Page 60 of A Dangerous Vision

“Oh, well, Mr. Lance Pennington only visited the house on two occasions, if I recall correctly, and I observed them in the salon.”

When Gideon stared at her, as if awaiting more details, she shifted uncomfortably.

“If any private arrangements were made for visits outside of the house, that was nothing I was privy to.” The housekeeper seemed to consider the matter a bit more. “Miss Mahoney might know.”

“When was the last time you saw Mr. Percival Pennington?”

“Back maybe two weeks, sir. Miss Mahoney told me that he likely would be coming less as he had some complication that was occupying his time.”

“What complication?”

“A young lady he intended to marry and chose not to. Her father was most displeased. That's what I was given to understand from Miss Mahoney.”

None of this was news to Gideon, Electra knew, but he was giving the housekeeper that sort of undivided attention that often prompted witnesses to say more. But she didn’t, and he moved on to questioning mode once more.

“Was Mr. Pennington ever aggressive while he was here?”

She shook her head with seeming certainty. “No, sir, never. Not that I observed. He was popular with the ladies and took an interest in several of them.”

“I’m seeking his murderer, Mrs. Earnsley.” He’d extracted one of his cards and offered it to the housekeeper. “If you recall anything that might assist me, have a message sent to his address.”

Mrs. Earnsley examined the card with a soberness that indicated to Electra that she took Gideon’s charge to heart. She sensed no shielding with the woman as she had with Miss Eleanor Mahoney. Electra could not read her emotions in quite the same way, but she believed the housekeeper was telling the truth.

Once they’d departed, Gideon found them a carriage and called up Cordelia’s address to the driver.

Their partnership for the day was apparently coming to an end.

“Where are you off to after you deposit me at Russell Square?”

“To speak to Lance Pennington, or whoever might be at Mount Street at this hour.” He regarded her a moment before she turned to him. “And you?”

“I’d like to see how Cordelia is faring. The inquest must have been trying for her, but I’m glad Kit was there. He’d do anything for her.” Electra realized what she’d said and added, “Though not that.”

Gideon laid a hand over hers where it rested in her lap. “I have had a constable sent to check Sir Christopher’s voting record. He’s not a suspect in my mind.”

When he lifted his hand, it seemed too soon, and she almost missed the weight and warmth of it.

“I hope you may discover some crucial clue when you visit Mount Street.”

He nodded, and she noted, for the first time that day, how exhausted he looked. Electra wondered if he’d had any decent sleep since the case commenced.

“Me too,” he said quietly.

Chapter Thirteen

Electra stepped into Cordelia and Kit’s townhouse, and Mrs. Hurst greeted her, looking unexpectedly nervous.

“I'm so pleased to see you, Miss Poole.”

“Is something amiss?”

“No. Not at all. But you have a visitor who insisted on waiting for you. And since I didn't know when you would return, I thought I might have to send her away.”

As Mrs. Hurst took her overcoat, Electra glanced toward the drawing room’s half-open door. “Who is it and how long has she been waiting?”

“Only about half an hour, miss. She told me her name is Miss Beecham. She admitted that you weren't expecting her, but she was most insistent that she should wait.” Mrs. Hurst twisted her hands fretful. “I hope it wasn’t wrong to allow her to.”

“No, it's quite all right. I met Miss Beecham earlier today.”