[Berkeley Brigade 10] - Shadow of Murder by Joan Smith Page B

got confirmation of this. A wagon had been seen parked around that corner at approximately two o’clock that morning when Lord Heskitt was returning from his night’s revels. Unfortunately he had been three sheets to the wind and couldn’t tell them a thing about the wagon except that it had been there.
    In a fever of worry, the only thing Corinne could think that might help solve the case was to find out more about Miss Lipman. With this end in view, she went to call on Lady Cowper. She found the beauty about to leave the house. As Lady Cowper seemed secretive about where she was going, Corinne thought perhaps it was to keep a tryst with her lover, Lord Palmerston.
    “Corinne, lovely to see you. How is the collection going? You must have most of the goods in your possession by now.”
    “Yes, just one picture and of course Lady Clare’s diamonds, still to come in.”
    “And how is Miss Lipman working out? She’s a wonder, is she not?”
    “A great help. How did you come to take her in?”
    “I believe I mentioned her mama and mine were great friends. When Mama read of Mrs. Lipman’s death, she wrote Charlotte and invited her for a visit, which stretched to months till she could make some permanent arrangement, the one we all hoped for being a husband. It seems partis are scarce in Bath.”
    “How long ago was that?”
    “It must be two years now. Charlotte is one of those handy helpers to have around. Very good with writing letters and keeping track of appointments, and presentable enough to fill in for dinner at the last moment if someone can’t make it.”
    “Was she still staying with Lady Melbourne when you sent her to me?”
    “No, she came into a little money from an aunt and took rooms with the Sheltons. She hoped to land the son, of course, but nothing seems to be coming of it, so we keep finding work for her. It provides a little extra pin money, you know. She’ll surely nab someone before long. If she doesn’t won’t be for lack of trying. Any chance Sir Reginald or Coffen Pattle ...”
    “As you said, it won’t be for lack of trying. Actually she seems more interested in a young actor friend of Reg’s, Vance Corbett.”‘
    “An actor! Oh my,” Lady Cowper said, laughing. “Truth to tell, Charlotte is not overly nice in her friends. Mama had to speak to her about a certain Mr. Fell she was seeing.”
    “Not the man who runs that questionable gaming parlour!”
    “The very same.”
    “How could she have met someone like that?”
    “Some friend took her there one night. Charlotte is nearly thirty, you know, and one cannot treat her quite like a child. Nor quite like a servant, as her folks were genteel. She’s really a very nice girl, it’s just that she’s afraid of becoming an ape leader and will take up with anyone who owns a decent jacket.”
    “But she is reliable, honest?”
    “Mama never felt it necessary to count the spoons. Why, is something missing?”
    “Oh no!” Corinne said quickly. She couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for Miss Lipman, shuttled from pillar to post, and didn’t want to harm her character if she was innocent. “It is just that with so many valuables about the house I am checking up on everyone.”
    “Very wise. I see we made the right choice in appointing you to guard all the precious valuables. No one would dare to steal anything from the Berkeley Brigade,” she said with a laugh. “Such a lot of work for you, but I’m sure Charlotte is a great help. Quite a whiz with sums as well. When you’re through with her Mrs. Middleton is eager to borrow her to keep track of the accounts — money from the sale of tickets, expenses, and so on.”
    “Actually since the donations are pretty well all collected, I could let her have Charlotte now.”
    “That’s wonderful! Mrs. Middleton’s nephew is paying her a visit. Only a country squire and one of those chinless fellows, but with five thousand a year he would do admirably for Charlotte. He plans