Page 49 of Honor Unbound

“That Mr. Hicks would appreciate it if you visited a bit more,” Marie added. “He says you haven’t paid the workers.”

Mrs. Trent glared at my maid. “I’ve had a funeral to plan. The authorities to deal with. A daughter to console.”

A lover to entertain, as well. I had a hard time giving credence to her being too busy to go to the bank while the affair went on uninterrupted.

“My dance card has been quite full,” she continued.

“A word of advice from one woman of business to another, as that is what you now are.” I stamped the tip of my walking stick into the rug. “There are some things you can’t let pass, and one of those is paying your workers. Not if you want them to be available when you do finally feel up to running the company. Either sell now or start managing it. If you wait, there might not be anything left to sell.”

Mrs. Trent dropped her arms, clasping her hands in her lap. “Driscoll has said the same. You are both right. I will be more attentive.”

I nodded, hoping I hadn’t just given financial advice to a murderess. “Now, where were you the night your husband was killed?”

Mrs. Trent’s jaw dropped open. She blinked at me before dropping her head back and loosing peals of laughter. She laughed until tears streamed down her cheeks.

Marie and I shared a worried look.

Mrs. Trent pulled a handkerchief from the sleeve of her gown and dabbed beneath her eyes. “Oh, Lady Mary, you do amuse me. There is no subtlety to you at all.”

My spine snapped straight. I could be subtle, if the occasion called for it. “I’m glad you find this so diverting. Now, can you answer the question?”

Her laughter wound down. “You know where I was. Driscoll told you.”

“Mr. Gray said the two of you were together.” I sniffed. “Do you confirm this?”

Mrs. Trent gave her a solemn look, but her eyes still danced with mirth. “I so confirm.”

I should never have given this woman advice of any kind. She deserved no such consideration.

Marie nudged me with her elbow. “Calm your temper,” she whispered.

I took my maid’s counsel. “Can anyone other than the two of you confirm that you were together at his house?” I asked, proud at how cool my voice sounded.

“My driver.” She pursed her lips. “His footman. Oh, and a maid brought us a bottle of wine in the early morning hours. Does that suffice?”

Not when all of those witnesses worked for the suspects. They had wages to lose if they disagreed with their employers. I tried a different tack. “Do you know the tool that is used at your husband’s factory that smooths the rough edges of the tins?”

“The metal file.” Mrs. Trent’s forehead furrowed. “Yes. They’re littered all over the factory. Why?”

“Do you know if your husband kept any at home, in his study perhaps?”

She blinked. “Not that I know of.”

She was either a very good actress or didn’t know that a file was the suspected murder weapon.

“Annalee!” Mrs. Trent’s name reverberated throughout the house. “Your daughter has eaten all of tonight’s pudding.”

Mrs. Trent muttered an oath, standing. “If you’ll excuse me, I must go calm my sister down.”

Marie and I rose, as well. “Thank you for seeing us.” I wasn’t sure that would be allowed to happen again. I circled the settee, my knee banging into the small side table. I steadied it, then paused.

I wouldn’t have noticed the light coating of dust on the table if there hadn’t been a small clear patch in the shape of an oval.“The swan.” I thought back. That Mr. Randall had been playing with when they’d last been in that room. “It’s missing.”

Mrs. Trent strode over and peered over my shoulder. “Drat. I’ll ask my daughter where she put it. I hope I can replace it before my sister notices. Otherwise, I’m blaming the cat.”

Marie nodded. “They do like shiny things.”

We took our leave.