Free Quick, Amanda by Late for the Wedding

deliberately lured Fullerton
    up to the roof. We must see if there is anyone who can identify her."
    Beaumont beetled his brows at Drum.
    The butler assumed an impassive air. As his lordship has indi
    cated, the maid was likely one of the village girls taken on
    temporarily. She no doubt panicked when Lord Fullerton suffered
    his unfortunate accident and fled the castle before she could be
    questioned. She certainly had every incentive to disappear. After all,
    if word spread locally that she had been caught entertaining a
    gentleman alone on the roof, she would have an extremely difficult
    task finding other employment in the neighborhood."
    It is also possible that she is still right here in the castle," Lavinia
    said forcefully. We must assemble the entire staff as well as the
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    guests and question them."
    Beaumont turned red. His mouth opened and closed several
    times before he finally managed to speak. Question the guests? Are
    you mad, Misses Lake? You will do no such thing. I forbid it."
    Sir, we may be talking about a matter of murder."
    Fullerton was not murdered. It was an accident."
    We have every reason to think"
    Think what you wish, Misses Lake. But this is my house and I will
    not allow my guests to be inconvenienced any more than they have
    been already."
    This approach would gain them nothing, Tobias thought. He
    looked at Beaumont. You agree that Fullerton was with a woman
    shortly before he fell but you do not think she had anything to do
    with his death?"
    The man was in his cups." Beaumont took a hefty swallow of his
    brandy and lowered the glass. He lost his balance. That is the end
    of the matter. A great tragedy, but certainly not a case of murder."
    It was a pity that Beaumont had recovered from his earlier confusion and had acquired allies in the shape
    of his butler and the local
    doctor, Tobias thought. The situation was back under control so far
    as his lordship was concerned and he had reasserted his authority.
    One could hardly blame him for not wanting to acknowledge the
    scandalous possibility of murder. That sort of gossip could hang
    around for a very long time.
    Sir," Tobias said evenly, allow me to tell you that in my professional opinion there are a number of
    questions relating to this affair
    that should be answered. With your permission, I would like to
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    continue my inquiries into the matter."
    That is quite impossible, March." Beaumont slapped his palms
    flat on the desk and surged to his feet. This has gone far enough.
    There has already been entirely too much disruption in the house
    hold. Lady Beaumont is extremely overset."
    Lavinia tapped one toe on the carpet. Tobias could see the fulmi
    nating expression in her eyes. He tried to signal her but she ignored
    his silent warning.
    Lady Beaumont's concerns are quite understandable, sir," she
    said briskly, but as we have just explained, we may well be dealing
    with a matter of murder. Surely, under the circumstances, a few
    discreet questions are warranted. They will pose no great inconvenience to your guests."
    For the last time, I have determined that this is not a matter of
    murder." Beaumont bristled. And I will be the judge of what consti
    tutes an inconvenience to my guests, madam."
    Sir, I really must insist that you allow us to investigate," Lavinia
    said. I assure you that we have had experience in this sort of thing
    and."
    Beaumont reacted very much as Tobias had anticipated. His lord
    ship exploded.
    You insist?" Beaumont's round face turned an unsightly shade of
    purple. You insist, Misses Lake? Who do you think you are, madam?"
    Tobias exhaled deeply and prepared himself for the inevitable.
    And she had the nerve to accuse him of not being sufficiently diplo
    matic with clients, he thought.
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