Murder Has No Class (12 page)

“Just as long as you try. That’s all I ask.” Meredith yawned again. “Dear me. I do believe it’s past my bedtime.”

“Mine, too.” Felicity got to her feet and bent her elbows to stretch her back. “When do you plan to visit the estate again?”

“Tomorrow afternoon, after classes.” Meredith tucked her knitting bag back in the drawer and stood. “We can leave Sylvia in charge. I’ll tell her we have been invited to a friend’s house for a meal.”

Essie gasped. “But that means we’ll have to go without supper!”

“I’ll have a word with Mrs. Wilkins. I’m sure she can arrange something for all of us.” Meredith looked at Felicity. “Will that suit you?”

Felicity feigned surprise. “Oh, you want me to come with you?”

“Of course.” Meredith crossed to the door. “You surely didn’t think I would leave you behind?” She paused and looked back at her. “Of course, you might prefer to stay out of this investigation.”

“Oh, I might as well come along. Just to see that the two of you don’t end up in trouble.”

“Well, then, that’s settled.” Well pleased, Meredith left the room and headed down the hallway.

Once inside her room, she wasted no time in climbing into bed. As usual, Mrs. Wilkins had left a hot water bottle under the covers, and it was still warm enough to take the chill out of her toes.

Snuggling down under the blankets, Meredith went over the events of the day in her mind. There were still so many unanswered questions. Did Smithers lie on the stand, and if so, why? Was someone else there that night? Was Smithers protecting someone? If so, who? Thinking about it all gave her a headache.

She turned over on her side and pulled the covers up to her chin. As she did so, she thought she saw something move over by the window. Instantly wide awake, she raised her head.

A cold blast of air seemed to wrap itself around her neck.

At the same instant, the pink mist appeared, growing at an alarming rate until it filled the corner of the room.

As the boiling cloud turned red in the middle, Meredith sat up, one hand reaching for the repaired clock at her side. Reggie would not be too pleased if she broke it again, but she felt a little more secure with it clutched in her fingers.

James’s face peered out at her from the middle of the mist, his lips moving soundlessly, his eyes staring into space.

Meredith decided to try being civil. “I thought you might return,” she said pleasantly.

One arm detached itself from the mist and the fist clenched in the air.

“Yes, I know you’re angry. But since I’m not the cause of your pain, I suggest you calm down a little if you want me to help you.”

Her words took an instant effect. The arm lowered, and the dark red swirls began to settle down into a lovely shade of pink.

She could see all of James now, from head to foot. He was dressed in a flowing white robe, and she was startled to see a piece of rope wrapped around his throat. No wonder he was always in a rage.

“I have one question to ask you,” she said, beginning to feel a little more secure. “If you tell me the truth, then I will try to find out what really happened the night your father was shot.”

The ghost stared back at her, unresponsive.

Meredith took a deep breath. “Did you, or did you not, shoot your father?”

James’s mouth opened in a silent roar of outrage. Once more the mist swirled around in deep red spirals, while both arms shot into the air, the clenched fists pounding each other as if in a fierce battle.

Meredith took a firmer grip on the clock. “I’ll assume you’re protesting your innocence.”

For a second or two longer, James’s eyes burned with fury, then as quickly as he had appeared, he faded into the mist. The pink swirls swallowed him up, then shrunk into a mere wisp of smoke before vanishing.

Meredith let out her breath. She would have liked to ask him a lot more questions, in spite of the fact he scared her to death. If only her powers were stronger.

Once more she tucked herself under the covers. One thing she could be certain of was that James had every intention of continuing to pester her. Besides, there were just too many questions that needed answering. She was now committed to finding out the truth about Lord Stalham’s murder and, perhaps, setting right a grievous miscarriage of justice.

She couldn’t give James back his life. All she could hope for was to clear his name and discover the real culprit. Maybe that would bring the poor man a measure of peace.

The following day Meredith found the students to be unusually subdued. Normally they were in high spirits on a Friday, anticipating the weekend. At first she put it down to the fact that they had been barred from enjoying their usual jaunt to the village, and would have to spend Saturday on the school grounds.

It seemed wherever she went that day, however, small groups of girls stood about whispering among each other, only to break off and scatter as she approached. By the time a rather tense midday meal was over, she felt compelled to voice her concerns to the other tutors.

Sylvia was already in the teacher’s lounge when Meredith entered, followed by Felicity and Essie. Meredith hesitated to mention her misgivings in front of the volatile tutor. Sylvia was apt to panic at the slightest hint of trouble. Nevertheless, if trouble was indeed brewing, then Sylvia should certainly be forewarned.

Meredith wasted no time in coming to the point. “I don’t know if any of you have noticed it, but the students are behaving rather oddly. I have reason to believe they might have something up their sleeves, though I have no idea what that may be. Have any of you heard anything that might possibly shed light on the subject?”

Essie shook her head, while Felicity merely looked blank.

“I have noticed it, too,” Sylvia exclaimed. “I caught a group of students in the lobby whispering to each other. The minute I got close to them they all dispersed.”

“Precisely.” Meredith glanced at the other two tutors. “Does anyone have any ideas of what they may be whispering about?”

“Not a clue,” Felicity said, flopping onto a chair. “I don’t pay much attention to them anyway. They are probably planning tango lessons or something.” She glanced at Sylvia, and was rewarded with a scowl.

“Well, I suppose we shall find out in due course.” Meredith sat down next to her. “I don’t think they can get into too much trouble, since they will be confined to the school for the entire weekend.”

“Except for when we go to church on Sunday,” Sylvia reminded her with a slightly accusing air.

