‘Mr Luckhurst told me that even years later it weighed on Mr Antrobus’ mind. Maybe what happened to him is connected in some way.’

Charlotte looked far away, seeing and not wanting to see. ‘It was a terrible time. And it all began so pleasantly, never a suggestion of the tragedy to come. We had dined and then retired to the drawing room. Mr Henderson said he would show us his collection of snuffboxes and went to get the key, but he was gone a long time.’

‘And all the company was in the drawing room when you heard the shot?’

‘Not all. Aunt Lily had been exclaiming on how long it was taking him to find the key and said she knew where it was to be found; it was in a cupboard in the hallway, and so she went to fetch it. And mother was feeling very tired so Harriett took her into the parlour. There was a chaise longue where Mr Henderson liked to recline when his head ached and Harriett settled mother there and sat by her and bathed her temples with eau-de-cologne. I was in the drawing room with Edwin and the other two aunts and father.’

‘So at the time you heard the shot the only person who was not in the company of anyone else was Aunt Lily?’

‘Yes, but only because she was looking for the key.’

‘Can you show me the study?’

‘Of course. It is never locked nowadays.’

The study was smaller than Frances had expected, and she thought that had the house been occupied by a family then it might have served as a nursery. It was furnished with a desk and chair, and there were bookcases, some of which were secured with glass doors. A few volumes stood on the open shelves, but there was no sign of any snuffboxes or pistols.

‘Lionel has taken all the items that might be of value to a collector and placed them in the bank,’ explained Charlotte. ‘He claimed it was to keep them safe, but we think it was to prevent us from selling them.’

‘You did not witness the scene of death, I take it?’

‘No, when we heard the shot Edwin told us to stay where we were and rushed out. Then when he came back – I shall never forget the terrible expression on his face – he said his uncle was dead, and he was sending for a doctor but there was nothing to be done. He told us all not to go upstairs. Then he went to fetch Aunt Lily and Harriett and mother and told them to join us. Aunt Lily had been in the hallway when she heard the shot, so she was nearer than anyone else and was in hysterics. She had been particularly fond of her nephew, and the shock turned her mind – she died not long afterwards.’

‘Do you think Mr Henderson’s death was an accident?’

‘I cannot permit myself to think it was anything else.’

As they returned downstairs the servant creaked up to meet them.

‘Mr Martin has come, I’ve shown him into the front parlour.’

Charlotte’s serious face broke into a happy smile. ‘Come, we will have tea.’

As Frances entered the parlour she saw the table already laid and her uncle Cornelius rose to greet her. Not only was he attired in the first new suit he had purchased in many a year but his hair was several shades darker than at their last meeting.

‘My dear!’ he exclaimed, beaming with delight, ‘it is always a pleasure to see you but most especially so today of all days! Please join us and allow me to share our good news.’

Frances took a seat, and Charlotte managed the teacups and plates.

‘You know of course that I have been a lonely man for many years, and after poor Phoebe passed away I never imagined that I would find contentment, let alone happiness, again. But how wrong I was! Miss Pearce – Charlotte I may call her now – has consented to be my wife.’

Frances had anticipated this development but perhaps not quite so soon. She reflected, however, as she offered her sincere congratulations, that neither her uncle nor his intended bride were of an age where waiting was normally advised. ‘And it is our pleasure to invite you to a small gathering to celebrate our betrothal next Sunday afternoon.’

‘We will only have a very few guests, as you may imagine,’ said Charlotte, ‘but it will be the happiest occasion this house has known for some little time.’

The servant arrived with the teakettle and Charlotte removed a cloth from a plate of bread and butter and unwrapped a plum cake that Frances felt sure was a gift from her uncle.

‘Have you decided on a date for the wedding?’

Charlotte smiled. ‘Not yet, but we do not plan a long engagement. It will be a small affair, as I hope that Harriett will be able to attend as matron of honour.’

‘And I promise there will be no firework display afterwards,’ said Cornelius solemnly. ‘Really I think they should not be allowed if they can cause such unpleasantness as is Mrs Antrobus’ daily lot, or if not then people who go to such things should be told to bring cotton to stuff their ears.’

‘Where will you reside?’ asked Frances. ‘Does Mr Lionel Antrobus still intend to take the house for himself and his nephews?’

‘I mean to speak to him on the subject. I think he and his nephews will be very comfortable if they take the ground floor and basement portions, and I will rent the upper floor. An investment I made many years ago has most fortuitously recently matured and will produce an income, and I will retain my present home and rent it out. There will be accommodation enough here for Charlotte and myself, and Harriett will live with us of course. I know I need to learn how to be very quiet around the house, but I am sure I can do so.’ He glanced at Charlotte with an obvious expression of affection that was warmly returned.

‘Do you think Mr Antrobus will permit this?’ asked Frances. ‘I do hope so, but he can be very unreasonable and has said he does not wish Mrs Antrobus to live under the same roof as her sons.’

‘I think I can persuade him to agree. The house will be run as two quite separate establishments. He will be on hand to ensure that this is so and I will promise to respect his wishes. Once the boys are older they may make their own decisions, of course.’

Charlotte gazed at her betrothed with happiness and confidence. ‘It will please Harriett so much to have them close and receive reports about their health and how their education is progressing. It is not, of course, satisfactory, but it is very much better than the present situation.’

‘And perhaps in the fullness of time, Mr Wylie might make your sister a happier lady,’ suggested Frances.

‘I had hoped so, but I fear that may never be. I have just learned that he will shortly be leaving London to return to Bristol.’

‘For a visit only, I would have thought?’

‘No, he sent a note to say that he intended to reside there. It was very sudden.’

Frances was mystified. ‘But I thought he was quite settled in London.’

‘So we all thought, but something has happened to make him change his mind. Perhaps some family business that demands his presence.’

The peaceful celebration continued, and toasts to the happy couple were drunk in copious amounts of tea. Once home, however, Frances found the business card Mr Wylie had given her on which he had written the address of his lodgings.

‘It might be nothing at all to concern me,’ she told Sarah, ‘but I need to know why he has so suddenly changed his mind, and if he is in a hurry then I ought not to delay.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Frances and Sarah went together to Mr Wylie’s apartments and found him busy packing his possessions.

‘Miss Doughty? Miss Smith? What can this mean? I am afraid I am in no position to entertain visitors as I am very shortly to depart, but if you have any news for me, please let me know it at once.’

He darted about the room as he spoke, a bundle of neckties in one hand and kerchiefs in the other.

‘I have just come from the home of Mrs Antrobus,’ Frances began.