‘Can I offer you something to drink?’ Sir Philip asked amiably.
‘Thank you, but no,’ Riley replied for them both. ‘I know you are planning a celebration this evening, so we won’t detain you for any longer than is absolutely necessary.’
‘Ha! Getting a year older is no cause for celebration in my book, but Ida will insist on making a big deal out of it.’ His smile faded. ‘You will have questions about the poor footman, I dare say. Presumably, since he was my wife’s lover, I am the prime suspect.’
‘Hardly,’ Riley replied, surprised by the other man’s candour. A genuine desire to help or a clever ruse to put Riley off the scent? He was unable to decide. ‘My first and most obvious question is about your willingness to allow the affair to go on beneath your roof.’
‘It is not my roof, Lord Riley, it’s Ida’s. Her money paid for the house and continues to pay for its upkeep.’
‘Even so, she is still your wife.’
Sir Philip smiled. ‘Ida is a unique woman.’ Salter cleared his throat and Riley knew he would be itching to say what he really thought. Riley shot him a warning glance over his shoulder. ‘Hard as it might be to accept for anyone who doesn’t understand our marriage, I am devoted to her, and she to me. She has given me three children, and they are all my progeny, to save you the embarrassment of asking. Ida and I have no secrets from one another and she did not stray from the marital bed until after she had done what she described as her duty and given me two sons. She understands my burning need to serve my country by playing political games in the corridors of Whitehall, and I understand her requirement to satisfy her appetites with younger men.’
‘An unusual arrangement in many respects,’ Riley remarked.
‘Honesty, do you mean? I could name a dozen marriages of convenience where one or both parties have taken lovers, but their conduct is never discussed, it’s just accepted. I would take great exception to being cuckolded. After our youngest was born and my desire no longer matched my wife’s, she asked me what we ought to do about it. As she herself pointed out, it would be impossible for her own reputation to be tarnished since it hadn’t ever recovered from her youthful folly. Despite her wealth, she was shunned by society, which precluded her from making the spectacular marriage she had been raised to aspire to. She laughs it off, but I know it still rankles. Anyway, she said that she would try not to embarrass me, and I have to say that she’s kept her word.’
‘Until now,’ Salter said, speaking for the first time.
‘Even now, Sergeant,’ Sir Philip said, an edge to his voice. ‘All society will know is that a footman employed in this household met with an untimely end. I hope the precise nature of his relationship with my wife will not have to come out, but if it does she will continue to enjoy my full support and we will weather this storm, just as we have weathered others before it.’
‘Thank you for your candour, Sir Philip,’ Riley said.
‘I see little point in prevarication. You already know what some might look upon as the sordid facts.’ Sir Philip offered Salter a meaningful glance.
‘I understand you attended a social engagement with your wife last night, and that you returned here together,’ Riley said.
A faint smile touched Sir Philip’s lips. ‘Well, I wasn’t in Clapham murdering my wife’s lover if that’s what you mean to imply. Although, of course, I understand that you have to ask. We dined with Granville, the foreign secretary, who was entertaining visiting dignitaries. Ida always shines in such situations, although I find them tedious. Anyway, we returned home at about ten o’clock. Gregg will confirm that, as will my valet.’
‘Thank you, Sir Philip.’
‘Anything more?’ he asked politely.
‘Just one thing. Were you aware that Ida planned to invest in a sporting club that Ezra hoped to open? It was to be a very large investment.’
Sir Philip raised a bushy brow. ‘No, I was not. She must have been very fond of him. She doesn’t ordinarily allow her heart to rule her head.’
Riley thought it telling that Sir Philip had not asked precisely how much his wife had intended to invest but, before he could formulate another question the door burst open and a young woman shot through it, looking distraught.
‘Papa, I have just heard the terrible news!’ she cried. ‘I can scarce believe it. Oh, hello, who are you?’
Riley stood, aware without having to be told that this must be Verity, Sir Philip’s son Gideon’s wife, and the lady whom Ida held in such low esteem. She was rail thin with sharp features and small eyes, expensively dressed in a dove grey gown that didn’t suit her sallow complexion. He also knew that she would have been told that Sir Philip was engaged and with whom. Even so, he inclined his head when Sir Philip made the introduction, pretending not to be irritated by the interruption.
‘Scotland Yard.’ She said the words as though she had a noxious smell beneath her nose. ‘Well, I cannot think why you are troubling dear Papa over this tawdry business. It has absolutely nothing to do with him.’
‘You must allow the officers to conduct their enquiries, Verity,’ Sir Philip said mildly.
‘It’s all so beastly.’
‘We are finished for the time being, Sir Philip,’ Riley said. ‘Thank you for your time. But as you are here, Mrs Randall, may I ask for a moment of your time?’
‘Me?’ She pointed a finger at her thin chest and widened her eyes. ‘What on earth for? I didn’t even know the man. He was nothing to me.’
‘Use this room, Lord Riley,’
