lady Eugenie closely for any signs of lying, but he saw nothing that would indicate she was not telling the truth. She held his gaze, and her words appeared forthright. Heaven help him, but he believed her account. But he had one more question to ask. “How does your sister, Lottie, play into all of this?”
Lady Eugenie’s face paled. “Lottie has nothing to do with this,” she said in a shaky voice.
Based upon her reaction, Greydon knew that Lottie had everything to do with this case. “Why was my brother writing her letters?”
“He wasn’t,” Lady Eugenie attempted.
Greydon crossed his arms over his chest. “I think it is admirable that you are protecting your sister, but not if she is a murderer.”
Lady Eugenie shook her head. “Lottie is no murderer.”
“Then what is she?” Greydon asked. “Was she Phineas’ mistress?”
Mr. Moore interrupted, “If you don’t tell us the truth, then you could be put to death for this crime and what would happen to Lottie?”
Indecision crossed Lady Eugenie’s face as she stayed silent. Finally, after a long moment, she revealed, “I went to Phineas’ apartment because I was looking for Lottie.”
“And you thought she was at his apartment?” Greydon asked.
Lady Eugenie met his gaze and her words sparked with anger. “Your brother was a monster. Lottie was only sixteen years old when he first seduced her. He fed her lies about love and whatnot, and my sister believed them.”
“Did you find Lottie when you arrived?” Mr. Moore asked.
“I did not,” Lady Eugenie said. “Everything else was how I said it was.”
Greydon uncrossed his arms and asked, “Is it possible that Lottie stabbed Phineas in a fit of rage?”
“No!” Lady Eugenie exclaimed. “My sister would do no such thing. She loved him!”
The door to the room opened and Walker stepped back in. “Time is up,” he said. “The prisoner needs to be returned back to her cell.”
Mr. Moore rose from his seat. “That is unacceptable. I need more time with Lady Eugenie.”
Walker approached Lady Eugenie and grabbed her arm. “You can speak to her tomorrow, assuming she behaves,” he said as he yanked her out of her seat.
After Lady Eugenie departed from the room, Greydon turned his attention towards Mr. Moore. “I believe Lady Eugenie to be innocent.”
“That is a relief,” Mr. Moore muttered.
“But I will be paying Lottie a visit,” Greydon said.
Mr. Moore rose from his seat. “I will accompany you.”
Greydon put his hand up. “I think it would be best if I asked Lady Enid to join me. Lottie might feel more comfortable in her presence when I ask her a few questions.”
“I agree,” Mr. Moore said. “Now can we leave this blasted place?”
“After you,” Greydon replied, gesturing towards the door.
ChapterEleven
With a book in her hand, Enid sat in the nursery while her daughter slept. It was a quiet, peaceful sound to hear Marigold’s deep breathing. Her daughter was safe and that was all that mattered to her.
The door opened and her father stepped into the room. His eyes widened when they landed on her. “Enid,” he greeted in a hushed voice.
“Father,” she said, unsure of why he was here. He had made his thoughts known about how he felt about Marigold. The little girl was no more welcome in the home than she was.
Her father’s eyes darted towards Marigold and they softened, which was something she never thought she would witness. He cleared his throat. “I just wanted to ensure you were in the house and not causing more problems for others.”
