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“He was most happy with his job and had even met a girl—a sweet thing by the sounds of it. Nothing like they are painting.” Mrs. Harper’s cup rattled in her hand and she set it down on the table. “Forgive me, but it is hard to believe he is gone and now Society is making it their entertainment. I do not think he even knew this Lady E. and he would certainly know better than to get involved with a lady.”
“You did a fine job of raising him.”
“We could do nothing else. Your sister, God rest her soul, was one of the sweetest ladies I ever met. I owed it to her.” Mrs. Harper pressed her fingers to her lips. “And now Julian is gone, and I have failed her.”
“There was nothing you could do,” Mr. Harper assured his wife.
“Indeed,” Valentine agreed. “Whatever happened that night, it was not your fault. One could even blame me for having him accompany me. I thought we would be there only a few moments. But it was a risk I should not have taken.”
Mrs. Harper frowned. “You do not think someone recognized him as your nephew, do you?”
“I doubt it.”
Valentine had gone through any number of reasons why Julian might have been killed. A footman was hardly known for his wealth and besides, someone looking to steal would surely approach those dripping in jewels, like the bold-tongued Mrs. Whitaker.
A lover did not seem correct either though none of the servants would tell him much, and his butler and valet could not get a word from them either as they had closed ranks.
“I still have my regrets, though,” he added.
“Like whether you should have claimed him?” Mr. Harper asked.
Valentine swung his gaze to the man. “You know why I did not.”
“I know.” Mr. Harper nodded. “You could not let your sister be ruined—even in death. And we are grateful for the opportunity to raise a son like Julian. But it would not be unusual for you to wonder whether there had been a different way.”
Straightening his shoulders, Valentine gulped down his tea in one go and set the delicate cup back on the tray. “If there had been, I would have found it. But please be assured, I shall get to the bottom of this matter. Julian’s memory will not be tainted any more than my sister’s was.” He leaned forward and met Mrs. Harper’s watery gaze. “That much, I vow.”
