Eleanor waved the objection aside. ‘There was a tiny matter of that, yes. But after that, I thought it all went swimmingly well.’
Clifford nodded. ‘However, I have a grave concern that we are up against an even bigger hurdle this time.’
‘Don’t worry, Clifford, I shan’t accuse you of trying to murder me again, I promise.’ Eleanor paused, frowning. ‘Assuming, of course, you don’t try and kill me. I know on rare occasions I can be a tad annoying.’
‘I shall, my lady, practise the art of self-restraint.’ Clifford bowed magnanimously. ‘However, I refer us back to the opening of our conversation and the difficulties of being objective when one is emotionally caught up in the case.’
Eleanor closed her eyes and nodded. ‘I know, I know. I’m in the same place as the inspector, dash it.’
Clifford poured her another coffee. His voice soft, he continued, ‘Nevertheless, I believe young Lord Fenwick-Langham is most fortunate to have such a lady as yourself fighting his corner.’
Eleanor was taken aback. ‘How so?’
‘I have had ample chance to observe your dogged pursuit of justice, combined with your ceaselessly enquiring and resourceful mind.’
‘Thank you.’ Eleanor smiled. ‘But I think you meant stubbornness?’
‘Indeed. And, of course, you like to be proven right.’
‘Who doesn’t?’ She laughed. ‘Seriously though, where do we begin?’
‘Perhaps the most informative source might be young Lord Fenwick-Langham himself?’
‘Good idea! I’ll shove some more appropriate togs on.’ She looked down at her silk pyjama bottoms and housecoat. ‘And we’ll go talk the inspector into letting us see Lancelot.’ She dropped a quick kiss on the top of Gladstone’s head and then jumped up and instantly frowned at the ring of the doorbell.
‘Excuse me, my lady, the door,’ Clifford said needlessly.
‘Well, whoever it is, please send them away sharply, we’re too busy for visitors.’
A moment later, as Eleanor was draining her coffee cup, Clifford returned. ‘Lord and Lady Fenwick-Langham to see you, my lady.’
Six
A few minutes later, Eleanor entered the drawing room. Lady Langham rose from the Regency striped sofa.
‘Eleanor, my dear, we’re most dreadfully sorry to call unannounced.’
‘Yes, apologies, old girl.’ Lord Langham stared at Eleanor’s teal silk blouse and silver pleated skirt. ‘Dragged you out of your pyjamas by the look of it.’
‘Harold!’ Lady Langham slapped his hand.
Eleanor smiled. ‘It is a delight to see you. How are you holding up?’
‘Oh, my dear, it’s so awful.’ She pulled a flowered, lace handkerchief from her sleeve. ‘We haven’t slept a wink. And I can’t seem to eat the merest morsel.’
Lord Langham took his wife’s arm and guided her back onto the sofa. ‘Very bad business. Simply don’t understand what that Seldon fellow is up to.’
‘Er… Clifford, tea!’ Eleanor said.
He nodded and stepped from the room, failing to stop Gladstone from shouldering his way in.
Lady Langham dabbed at her nose. ‘Eleanor, my dear, we didn’t know where else to go. It’s such a delicate business and… oh, I am sorry, perhaps we shouldn’t have come.’
Lord Langham put his hand in her lap and closed his fingers around hers.
‘Yes, we bally well should. Eleanor, old fruit, look, it is dashed awkward, as the old girl has just said, but we need help and you’ve proved yourself such a resourceful girl.’ The couple looked at each other and nodded.
Eleanor looked from one to the other. When she had first arrived at Henley Hall she’d known no one. The Langhams had invited her over to the Manor and treated her as an old friend from the very beginning. Now she wanted to return the favour. But how?
A tap at the door heralded Clifford’s return with a full china service tea tray. Finger pastries delicately cocooned in lace paper doily cases filled the tiers of the silver stand.
‘Thank you, Clifford. Please do continue, Augusta.’
Her guests seemed to hesitate. She glanced at them, and then at Clifford. Of course, her butler was present and they had come to discuss a very personal matter. ‘That will be all, Clifford.’
Lord Langham jumped up. ‘I say! Perhaps Clifford might stay, what? Might need the both of you, eh? Brains and bravado, so to speak.’ He laughed uneasily and sat back down.
‘Absolutely!’ Eleanor said with relief.
‘Oh, Harold!’ Lady Langham took his hand in hers. ‘Perhaps I should do the talking.’ She paused, then seemed to make up her mind. ‘Eleanor, we were so impressed with all that you achieved back during that terrible business…’
‘Rotten business!’ her husband mumbled.
‘Yes, well, you and Clifford solved both murders and put the murderer away at great peril to yourselves.’ She paused and smiled weakly.
Eleanor nodded at Clifford who set about serving the tea. ‘That’s very kind of you to say.’
‘Well, the thing is. Would you be willing to help us? It’s absolute rot that Lance could have killed Pudders, and we’re desperate to see justice done for both of them,’ said Lord Langham.
‘Of course, Clifford and I will be delighted to look into the matter. We’re rather a team when it comes to, well, that sort of thing. Please do go on. Rest assured the conversation will not leave this room.’
Clifford offered Lord Langham a second milk jug.
‘Top hole, Clifford, much obliged.’ He winked at Clifford who poured what looked suspiciously like a large whisky measure into his tea.
‘So,’ Eleanor said, ‘shall we forget any awkwardness about whatever needs to be said? The whole situation is quite wretched, but isn’t that what friends are for?’
Lady Langham rose and hugged Eleanor tightly. ‘So like your uncle, my dear girl. So like him.’
Clifford passed the cake stand around. Lord Fenwick-Langham reached for one, hesitated, and then took two.
‘I say, Eleanor old thing, can you send your marvellous cook up to the Manor to teach ours how to make these simply delicious little beasts?’ He took a bite and nudged his wife. ‘Launch in, dearest, no point in beetling round the bush.’
Lady Langham stared at her tea. ‘It is the most awful thing to happen to the family since… well, I won’t bother you with our family tragedies.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I… fear that we’ve brought all this catastrophe on Lancelot’s shoulders ourselves.’
Eleanor looked from one to the other. ‘But how?’
Lady Langham laughed nervously. ‘There’s no easy way to say it, my dear. Regrettably, we’re… in temporary straitened circumstances. You know how it is when a few investments go awry.’
Eleanor nodded even though she had never had any money to invest in anything. Until, that is, she had unexpectedly become lady of the manor, inheriting her uncle’s modest fortune.
Lord Langham thumped the armrest, making Gladstone look up from beside Eleanor’s feet. ‘And then the tax ogre comes banging on the blessed front door demanding his pound of meat. Just when things are already on the wonk money-wise. Bally nuisance, especially when it upsets my good lady wife so.’