I do not own Miss Scarlet & The Duke.
Chapter 20
"How are we going to find these market ladies? The ones who obtain all the rumors?" Duke asks Eliza as he walks in step with her.
"Watch and learn, being a lady detective has its perks," she smirks and walks ahead. Duke tilts his head watching her walk away in that burgundy dress of hers.
Eliza begins walking through the market, stalling a little while at each vendor cart. She looks left to right before moving to the next one. She spies out a cluster of ladies and hears giggles and gasps coming from an alleyway near the market. She glances back at Duke and nods for him to follow her. He nods back to her and enters the market.
"Excuse me, ladies," Eliza beams as she worms her way into the group of housemaids. Some of them scatter but two remain.
"Yes?" They say in unison.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Eliza Scarlet. I'm a Private Detective," she says, offering her hand out to them.
"Oh a lady Detective, how inspiring," one of the women says, shaking her hand back. The other points just behind her, "And who is he? Your husband?"
"Oh no, this is..." She bites her tongue, unsure of what to call him. She cannot introduce him as Inspector right now, as he is not currently with Scotland Yard.
"Um..." she looks at him, hoping he will help her out. He sighs.
"Hello, I'm Duke." He nods to the giggling ladies, they look him up and down.
" The Duke?" One of the women fans herself, and the other looks at Eliza and says, "Aw, The Duke and Lady Eliza."
Eliza clears her throat, forcing a smile, "It's Miss Scarlet. "
"Duke. Just Duke ." Duke says at the same time.
"Anyway, ladies, may I ask your names? I'm investigating a crime and would like to ask you two a few questions about the rumors you have heard here at the market."
"Sure, I am Maribelle and this is my sister Arabella,"
Duke cringes at the mention of that name. He notices Eliza's body tighten a bit at the woman's words. He's sure that is not a coincidence. He's not a total fool.
"Lovely names," she emphasizes, looking back at Duke, sarcastically.
"Indeed," he says and then wishes he held his tongue as she looks back at him again in disgust.
What is he experiencing right now? Is this jealous Eliza? Or angry Eliza? He is not sure.
"Did either of you know Jane Plumbly?" Eliza continues on.
"Oh yes, poor Jane. She was the most innocent soul, but she was murdered." Maribelle whispers.
"They say it was arsenic!" Arabella chirps in.
"Who says?" Duke asks.
"Oh, just those who come through, full of gossip." Arabella smiles at Duke, fully infatuated.
"May I ask such as who?" Eliza says, bringing Arabella's attention back to her instead.
"Oh, just other maids, some from Jane's street." She says, fiddling with her basket.
"Do you know anyone who may have wanted to hurt Miss Plumbly?" Duke questions.
"No idea, handsome," Arabella says.
Eliza grits her teeth.
"Well, thank you, ladies, for all your help, we do appreciate it. Goodbye." Eliza pulls on Duke's forearm, leading him out of the alleyway.
"Do you want to talk about..." He begins,
"No," she cuts him off.
He nods, understood .
"If we believe Mr. and Mrs. Wright are innocent, and Robert, we are running out of…" Eliza begins when suddenly another female voice interrupts her.
"Mrs. Wright is not as innocent as she appears." She and Duke turn around to see another housemaid, hovering by the neighboring potato cart.
"And you are?" Eliza looks at the young woman.
"My name is Katherine Langmuir. I will talk to you, but not here." She gestures to an alleyway to the right of the market.
Eliza and Duke look at each other, nod, and follow Katherine into the other alleyway.
"I am the housemaid at the estate next door to the Wrights. Jane was my friend. I want justice for her, but I fear for my safety if this gets out. I mean look what happened to Jane. It could happen to anyone on the street with information. Jane told me she was about to expose them. It was not the Christian way of doing things."
Eliza looks at Duke and then back to Katherine, "Please go on,"
"Jane believed a man and a woman are meant to marry and be faithful. Adultery, well that is simply not allowed. With Jane's upbringing, it was suffocating for her to keep Mrs. Wright's secret. She was about to speak up, and then she was found poisoned the next day. I do not think that is a coincidence. You, Miss Private Detective, you need to look into Mrs. Wright." Katherine says quietly.
"Fascinating, you wouldn't have any knowledge of who she was having an affair with? Would you?" Eliza asks, taking notes.
"Usually, each year the Wrights arrive at their winter house in November and stay until the first week of May. This past October Mrs. Wright showed up alone to observe the installation of new wallcoverings in the home. A team of men were in and out of her home each day, but one of the men, who walked in, in the mid-morning on one day, did not walk out until the next morning, if you know what I mean."
Duke looks at Eliza.
"We have a break," Duke whispers to Eliza, "Thank you for all your help, Miss Langmuir." He nods to her.
"You have been of great assistance, thank you," Eliza nods at Katherine, observing her surroundings before leaving. No one seems to be watching them. Just the typical market gossip.
"Should we go interview Mrs Wright?" Duke asks.
"No, that would be putting Katherine or Robert in danger, any of those service people on the street."
"Fair enough." He states.
"Say, William, how many wallcovering stores do you know in the area that sell products so high-end that they would be acceptable in the Wright's home?" She asks.
"I'll ask Oliver, it is overdue that I visit him anyway." He says, nodding.
"Ah, see ." She beams.
He sighs, "What?"
"It's nice," she says, not eluding to her point.
"What's nice ?" He asks, words taut.
"For a Private Detective to have a resource at Scotland Yard, it comes in handy for us. I did not come to you often because I am a woman who needs a crutch."
