A Gilded Grave (9 page)

“Yes, miss.” The coachman climbed to the box and they drove away.

J
oe turned to his grandmother. “What was that all about? Is she still so angry over last night? There are more important issues here. They’ve arrested my apprentice for Daisy Payne’s murder. Why did she say that I knew he didn’t do it?”

“Well,” his grandmother said with a sigh, “I rather suspect she thinks
you
did it.”

Joe stared at her. “Me?” It came out in a falsetto. “That’s preposterous. Why on earth would she think that? She knows me better than that.”

“She knew you better than that.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ve changed in the last year, Joseph. You know you have.”

Of course he had. “That doesn’t make me a murderer.”

“No, it doesn’t. Come inside.”

He followed his grandmother up the steps to the house and inside, where she went immediately into the parlor. He found her standing at the drinks cabinet.

“I can see I’m in disgrace. Did Dee come for a visit or just to accuse me of murder?”

“You fool!”

Joe took a step back. What had he done to deserve such raw disapproval from Grandmère? What had Dee been telling her?

His grandmother poured herself a sherry and carried it to the fireplace, now screened for the summer.

“I would have poured if you’d asked,” said Joe cautiously.

“Fix yourself something. You may need it.”

With mounting concern, Joe quickly poured himself a drink and sat down in the club chair but immediately regretted it. It put him at a disadvantage to the avenging inferno who stood at the mantel.

“Good God, what have I done that warrants this treatment? Is it because I was uncivil to Deanna last night or that you believe I actually murdered that poor girl?”

“Neither, but I want to know exactly what happened and how you’re involved in it.”

“Terrible business. Will Hennessey came down to the warehouse today. He has ordered an autopsy. While he was at the warehouse, Sergeant Crum arrived saying he had orders to arrest Orrin. Will’s hands were tied. As soon as they left, I came here. I feel badly. Daisy was a housemaid at the Woodruffs’. I saw her last night as I was leaving the ball.”

“I know. You were seen.”

“Seen?”

“With the maid.”

“What are you getting at?”

“Deanna, poor child, came to warn me. It seems she overheard Cokey Featheringham and some of his cohorts at the Casino today.”

“Oh Lord. Daisy was sneaking out to see Orrin. They did pass by while I was trying to convince her to go back inside. Cokey made a few off-color jokes—you know how he is—then he staggered away. I can’t believe they even remember seeing me, they were so drunk.”

“Evidently, Cokey vividly remembers seeing you, the maid, the state of your undress, and I believe I quote, you were ‘taking her up against the wall.’”

Joe’s jaw dropped. “He actually said that?”

“According to Deanna.”

“Deanna heard this? Is that what she came to tell you?”

“Yes, and that the scandal will ruin our family even if they don’t hang you.”

“Grandmère, you know it’s pure bull. I never touched that girl. How could you even think that I might?”

Gwen didn’t answer.

“Deanna believed them? How could
she
think such a thing about me?” Joe had started to stand, but he sank back into the chair. “How does she even know about things like that?”

“She’s a woman, in case you haven’t noticed.”

“Of course I’ve noticed. You don’t understand.” He finished his drink. “Did
you
tell her such things existed?”

His grandmother slowly lifted one eyebrow. An expression that could make grown men cower.

Today it just made Joe angry. “Well, let me set your mind at rest. I saw Daisy sneaking out of the servants’ entrance. I was not in a state of undress. I’d only removed my tie because of the heat. I sent her back inside. Now she’s dead. I don’t know how or why. I informed Will Hennessey of all of this when he came to the warehouse this morning.

“There’s the whole truth, but please believe what you will.” He stood, outraged and mortified that he could be so misunderstood. “And let Deanna believe what she wants.”

“Oh, get off your high horse. It took a good deal of courage for her to come here and inform me of those things. She cares for our family very deeply.”

“I know.” Joe felt a laugh bubble up from deep beyond his anger.

“And just what’s so funny?”

“The idea of Dee’s righteous indignation. At least I hope
that’s what it was. She really said that I took the maid up against the wall? Gad. How will I ever face her again?”

