A study in scandal by Robyn DeHart Page A

did. Perhaps starting a passionate affair with him would not be quite so difficult as she had first thought.

Chapter 7
    “Love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I place above all things. I should never marry myself, lest I bias my judgment.”
    The Sign of Four
    “W eston is simply arrogant, so he might be a tad reluctant to even speak with you. Ignore his attitude. He is perfectly honest. And Bethany is very shy, so she most likely won’t make eye contact. Be patient with her.” Amelia looked at him with eyebrows raised. It was the first time Colin had ever seen her look as if she were losing her patience. “Are you going to write any of this down?”
    “Amelia, all will be well. I promise I shall not abuse your servants.”
    She released a heavy breath. “Oh, wait, this one is important. Penny, she’s quite nervous. I believe she was quite ill to her stomach this morning. Oh, do be kind to her. She’s so young and sweet, and this has been the only position she’s been able to keep. She’s a bit clumsy and others have been less tolerant of such things. Even though any one of us could drop and break things—that sort of thing happens all the time. Chances are the nasty women who let her go have never even handled the teapots and whatnot in their houses, else they might have dropped and broken them as well.”
    He tried not to smile, tried not to be amused, because she was serious. Very concerned for those in her employ. He had to admire her for that. She was a kind woman who did what she could to ensure those around her felt no discomfort. He would be kind to her servants, but he would also do his job.
    “Please be at ease, madam, I promise your servants will be no worse for the wear. Now you must go. The longer you are in here, the longer they must wait. Which in turn might increase the unsettled nerves of some. Go. All will be well.”
    She eyed him for a moment more before standing. “You’re a good man, Colin. I trust you’ll be kind to my servants. Let me know if you need anything.” With one last glance, she left him alone in the study.
    He’d decided on doing the interviews in the room where the “crime” took place in case the perpetrator was here today. Forcing someone to answer questions in the location where the crime was committed often made that person nervous. And nerves often made people reckless and more open with the truth than they intended. It was a trick he had learned at the Yard. But more than that, he was here in the Watersfield home doing the interrogation because it put Amelia more at ease.
    The first to arrive was Weston, the butler. He was as Amelia described, arrogant. Colin had had a few interactions with him thus far and had seen the protective gleam in his eyes. Not to mention the strong streak of propriety that clung to the man. He answered all of Colin’s questions and remained calm. This was not the one he sought.
    One by one they came in, the housekeeper, the chambermaid, the laundry maid, a housemaid, and a footman. Colin only had one name left on the list. Penny. The maid who cleaned this room. The one Amelia had said was ill with nerves this morning. It could simply be a fear of losing her position, or it could be guilt. Only time would tell.
    The girl who entered the room was much younger than Colin had anticipated. She looked tobe only twenty or so, and her hands visibly shook at her sides. She gave him a small curtsy.
    “Sir,” she said quietly.
    “Hello,” he said. He smiled at her, hoping to ease her nerves. Even if she had a confession to make, he didn’t want her becoming ill. Especially all over him. “Sit,” he said.
    She complied and folded her hands in her lap. Her knuckles whitened beneath the clench of her hands.
    “Are you nervous?” he asked.
    “Yes, sir, a bit.”
    “Have you ever been questioned about something before, Penny?”
    “Yes, sir. At my last two posts. The ladies of the