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“Good, good.” He leaned back in the chair and moved his clasped hands to rest on his stomach. He regarded me with affection, setting my mind at ease. If this was about Mr. Chapman’s office, I’d know by now. My uncle was the sort of man who wore his thoughts like an outer garment. “We missed you last night.”
“That’s kind of you to say.”
“It’s not a kindness when it’s true. It’s a truth.” He smiled, pleased with his little word play. “The family weren’t the only ones who missed you.”
“That’s sweet of Mr. and Mrs. Bracksley-Jones. I’ll write to them and send my regards.”
“I wasn’t referring to Mr. or Mrs. Bracksley-Jones. I was referring to their son.” His smile widened.
My heart sank. “I don’t remember ever meeting their son. In fact, I’ve only ever met Mrs. Bracksley-Jones.”
“You have met the son, as it happens. You danced with him at the ball. Richard Bracksley-Jones. Everyone calls him Dickie.”
“I remember him now.” He was a short man with bad breath and two left feet. “He knew a great deal about birds.”
“That’s the fellow. Loves to shoot birds at their country estate.” He cleared his throat. “Usually Lilian would have this talk with you, but she seems to think you’re old enough to orchestrate these things yourself.”
“What things?” I asked carefully.
“Meetings with suitors.”
“Uncle,” I began. I blew out a fortifying breath. “Uncle, we’ve been through this. I am not interested in marrying.”
“That’s what Lilian said, but that was before the ball. You obviously didn’t think there’d be this much interest.Weall knew you’d be well received, naturally.” He waved off his own compliment, as if he were embarrassed to give it. “Lilian informs me that Dickie Bracksley-Jones isn’t the only one who wishes to get to know you better. There are others. As I said, you made quite an impression at the ball. You were very charming and one of the prettiest there, I might add.”
“I am sorry, but I’m not interested in him. Or anyone. I’m quite content as I am.”
I hadn’t offended him. Indeed, he seemed as enthusiastic as ever. “It’s wise not to express too much interest at this stage. Dickie is just the first to throw his hat into the ring. While the Bracksley-Joneses are a good family, I think you can do better. We’ll see who else comes out of the woodwork in the coming weeks, shall we?” He winked at me then picked up the letter he’d just finished writing.
I rose and left, not bothering to say anything further. It would only fall on deaf ears. At least my aunt understood and seemed to be in my corner. I suspected I was going to need her.
Downstairs, I asked Frank if Floyd had left the hotel. He hadn’t. Not that it mattered. He wouldn’t confide in me. Even if he did, there was nothing I could do to be of practical help.
I felt utterly useless.
It was Floyd’s problem, rather than the investigation, that remained topmost on my mind all the way to Harry’s office. I stopped in at Roma Café and ordered two coffees to take upstairs. With my hands full, I lightly kicked the office door with the toe of my boot.
Harry answered and relieved me of the coffee cups. “You’re late this morning.”
“I slept in.”
“A ball? Dinner party?”
“An interrupted sleep.” I sat and sipped my coffee. The warm liquid was far better than the cold brew I’d tried to swallow at breakfast. I sighed and cradled the cup between both hands.
Harry frowned at me. “Something’s happened.”
“No. Nothing. Why do you say that?”
“I can tell.”
I shifted in my chair. I wanted to tell him about Floyd, but Floyd wouldn’t like that. He didn’t even likemeknowing his troubles, he certainly wouldn’t want an outsider, and a former employee at that, learning about his gambling problem. But Harry had a way of seeing through me. I couldn’t continue to lie.
I changed the subject instead. “Annie the maid overheard Lady Bunbury and Ambrose McDonald arguing at the ball.” I told him what Annie had told Harmony, that Lady Bunbury accused him of betraying her, and that she’d been the one to inform him of their financial predicament. “That information, at least, he found out from the original source. I’d be furious with him too, if he’d deceived me like that.”
“Perhaps she was furious enough to kill him.” He gave me one of his crooked smiles. “I have to admit, I was skeptical, but your idea to give Annie a position at the hotel was a good one. I thought she might be too loyal, but it got results.”
“She couldn’t afford to be loyal. She wasn’t being paid regularly at the Bunburys.”