“If I were you, I’d be more concerned about convincing her that you didn’t murder that poor girl.”

“If she actually can believe that, I—”

“You should marry her.”

“You think she needs a man to take care of her? That’s not like you.”

“Actually, I was thinking about you.”

“I can’t, Grandmère.”

“Don’t you love her?”

“I’ve always loved her. As a sister. I don’t know about the other.”

“Well, don’t take too long to figure it out. She’ll be snapped up quickly, I expect. She might be on her way to a Barbadian plantation before you know it.”

Joe shook his head. “Not if I have anything to say about it. Grandmère, I can’t explain now. But I need you to do two things for me.”

“I’m listening.”

“Use your influence with the mayor to have them release Orrin. His family is distraught and they need him. I’ll guarantee that he won’t flee. Though I may need to borrow some money for his, um, bail.”

“And bribes. What’s the other thing?”

“To convince Deanna to leave town with her mother tomorrow.”

“Why? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing about Daisy Payne and her murder, I promise.”

D
eanna meant to go straight to her room when she returned home. She was in a turmoil of disbelief, grief, and fear. She wanted to be alone, but she didn’t want to have to think.

She was loath to face Elspeth and have to tell her that her brother had been taken to jail. And she couldn’t tell Elspeth her fear that Joe, not Orrin, had been the cause of Daisy’s death.

But it was not to be. As she walked up the front steps to Randolph House, Dickerson opened the door. “Good afternoon, miss. Your mother would like to see you in the morning room as soon as possible.”

Which meant immediately. “Thank you, Dickerson. I’ll go to her now.” Walking more confidently than she felt, Deanna went to face her mother ready to plead, cajole, even prevaricate if necessary, in order to be allowed to remain in Newport. She couldn’t leave now. Elspeth needed to be home. And how could
she leave not knowing if Orrin—or Joe—would be charged with murder?

She reached the morning room all too soon, smoothed her skirts, pushed her shoulders back, and stepped inside.

Her mother was sitting at her escritoire, giving instructions to the housekeeper, Mrs. Beatty, but dismissed her when she saw Deanna.

“You wanted to see me, Mama?” Deanna said with as much aplomb as her racing heart would allow.

“I’ve spoken with your father. He assured me that this business with the maid is in no way dangerous for the rest of us. We agree that it would be best if you stayed here in Newport for the few days I must be away with Adelaide.”

Deanna wanted to shout with triumph but she didn’t dare. Any excited reaction would surely cause her mother to change her mind. “Yes, Mama.”

“I hope to have Adelaide back here weekend next, but if it takes longer, it’s preferable that you remain here and get to know Lord David better. Elspeth will stay with you. She’s upstairs packing a few things for you. I expect you to carry yourself with dignity at all times. Cassie Woodruff is a sweet girl, but has had no proper guidance and doesn’t know when enough is too much. Decorum, Deanna. Lord David may flirt, but he’ll want a wife who knows what’s expected of her.”

“Yes, Mama.”

“One other thing before you go.”

Deanna stood still, trying to breathe evenly and not fidget when she really wanted to hike up her skirts and run up the stairs to Elspeth. She didn’t understand how Adelaide could always be so demure.

“This is the worst of all possible times for Adelaide to be
indisposed. I’m hoping Dr. Meerschaum can prescribe something to keep her on her feet. It’s too bad for her to have to miss the festivities for Lord David and . . .” She gave Deanna intent look.

Deanna looked squarely back at her mother. “Lady Madeline?”

She saw the glint of surprise, then satisfaction in her mother’s eye.

“So you noticed that.” Jeannette Randolph didn’t explain what “that” was. She knew she didn’t have to. And Deanna thought that her mother’s disgruntlement at having to confide in her younger daughter, even tacitly, was mixed with a smidgeon of pride that Deanna had been so observant.

“You’ll have to keep an eye on that business. Men are a weak breed. They must be guided and kept from indiscretion.”

Deanna didn’t answer. She was much too overwhelmed by her mother’s speech. It was the first time her mother had ever spoken to her as if she were another adult.

“I understand, Mama.”

