She put some sugar in her tea, stirred it, then took a long drink. “Ah, that’s what I needed. I’ve lived in America for years but the need for a cup of tea is bred into one, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “It certainly is. A wonderful comfort when all else fails. In fact . . .” I stopped, staring at her.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I think I can prove that you didn’t kill Mr. Goldman,” I said. “I must find the sheriff. Where might he be found?” I asked the guard.

“He was outside, searching the grounds with our guys,” he said.

“Super. Thank you.” I ran down the stairs, across the foyer and outside. Cold air was coming up from the ocean, giving the day a clammy feel to it. I made my way around the house until I caught the sound of voices coming from among the trees. Sheriff Billings was standing there with another man, kicking at something on the ground with his foot.

“Careful how you pick it up,” he said, then looked up with a start as I came toward him.

“Lady Georgiana. What are you doing out here? A spot of sleuthing of your own?”

“No, Sheriff. I came to find you. I think I can prove that Stella Brightwell didn’t kill Mr. Goldman,” I said.

“Oh really? Is that so?” He was smirking, which annoyed me. I hate it when men put on a superior “I’m a man and you’re only a woman” act.

“Yes, it is.” I gave him the stare I hoped I had inherited from my great-grandmother Queen Victoria. “I want you to cast your mind back to the crime scene. Can you picture the body, lying on the floor?”

“Of course I can.”

“How would you describe the wound to Mr. Goldman’s head?”

“Someone had struck him in the back of the head with considerable force, using a blunt object.”

“Correct. Was he struck directly in the back of the head? Right in the middle, would you say?”

The sheriff frowned. “More to one side.”

“Which side?”

“The right. The wound was more to the right.”

Now I allowed myself to smile. “I’ve just taken Stella Brightwell her breakfast, Sheriff. I watched her put sugar in her tea, stir it and then pick up the cup and drink. And all using her left hand. Stella Brightwell is left-handed, Sheriff. That blow could not have come from a left-handed person.”

Chapter 27

AT THE CASTLE

AUGUST 4