Page 58 of In the Midnight Hour

She tried to keep a rein on her panic. “I did not kill Sir Radnor.” Her voice wavered under the strain of her stress, and she worried she sounded as if she were lying.

Mr. Sheffield fixed on her a moment, then spoke to the room at large. “The murder remains unsolved, I’m afraid, but we have found the thieves.” He turned his stern attention to the Clavertons. “As soon as the constables arrive, you’ll be taken to Marlborough Street where you will face the magistrate.”

Mr. Claverton slumped, and Miss Claverton squared her shoulders. They could not have reacted more differently throughout the encounter.

“I’ll go downstairs to await the arrival of the constables,” Maberly said.

“Mr. Maberly, will you please gather the manuscripts? I’ll need to take those to Marlborough Street along with the items from the dressing chamber and the walking stick.” Mr. Sheffield glanced at Mr. Claverton. “May I presume you returned those to the cabinet downstairs?”

“I did,” Mr. Claverton said meekly.

“I’ll fetch them for you,” Maberly said before departing.

Mrs. Babcock followed him out, but not before shaking her head at the Clavertons.

“Well, this was not what I expected at a funeral,” Dr. Ellingham said. “Sheffield, let me know if I can be of further help.” He inclined his head on his way from the bedchamber.

That left the Sheffield brothers, the Clavertons, and Hypatia. She wished she could slip out as effortlessly as the others had, but she felt as though she couldn’t leave.

As if he’d seen her thoughts, Mr. Sheffield addressed her once more. “Lady Cartwright, I would like you to accompany us to Marlborough Street to provide testimony about what you witnessed Miss Claverton doing today as well as what she said to you.” Apparently, she did have something to do with it. Mr. Sheffield looked toward his brother. “You too, North.”

Hypatia worried she’d also be detained whilst she was there.

North seemed to read her concern. “You won’t be questioned today,” he assured her, but his brother flashed a frown in his direction. Regarding Mr. Sheffield coolly, Northwood repeated himself with a quick glance at her. “You won’t.”

Usher ambled into the bedchamber and scowled at the Clavertons. “You should be ashamed of yourselves.” He’d clearly heard what had happened, probably from Maberly.

Mr. Claverton looked at the floor, and Miss Claverton simply stared straight ahead.

“Mr. Usher, would you fetch the snuffbox and necklace from the dressing chamber?” Mr. Sheffield asked. “I need to take them to Marlborough Street.”

The valet’s eyes flashed with concern. “Will I get the snuffbox back? Sir Radnor wanted me to have it.”

“Yes, of course. We need it as evidence for the theft case against the Clavertons, but it will be returned to you when all is settled.”

“If they stole everything, especially the walking stick, isn’t it likely they killed Sir Radnor too?” Usher sent an angry glare at the brother and sister. “Sir Radnor didn’t care for them. Said they were petty and greedy like their father.” That was more than he’d told Hypatia and Northwood. “I wouldn’t put it past them to be angry enough to kill him.”

“We didn’t kill him,” Mr. Claverton stressed, his features strained.

Mr. Sheffield raised a hand. “That’s enough.” He looked to the valet. “Mr. Usher, if you please. The items from the dressing chamber?”

With a final glower toward the Clavertons, Usher turned and shuffled into the dressing chamber. On a whim, Hypatia followed him.

“You can give those to me,” she offered as he bent to pick up the items. “That way you don’t have to see the Clavertons again.”

“Thank you, my lady. You are most kind.” He clucked his tongue. “Just look at this mess.” Straightening with a soft groan, he handed the snuffbox and necklace to Hypatia. “You’ll make sure I get that snuffbox, won’t you?”

“I’ll do my best,” she assured him with a smile. “Usher, we don’t think the Clavertons would have been able to access the house the night Sir Radnor was killed,” she said gently. “There isn’t evidence they were here. Is there any chance they might have come so late at night? You said you heard shuffling in Sir Radnor’s chamber. Could that have been the Clavertons?”

Usher thought for a moment. “Perhaps? I didn’t go into the bedchamber. That was Sir Radnor’s express command.”

“Thank you, Usher. If you recall anything else about last Friday night, please let us know.”

Hypatia returned to the bedchamber and delivered the necklace and snuffbox to Mr. Sheffield. He tucked the items into his pocket after thanking her.

A few minutes later, Maberly returned with the constables. His brow was deeply furrowed, and his grave concern was evident. “Mr. Sheffield, the arrival of the constables has caused a stir. Might they escort the Clavertons out the back through the garden and the mews?” He glanced at Hypatia. “Or they could go through your gate and exit via your house?”

“I have no problem with that,” she said.