“Of course.” Meredith curbed a sigh. “I did feel, however, that I should warn you all to be on your guard. The more prepared we are for trouble, the more likely we’ll be able to take care of it.” Bracing herself, she added, “Which brings me to a favor I must ask of you, Sylvia.”

The tutor turned her head, her expression wary. “I certainly hope you’re not expecting me to watch over these girls all by myself.”

Ignoring Essie’s gasp of dismay, Meredith smiled. “Only for a short while. Felicity, Essie, and I have been invited to a friend’s house for supper. The students will all be in their rooms or in the library. I shall ask Mr. Platt to remain here until we return. He will assist you should anything untoward happen.”

Sylvia’s face registered stark horror. “I can’t possibly rely on that young man! Why, he is usually the one to instigate trouble. You must know that.”

“Please don’t fret about it. I’ll have a word with him before I leave.”

“I really don’t think—” Sylvia began, but Meredith cut in with a raised hand.

“It’s all settled, Sylvia. I trust that you will rise to the occasion with your usual competence and fortitude. I have every confidence in your ability to handle whatever problem may arise.”

“Well, I fully intend to speak to Mr. Hamilton about all this on his next visit.” Sylvia marched to the door, her chin jutting out in defiance. “He should know that your assistant is nothing but an insufferable troublemaker.”

“I do believe he’s aware of that,” Meredith murmured, but her answer was lost in the slamming of the door.

“Ouch.” Felicity winced. “I have an idea Miss Montrose is a little miffed about something.”

“Nothing more than I expected.” Meredith sat down on the nearest chair. “It can’t be helped. I need both of you to come with me if we are to get to the bottom of this murder.”

Felicity gave her a look full of curiosity. “You certainly seem dedicated to the cause.”

“I am.” Meredith paused, then added quietly, “James came to visit me again last night.”

Essie gasped, her hand covering her mouth.

“Oh, here we go again.” Felicity shook her head. “What did he tell you this time?”

Meredith gave her a withering look. “You know quite well he can’t speak to me. I asked if he had killed his father.”

Glancing at the clock, she rose to her feet. “He made it quite clear by his actions that he was outraged at the question. We must leave. Reggie should have the carriage at the front steps by now.”

Felicity sighed and climbed to her feet. “Then let’s get this over with before I faint from hunger.”

Meredith rolled her eyes. “We shall be back here soon after our normal supper time. Mrs. Wilkins has promised to have soup and sandwiches waiting for us in the kitchen when we return.”

“Then lead on.” Felicity stomped across the room and opened the door. “Our enemies await.”

Essie looked startled. “Our enemies?”

“Just a phrase, that’s all.” Felicity walked out into the hallway, and Essie, seeming only partly reassured, followed her.

Meredith stepped out after them and closed the door. Although she refrained from saying as much, she couldn’t help wondering if perhaps Felicity’s words might prove prophetic. She had seen something in the aloof butler’s eyes that had made her most uneasy, and she could only hope that she wasn’t leading them all into jeopardy.

Chapter 10

Some time later, as they all marched up the steps of the Stalhams’ mansion to the tune of the barking dogs, Meredith still harbored a feeling of apprehension. She had prepared her speech and was well versed in what she would say. Even so, when the door opened to reveal the steely-eyed butler, the skin on her arms prickled.

“Good afternoon.” She smiled, though her lips felt stiff and unresponsive. “I was so enchanted with this beautiful estate I brought my sister, Miss Felicity Cross, to look at it. I trust her opinion, and I just know she is going to simply love it, as I do.”

Smithers looked at her as if she’d just crawled out from under a stone. “You have an appointment?”

Meredith was about to answer when Felicity stepped forward.

“We are here to decide whether or not we wish to purchase this property. Please inform your superiors that we wish to look around.”

“I
am
the superior here.” Smithers’s eyes burned with resentment. Meredith almost expected steam to rise from his head.

Felicity looked him up and down. “Really. Well in that case, my good man, you will have no objection if we come in.” Without waiting for him to answer, she stepped over the threshold, forcing the butler to retreat.

Glancing over her shoulder, she signaled with her eyes for Meredith to follow. Essie seemed frozen to the spot. Meredith took hold of her arm and propelled her forward, then followed her into the vast entrance.

Smithers fixed his menacing stare on Essie. “And pray, who is this?”

“Oh,” Meredith said hurriedly, “this is . . . ah . . . my niece. Miss Esmeralda Pickard.”

Essie still wore that petrified expression, and Felicity gave her a hearty nudge with her elbow. “Smile, child. Remember your manners.”

Essie drew her lips back over her teeth. “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” she murmured.

The butler’s gaze lingered for a moment longer on her face, then traveled back to Meredith. “I will see if Mrs. Parker is available.”

“Please do so,” Felicity said cheerfully.

Smithers dismissed her with another of his chilling glances and stalked off down the hallway.

“Hmmph!” Felicity muttered. “He’s a bit of a snob if you ask me.”

“He scares me.” Essie shivered. “I don’t think he’ll even talk to us, much less tell us anything.”

“He’ll talk to you.” Felicity gave her an encouraging smile. “Just bat your eyelashes at him and flash those dimples. He’ll be bleating like a lamb in no time.”

Meredith had to laugh. “I’m afraid Essie might be right. I can’t see that man melting in the face of the sun. But it’s worth a try.”

Essie frowned. “Well, if you say so, but I really don’t think it will do any good.”

The sound of footsteps turned her head, and Meredith followed her gaze. Mrs. Parker was hurrying toward them, her face creased in anxiety.

“Mr. Smithers asked me to be as quick as possible,” she said, when she reached them. “So if you’ll come this way, Mrs. Llewellyn, I’ll take you to the drawing room.”