You’re drinking much more than usual tonight,” Mother Bates remarked as Gideon refilled his whiskey glass from the sideboard in the parlor.

“I think I’m entitled,” he said grimly. “It’s not every day I see a member of my family murdered.”

This was true. While he did have to see members of his family murdered, it happened only occasionally. Still . . . Elizabeth understood it must have been a shock nonetheless. “Jake gave his life for a good cause.”

Before Gideon could respond, the maid tapped on the parlor door and announced a visitor. Mother Bates glanced meaningfully at the clock. It was after eight, far too late for a casual visitor.

“It’s that woman with the funny name,” Lucy reported.

“Madame Ophelia?” Elizabeth asked in surprise.

“No, ma’am, the young one.”

“Persephone,” Gideon guessed.

“Yes, sir, that’s the one.”

One look at Gideon told Elizabeth how reluctant he was to see her. Seeing her would also involve some lying, so it was just as well if he wasn’t involved. “Would you show her into the library, Lucy?” When she was gone, she added to Gideon, “I’ll talk to her alone.”

“What do you think she wants?” Mother Bates asked.

“I’m sure she’s just here to ask after Jake’s welfare.”

“She’ll be disappointed, then,” Gideon said.

Elizabeth exchanged a knowing look with Mother Bates and went out to find Persephone in the library. The girl was pacing when Elizabeth walked in, and she stopped instantly, turning to face her, but she was indeed disappointed. “I asked to speak to Mr. Bates. Is he here?”

“He is but . . . Oh, Persephone, he told me what happened. It’s so horrible.”

Her face crumpled in despair. “What happened to Mr. Miller? Is he . . . ? Is he all right?”

Elizabeth let her eyes fill with tears. “I’m afraid he . . . he died. I’m so sorry. I feel like I’m somehow responsible, as if I could have saved him if I’d just known how.”

“But I don’t understand,” Persephone said, holding on to her emotions with difficulty. “Why was Mr. Bates there?”

“He told me one of the men is his client. They were there to sign some legal documents, I believe.”

“His client?”

“Yes, and Mr. Miller represented the man in some way, too, I believe.”

“He was . . .” She had to pause to swallow her tears. “He was his stockbroker.”

“I see, but Mr. Bates didn’t know that until the meeting, I gather.” He hadn’t even guessed Jake was a stockbroker. “He has no idea who the woman was, though. She ran out when she realized Mr. Miller was . . . was . . .” She couldn’t make herself say the word.

“She was in love with him,” Persephone said. “He didn’t feel the same.”

“Men can be so heartless,” Elizabeth murmured. “But the real question is, what were you doing there, Persephone?”

Persephone feigned surprise. “Me?”