"I never saw it that way," he explains.
"Well, you are the only one." She replies, arms crossed.
He works his jaw.
"You are plenty capable, Eliza. We both know we could search the wallcovering stores ourselves, but why not ask Fitzroy? He may have more knowledge on this than we do, what with all the estates his father owns?" He pleads his case.
"Oh yes, I will not stop you. He is an indispensable resource indeed. I need someone at least tolerable at Scotland Yard." She confirms.
"Tolerable? Ouch!" Duke takes a dramatic step back, gripping his heart.
"William, I am not talking about you. You know you have always meant a great deal. In fact, I may have had ulterior motives for visiting you so often." She smiles flirtatiously.
He approaches her, smugly smiling, "You don't say?"
"I enjoyed your company." She smiles, rose color flooding her cheeks.
"As I enjoy yours." He says, pulling her a bit closer to him.
And then in the whirlwind of the gossip market, the two of them share their first chaste kiss in public.
xxxx
"Did you have a nice conversation with Fitzroy?" Eliza asks Duke as he walks back into her office.
"I did." He says, lounging into the chair.
"And..." Eliza prods.
He looks at her, teasing, "It was a nice conversation, good to catch up,"
" And ?" She asks impatiently.
"Taylor's Stationery is our place."
"Ah, thank you." She pulls out her whiskey and two glasses. She pours a bit into each and hands him one.
"I was waiting for you to torture it out of me," he swigs his back.
"Ha, ha very funny," her eyes sparkle with playfulness.
"We ought to go," he says looking at his watch, "after you."
xxxx
"Here we are, Taylor's Stationery." Eliza says as she pushes the door open.
"Ah, Miss Scarlet," A man's voice says right away, the store is empty this late in the work day.
"I recognize you. And ... Inspector Wellington?" The man slides his glasses further onto his nose.
"Erm. No. I'm not with Scotland Yard right now." Duke rubs at his beard and clears his throat.
"Ah, I see, so uh... Mr. Wellington?" The store owner inquires.
"No, absolutely not," Duke's voice is brusque, "it's uh… Duke, just Duke."
" The Duke?" The store owner chuckles. Duke breathes in and looks at Eliza, annoyed.
"I know how it feels, believe me." She squeezes his elbow, "come on."
"So, Sir. I am sorry, what is your name?" Eliza asks.
"Oh, it's Mr. Taylor, owner of this fine establishment!" The man announces, coming around the counter to continue the conversation.
"Oh, pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Eliza Scarlet, Private Detective. You have already met, the Duke." Eliza discreetly teases William. He shakes his head, rolling his eyes at her.
"Mr. Taylor, may I ask you a few questions?" She asks.
"Sure, which kind is your fancy?" He excitedly states, pointing to the rolls of wallcoverings.
"Well first, erm, what all do you sell here?" She continues, not missing a beat with Mr. Taylor's enthusiasm.
The white-haired man leans on his cane and gestures his hand around the walls, "Well, as you can see I pride myself on these lovely wallcoverings and then also this beautiful stationery. The most beautiful and best quality you can find in London." He boasts.
"Do you create these wallcoverings yourself?" Eliza asks Mr. Taylor.
Duke gives her a questioning glance, his eyebrows the evidence of his confusion.
"Oh, well, no, I only sell them. I was in the manufacturing business when I was a younger lad, but now the storefront is where I belong." He says, knocking his cane onto the floor, acknowledging his older age.
"I have recently read quite a bit about the use of arsenic in wallcoverings, does yours contain it?" Eliza treads lightly.
"Oh Miss, you cannot believe everything you read. The arsenic is what gives the sheets the most vibrant colors." He smiles.
"Medical professionals say it is poisonous," she insists.
"Well, yes, if you lick it." He erupts in laughter.
Eliza fakely smiles and Duke right back at her.
"Who is your supplier for the wallcoverings?" Duke marches on in the line of questioning.
"I get them from Toddy & Co." He answers cheerfully.
"Toddy & Co? Perfect. Thank you for your help Mr. Taylor." Eliza smiles at the older gentleman and begins to exit.
At the last moment, Mr. Taylor says, "Are you sure I cannot wrap you up a sample for your home?"
"How extremely kind of you, but no, I prefer my walls to be lickable." She smiles sassily, and his brows cross in confusion. She strides out of the shop.
"Sir," Duke nods to the store owner and bows out after Eliza.
"Wallcoverings? What are you thinking?" Duke asks her once they have moved to the street.
"We most likely have our poison supplier." Eliza gazes up at William.
"Ah, yes. So, I wonder who at Toddy & Co is having an affair with Mrs. Wright? I smell motive and opportunity. Off to Toddy & Co. then?" He asks Eliza.
"How about tomorrow, the manufacturing warehouse is a bit far away, and I am rather famished. Are you not? We have been at this for hours." She glances up at him.
"Eating and sleep were a luxury for me at Scotland Yard." He explains to her.
"Not always, only lately, with the expansion. You were happy there, do not forget it." Eliza says, gazing into his eyes. He will not make eye contact, only flaring his nostrils.
Right when Eliza expects William to get frustrated with her chatter he says, "Would you like to go to dinner with me?" He moves closer to her, grabbing ahold of her hand and bringing it to his lips.
"Yes, I would." She smiles and places her arm through his, as they walk down the street to dinner.
"So Toddy & Co. tomorrow then?" He glances down at her and is met with a smile.
"Yes, Toddy & Co. tomorrow."