Many thanks to my wonderful beta reader and co-author Sam. H.
Late December 1812
Lady Phelps stood at the window watching Mr. Thornton's carriage drive away. Her rigid pose and clenched fists betrayed the depth of her anger. The report the investigator left with her was crumpled in her hand, unawares to her. That ridiculous man! How dare he close the investigation claiming there was not enough evidence to charge anyone, let alone Mr. Bingley!
She thought back over the last hour when he had shown up at their door.
"Lady Phelps, thank you for taking the time to meet me. I wanted to apprise you of the status of my investigation before I put it to rest."
"Put it to rest? Who have you brought charges against, for the murder of my brother?"
"Madam, I regret we did not find enough evidence to charge anyone. None of the witnesses gave enough information to point towards a specific suspect and each of the individuals we looked into, had alibis for the time of the murder. Allow me to take you through the points of my investigation and give you an understanding of how I reached this point."
"I spoke with the Coroner, he confirms your brother was shot only once, and perished from that wound. At the scene itself there was very little to go on. Whoever it was that pulled the trigger, took the gun with them when they ran. My men did a sweep of the area but found no weapon."
"As for the witnesses, a young boy claimed to have seen three individuals right before the incident: a middle-aged and an older gentleman he had never seen before, and Mr. Stevens. An artist worked with the boy to portray all three men, but really, when it came down to it, there was not much to go on."
Thornton continued, "Other witnesses claimed to have seen a blonde woman right after the shooting, but if you are aware of your brother's… ahem, activities, you may already realize it was Lady Marianne leaving, after their rendezvous."
Thornton stopped talking, seeing as Lady Phelps was getting agitated again. "Madam, shall I request a drink be brought in for you?"
"Yes, I will have refreshments brought in. One moment." She pulled the cord and when a footman entered, she requested tea and madeira to be brought in. The investigator declined anything stronger than tea.
Thornton continued to enumerate all the details of the investigation, including who was investigated and why they were ruled out. Even Lady Willow had been investigated, but deemed not applicable.
"Your sister-in-law was most distraught at the loss of her husband. I believe she was quite in love with her husband and had absolutely no motive to have him murdered.
Lady Phelps flipped her hand, "That mouse would never have the gumption to make such a decision, she thought her husband was perfect. Ha! If she only knew." She muttered lower, "He only married her for her dowry and she was easily manipulated…"
In short, they had started with several suspects, but none lead to the actual culprit and with no other option, he must close the investigation as unsolved.
As he came to the end of his report, Mr. Thornton noticed Lady Phelps had ceased paying him any attention. He could hear her muttering to herself under her breath. "...But Mr. Bingley, I know he did it, he had every reason to want my brother dead, after what he did to Caroline Bingley"
"I beg your pardon madam, what exactly did your brother do to Caroline Bingley?"
Startled, she stopped speaking before she could say anything further. "Nothing."
He looked closely at her a moment longer, "As I was saying, regretfully, the case is being closed as unsolved."
"No! I am sure you are mistaken, you must continue your investigation and find the evidence you need to charge that Bingley man!"
"Lady Phelps," he spoke calmly, in a soft voice, " Mr. Charles Bingley was not even in London at the time the murder took place. He left town two weeks prior and has not been seen since."
She began pacing back and forth, unable to contain her agitation. Speaking so low, she was barely heard by anyone else in the room. No... that is not possible… I know he was there… He must have done it... He had every reason to make my brother pay." She paced even faster along the floor. "He must pay, I will see to it, he will pay for taking away my beloved brother."
Unsure he was hearing correctly, Mr. Thornton forcefully broke into Lady Phelps ranting "I assure you our investigation left no stone unturned. However, I must warn you, Madam, against taking the law into your own hands if you think to pursue your own vengeance."
Seeing she was no longer paying him any attention, he bowed his goodbye and walked out of the room. Meeting Sir Walter in the entrance hall, "My Lord, I am afraid your wife is quite distressed. I felt it best to leave, as my presence was no longer necessary."
Sir Walter bade him goodbye and Thornton exited the house.
Concerned for his wife after she had to listen to the investigator's report, he walked to the drawing room to find her. As he stepped to the doorway, what he saw made him stop in his tracks. Eleanor looked practically unhinged. She was pacing and pulling at her hair. Well, attempting to. Whatever it was she was clenching in her fist, was hindering it. About to approach her to help ease her distress, he overheard some of her speech.
"My brother never should have died, he was perfect. The best brother a sister could ask for. He was there for me all through my childhood, protecting me and providing entertainment when we were left all alone. Even protecting me when Father showed up with all his drunk friends. Frederick was perfect, he deserved everything he wanted. I miss him so much he never should have died. How can I continue to live without him…." She kept muttering, her voice rising and falling so he could no longer hear her.
What he did hear was more than enough. Sir Walter could not catch his breath and backed out of the room to sit in a chair against the hallway wall. What just happened! He could not fathom what he overheard coming from his wife's mouth. He will send her maid in with a drink containing a drop or two of laudanum. It must be the shock. Everything will be well in the morning. At least, he very much prayed it would be so.