Page 67 of In the Midnight Hour

“Both, actually. Forgive me for not mentioning my fear of starting a rumor at the inquest when so many Pemberton Square residents were in attendance.” She tried to keep the sarcasm from her voice but probably failed.

Mr. Drummond arched a red brow in a dubious fashion. “You’re straining your credibility, Lady Cartwright.”

The bravado she’d tried to display faltered. If she told him the truth now, it would be a third version of why she’d left through the morning room. He wouldn’t believe her. She decided to take an offensive posture instead.

“Aren’t you going to ask me whether I was outside Sir Radnor’s chamber the night he died?” she asked serenely, though her heart was pounding with fright.

His eyes darkened. “Are you going to deny it?”

“Absolutely,” she replied crisply and perhaps a touch too loudly. “Yesterday was the first time I’ve ever been to the second floor of Sir Radnor’s house. I’ve heard that someone says they saw me last Friday, but they were mistaken. I was at home in my bedchamber from the time my maid left until I woke the next morning.”

“You’ve ‘heard?’”

She gave him a cool stare. “Gossip runs amok, I’m afraid.”

“Can anyone in your household corroborate you were in your chamber all night?”

“My cat?” she suggested. If only Quill could talk. “He sleeps with me every night.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “What did this person say exactly? I’ve a right to know what I’m being accused of.”

“That you were outside Sir Radnor’s room around half after one.”

“What was I wearing?” she asked.

Mr. Drummond blinked at her. “She didn’t say.”

She! Hypatia at least knew it was one of the female servants. “That seems odd. If she knew it was me, wouldn’t she know the details of what I was wearing?”

His lips flattened. “Mr. Usher also indicated that he saw you.”

“It’s my understanding that Mr. Usher was likely confused, that he also referred to me—rather, the person he saw—as Mrs. Jennings.” She was not going to explain who Mrs. Jennings was, not until after she’d interviewed the woman herself. “It seems likely to me that he was, like your other so-called witness, mistaken.”

Now, Mr. Drummond looked irritated. “You’ve a retort for everything, don’t you, Lady Cartwright?”

“Yes, because I didn’t return to Sir Radnor’s after I left, and I certainly didn’t kill him. You think I had a motive, but I did not. I’d no idea he’d named me in his will. Furthermore, look around you.” She leaned forward, holding his gaze. “I am not in need of his fortune.”

Mr. Drummond regarded her a long moment. The time stretched, and Hypatia reached for the offensive once more.

“Why didn’t your witness come forward before now?” Hypatia asked. “Surely the fact that she didn’t is suspicious.”

“She’s a lowly servant, and you are a lady of status and means. She was afraid to come forward. But as this investigation has dragged on without identifying the killer, she decided she had to report what she saw.” He frowned again, more deeply than before. “Lady Cartwright, I do not appreciate you questioning me. This is my interview.”

“This is my life,” she said with a quiet intensity. “I will not be accused of murder. Being a suspect has put me into turmoil and is damaging my reputation. I should like to remain a lady of stature.”

Mr. Drummond abruptly stood. “Do not leave London. My inquiries are ongoing.”

She slowly rose and gave him a cool stare. “I’ve no reason to leave London, Mr. Drummond. This is my home.”

He stared at her another long moment, his attention thoroughly assessing. She couldn’t help thinking he appeared dubious. Had she persuaded him at all that she wasn’t Sir Radnor’s killer?

Hypatia crossed to the door and opened it. He walked past her and made his way to the stairs. Turning to descend, he met her gaze with a frosty glower and held it until he disappeared down the stairs.

Her shoulders sagged, and she leaned against the door frame. She was relieved that was over.

As she made her way to the drawing room, her legs wobbled at first, then gained strength. Northwood had angled his chair slightly away from the table. Quill was curled up on his lap.

Northwood applauded upon seeing her. The noise startled Quill, who jumped down and darted to Hypatia. She leaned down and stroked his head between his ears, which twitched.

When she straightened, she walked farther into the room. “Why are you clapping?”