“Subtlety is key, Deanna. In all things.”

“Yes, Mama.”

“Now go and make certain Elspeth is packing all you need. Though I must say the girl knows her wardrobe.” Mrs. Randolph turned back to the list she’d been discussing with the housekeeper.

Deanna walked demurely from the room. She even controlled herself up the stairs and into her own room.

There were two large trunks open on the floor.
You’d think we were going on a trip of weeks and miles away, rather than a few days and a few blocks’ distance.

Elspeth came into the room with a pile of linen underdresses draped across her arms. Her face was composed but her eyes snapped with fury.

She knows about Orrin
, thought Deanna. And wondered who had broken the news to her.

“We’ll be staying with the Woodruffs, Elspeth.”

“Yes, miss.” Elspeth gently laid the skirts in the first trunk, then went back into the dressing room.

Deanna stood where she was.

Elspeth came back with her orange-blossom silk evening gown, one of the new gowns commissioned from Jeanne Paquin, one of Deanna’s favorite designers. The dress went into the second trunk.

“We’ll find out who did that to Daisy,” Deanna said while her brain cautioned,
Don’t make promises that aren’t in your power to keep.

Elspeth’s eyes flickered but she merely said, “Yes, miss,” and continued to pack.

Deanna sucked up her courage and followed Elspeth into the other room. “Elspeth?”

Elspeth turned around, eyes blazing. “He didn’t do it.”

“So you’ve heard about Orrin.”

“Ma sent one the of the little ones around to let me know.” She lifted another dress from its hanger.

“I’m sure it’s a mistake,” Deanna said, following her and mentally crossing her fingers in hopes that the mistake didn’t turn out to be Joe. “Joe will find a way to get him out of jail. In fact, he was at Bonheur just a few minutes ago talking to Gran Gwen. I’m sure that was why he was there.”

Elspeth faltered. “Do you think he can?”

“Gran Gwen has much influence among the old Newporters. I’m sure she will pull strings if she can.”

“I don’t know how. They’re always ripe to blame someone from our neighborhood. How do they know it wasn’t someone from yours?”

Deanna swallowed. “Well, I’m not. And I’ll help if I can. Even if it turns out to be someone from the cottages.” She sighed, followed Elspeth into the bedroom, and watched as she deposited the new gown on top of the orange one. They would just have to have the creases steamed out again. “But at least we get to stay in Newport instead of accompanying Mama and Adelaide to Boston. We’ll be on hand to help.”

“Yes,” Elspeth said, suddenly thoughtful. “And we’ll be at Seacrest, the scene of the murder. Oh, miss, do you think we might discover a clue the police missed?”

Elspeth’s words sent a chill up Deanna’s spine. She sat at her dressing table and stared into her trunk. Deanna knew she should tell Elspeth to leave it to the experts, but she didn’t feel that way. The police wouldn’t be allowed to question the guests, and they would have limited access to the Seacrest servants. Deanna and Elspeth, on the other hand, would be staying at Seacrest for the next few days. And they did have experience—if reading about crime solving counted.

“Perhaps, but, Elspeth, don’t get your hopes up. I know in our books the detectives always find the clue that leads them to the villain, but I don’t think it’s so easy in real life.”

“I don’t care if it isn’t easy. And as soon as we get there tomorrow, I’m going to start looking. I’ll tell them I’m to pick up Daisy’s things so as to return them to her mother. And if they haven’t been packed up, I can go to her room. Maybe she left a clue.”

Deanna thought the police must have searched Daisy’s things and taken away anything that might lead them to answers about her death.

But Elspeth didn’t need to know that. Already she was getting some of her usual animation back. It would give her
something to do while they waited to hear about Orrin’s fate, and make her feel useful—make them both feel useful.

When the packing was finished (and Elspeth had slipped their two latest dime novels in with the linen), Deanna gave her the rest of the evening off to visit her mother, then went down the hall to say good-bye to Adelaide.

Her sister’s bedchamber was dark. The drapes were pulled tightly over the windows, and Deanna started to back out of the room.

“Deanna?” Adelaide’s voice was a mere whisper, as if the sound was unbearable.

