“Witness,” I said. “I found him, Darcy. I’m going to have to face the police and probably the press. I just wish I hadn’t been the one who found him. And there’s a murderer at large too. Probably someone in this house.”

He slipped his hand through mine. “Don’t worry. I’m here now,” he said. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

“I’m also glad you’re here, because . . .” I began. I was going to add my suspicion that something wasn’t right about that crime scene. But as I pictured it in my mind, I couldn’t think exactly what. I could see Cedric lying there with Jack’s knife sticking out of his back, his coat over him and water splashing over his arm and head. Exactly what was bothering me? I shook my head and went into the Long Gallery alongside Darcy.

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The rest of the family was already seated around the food and near the fire. The old sisters were munching away merrily as if this was any other morning and they hadn’t just lost their nephew.

The twins were working their way through a plate of biscuits. Sissy sat by the fire, watching, hoping that someone would pass her something, I suspect, but too polite to ask. There was no sign of the Starlings.

Virginia was the first to notice us. “Why, it’s my favorite handsome man come back to see me,” she said, holding out her hand to Darcy. “How good of you to come in our hour of need.”

Darcy did as expected and went over to kiss the extended hand. Then he kissed that of Princess Charlotte with an attractive little Continental bow. “Your Highness,” he murmured.

“Such perfect manners,” she murmured, fluttering eyelashes at him. It’s that Irish blarney coming out, I thought. I was just pouring coffee for the new arrivals when Edwina entered the room.

“Mr. O’Mara—you’ve come. I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you. You’ve heard our terrible news, of course. My grandson will need your guidance in the coming days.” She stopped, having just noticed Belinda, and raised her lorgnette up to examine her.

“And who have we here?” she asked.

“Your Grace, this is my friend Belinda Warburton-Stoke,” I said. “She motored down with Mr. O’Mara, and brought me some things I’d left behind in London.”

“Warburton-Stoke?” Edwina asked. “Hampshire family?”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Belinda said.

“I believe we have a cousin who married a Warburton-Stoke, don’t we, Charlotte?”

“Primrose Haversham, wasn’t it?” Charlotte and Virginia looked at each other for confirmation.

“I have a great-aunt Primrose,” Belinda said.