Murder at Renard's (Rose Simpson Mysteries Book 4) (30 page)

‘Were you very shocked to learn the truth?’

‘That’s what’s so funny. I think I’ve always known it, without knowing, if that makes any sense. You see, it had always seemed rather strange to me that we had no living family or relatives to speak of. My mother never really liked to talk about them. It was as if they belonged to a past, forgotten life.’

‘In a way, I suppose they did.’

‘It was rather careless of my mother to leave that letter lying out on her desk addressed to Madame Aubert, wasn’t it?’ said Jacques. ‘Is that what made you guess the truth?’

‘Yes,’ said Rose. ‘I couldn’t understand why she had been so upset when I picked up some of her papers that had been scattered on the floor. I’d glanced at them idly when gathering them up, as one instinctively does without thinking, and she practically snatched them away from me. From what you said in your interview, she reacted in a similar way when she caught you going through her papers looking for your sketch. I racked my brains trying to remember what I’d seen and remembered that a piece of correspondence had been addressed to a Madame Aubert and I wondered whether she was in fact your mother. If she was, there was really only one logical explanation as to why she would pose as Madame Renard.’  

‘I see. You put two and two together and came to four, just as Sylvia must have done,’ said Jacques. ‘You’re awfully clever, Rose, but I expect you already know that. No, don’t try and protest, a woman really must accept a compliment when it’s given.’ He became serious. ‘One thing has been worrying me terribly about all this. I know Sylvia had her faults, but I can’t quite bring myself to believe that she sunk so low as to blackmail my mother.’

‘I don’t believe she did, not really. I think she merely hinted to your mother about what she had found out. It understandably put your mother in a panic. She was very careful how she treated Sylvia from then on, lest she should say anything. It meant that she was obliged to tolerate her many faults.’  

‘Ah, there you two are,’ said Inspector Deacon, appearing from behind the curtain. ‘Miss Jennings is asking for you, Monsieur Renard. Allow me to take on your drying up duties.’

‘Righto, Inspector.’

Jacques darted eagerly out of the room.

‘There’s not much left to do, Inspector. Only this cup and saucer and we are finished.’

‘Actually, I offered to do this because I wanted to have an excuse to talk to you.’

‘Ah, how very useful washing up is in that respect,’ said Rose smiling.

‘It is indeed. Look here, Rose. I’m not much good at this sort of thing.’

Rose dropped the cup she had been washing. A cold sensation of panic came over her like a wave.

‘I –’

‘Please let me finish. I want to apologise for my attitude towards you during this investigation. I haven’t been quite myself since being shot. It’s put me on edge, you see, always fearing the worst. I was dreadfully afraid that you would place yourself in danger. I wanted to protect you. I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to you.’

‘It’s all right. I understand. It was awfully kind of you to care so much about my safety. I daresay I can be quite annoying when I put my mind to it.’ She smiled up at the inspector and felt the wave of panic subside. Much to her annoyance, she also felt a twinge of disappointment.

‘Rose, there’s something else. Something I want to tell you. You must know how –’

‘I’m leaving Renard’s,’ said Rose very quickly. ‘That’s why I wanted to help solve this case so very much. I thought I owed it to Madame Renard. She’s dreadfully upset that I’m going. I couldn’t leave her with an unsolved murder on her hands as well.’

‘Leaving?’

‘Yes. Didn’t you hear Mary say how she was in charge of appointing the new shop assistants? They’re to replace me, and poor Sylvia, of course.’

‘But why? I thought you liked it here.’

‘I do, but –’

They heard someone walk into the room. The next moment a figure appeared beside the curtain.

‘Hello, you two. That fine sergeant of yours said you were here, Inspector. It’s good to see you again, Deacon. I heard about your shooting. A dreadful business. Glad to see you’ve fully recovered. Darling, have you told the inspector our news?’

‘Cedric!’ cried Rose, and promptly rushed into the arms of Lord Belvedere, who looked somewhat surprised but not at all displeased by the turn of events. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’

‘So am I,’ said the young earl. ‘My business at Sedgwick finished earlier than I had anticipated so I decided to motor down today instead of tomorrow. Hope that’s convenient. Are you all packed? I’m staying at my club tonight and thought we could have a spot of dinner together and then go on to a night club after, if you’d like to, of course.’

‘That would be delightful.’

‘Oh, I say, Deacon, do beg my pardon, how terribly rude I’m being.’

‘Not at all, my lord. You mentioned some news?’

‘Yes, hasn’t Rose told you? I thought she might have done. We haven’t given it out yet. There will be an announcement in the newspaper tomorrow.’

‘An announcement?’

‘Yes. Rose and I are engaged, Inspector. She has very kindly agreed to marry me and become the next Countess of Belvedere.’

‘I say, that is good news. May I offer my congratulations, my lord? And to you too of course, Miss Simpson.’ Inspector Deacon made a half bow, which prevented Rose from seeing his face.

‘Thank you. Now, I don’t want to appear rude, Inspector, but I’m afraid we really must go. Rose, I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve arranged for us to drop in on a couple of friends of mine who are dying to meet you before the big day.’

‘Not at all,’ replied Rose, wiping her wet hands on a towel.

‘I say, you probably won’t ever have to do that again, darling, wash up, I mean,’ said Cedric laughing. ‘You’ll have a house full of servants to do that sort of thing for you.’ Holding Rose by the hand, Cedric turned to look back at the inspector. ‘Goodbye Deacon. I daresay our paths will cross again.’

‘I look forward to it, Lord Belvedere,’ said Inspector Deacon, catching Rose’s eye. Try as she might, she found it impossible to read his expression.