“Yes?”

“What am I going to do? Mama is afraid I’ve lost Charles.”

Deanna moved closer. “Now, what makes you say such a thing? Surely she didn’t tell you that.”

“No, but I’m sure it’s what she thinks. She’s not pleased with me, but, Deanna, I can’t help it. My head hurts so.”

Deanna took her sister’s hand. They had never been close, had always had separate interests and different personalities. “You’re not to worry about anything but getting well. I’m staying here and . . .” She leaned closer to her sister. “I’ll make sure Charles behaves himself.”

Adelaide’s eyes filled with tears. “I saw him looking at her.” She didn’t elaborate. It seemed that everyone had noticed the attention Charles had paid to Lady Madeline.

“Don’t cry. It will make your headache worse. Everything will be fine. I promise.”

Empty words, but at least they seemed to soothe her sister. Deanna kissed her cheek and stood to go. “Be well, and hurry back.”

Adelaide’s eyes closed and Deanna tiptoed out of the room.
She didn’t envy her sister having to take the long train ride up to Boston. But it would be better than returning to New York on the ferry. The waves would make Adelaide abominably ill. The rattle and lurch of the train would be torment enough.

T
he following morning, Mr. Randolph saw his wife and elder daughter off at the station. Then he accompanied Deanna to Seacrest. Elspeth had preceded them with the trunks, and Deanna prayed that she wasn’t off detecting without her. If someone saw them somewhere they shouldn’t be, it would be hard enough to explain if Deanna was there. They would suspect the worst of Elspeth alone.

Deanna wished the horses weren’t taking such a sedate pace or that her father wasn’t so broody in the opposite seat. Surely, he wasn’t having second thoughts about leaving her in Newport while he returned to New York.

“Does something worry you, Papa?”

“What? Oh, no. Nothing you should concern yourself with.”

And that ended the conversation.

Cassie ran out to meet the carriage as soon as it pulled up at her massive front door. She was wearing a light blue dress made of cotton lawn with a big dimity collar and sash. She lifted her skirts, skipped down the steps, and bobbed a quick curtsey to Mr. Randolph. “Lord, we’ve had visitors all morning. Mama has retired for a nap. But Papa’s here, Mr. Randolph, if you’d like to see him.”

“I think I will have a quick word with your father,” Mr. Randolph said, alighting.

Cassie took Deanna by the arm and they followed him up the steps. “It’s been so exciting around here with so many
people leaving their cards. This is going to be so much fun. This afternoon we’ll be completely lazy and sit out on the terrace. Mama insists.”

They went inside, where the butler was waiting at the door. He pursed his lips in disapproval at Cassie, who gave him one of her saucy smiles, then he bowed to Mr. Randolph.

“Mr. Woodruff is in the library, sir.”

“I think I will have a word before I leave for the city.” He followed the buttler down the corridor to the library.

Cassie and Deanna followed more slowly while Cassie whispered a convoluted story about a game they had played the night before. “The Manchesters learned it in Barbados. And it’s such great fun. . . .”

Deanna held Cassie back when they reached the stairs. She looked to make sure none of the servants were around. “Listen. There’s something you must know before we reach my room. The police have arrested Elspeth’s brother Orrin.”

“For killing Daisy?” Cassie’s eyes were huge.

“Shh. Yes, but of course he didn’t. Just be careful what you say around Elspeth. She’s very upset.”

“I’m surprised your mother kept her on.”

“I imagine she’s distracted. Her thoughts are completely with Adelaide getting her treatment.”

“And getting her back here before the season’s over. I don’t understand what’s wrong with your sister.”

“Migraines. She really suffers. I know everyone thinks she’s insipid, and she is, but she doesn’t pretend illness to be interesting. Though I don’t know who would think being ill is interesting. Anyway, please don’t tell anyone, especially the servants. They’ll find out soon enough, but I don’t want Elspeth ostracized for it. I’m sure he’s innocent,” Deanna repeated with as much
conviction as she could muster. In her heart, if it had to be Orrin or Joe, she’d rather it be Orrin.