“But should you not have a man to escort you?” Huxstep asked. “There is a murderer on the loose. I will be happy to come myself, or maybe the gentleman from London . . .” He looked at Mr. Smedley, who had been standing off to one side, looking extremely miserable.

Smedley shook his head violently. “Oh, no. Dear me, no. I do not wish to see that sight again. In fact, I think I should return to London.”

“You can’t go yet. You’ll be needed to make a statement to the police,” I said.

“But I had nothing to do with this. I just happened to stumble upon the body.”

Huxstep went over to him. “If you’d care to let me take your overcoat, sir, I will have some coffee sent through to the morning room until we ascertain what is to happen next.”

“Most kind,” Mr. Smedley said, relieved.

“And I will send Frederick with you, Your Grace,” Huxstep said firmly. “He can hold your umbrella.”

I saw how extremely tactful butlers can be. He was not suggesting that she needed protection, merely an extra hand to hold an umbrella. I didn’t give much for the umbrella’s chances against this wind, but I was glad to have a footman with us. After all, as Huxstep had pointed out, there was a murderer on the loose.

We stepped out into the full force of the gale again. Frederick struggled to hold the umbrella over us, but it wasn’t much use. The rain was being driven horizontally. The dowager duchess moved closer to me, and I offered her my arm. She took it gratefully.

“Were those young men of his not with him?” she said. “Usually they follow him everywhere like ducklings. If only they had been with him, this would not have happened.”

“I haven’t seen them at all this morning,” I said. “Your son’s valet said that his master was going to take another look at the site for his project before the architect came and also to post a letter.”

“Post a letter?” She looked surprised. “One of the staff could have done that for him.”

“He wanted to make sure it caught the early post, I understand.”

“I wonder what was in it that was so important?”

We walked on, each digesting this silently. I don’t know what she was thinking, but I was wondering whether somebody wanted to make sure that the letter was never posted.

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Cedric’s body was lying exactly as I had found it, its upper half hidden under his jacket.

“Don’t come any closer, Your Grace.” Frederick handed me the umbrella, then went forward to lift the jacket from the body. The duchess gave a small gasp of horror when she saw him.