‘Well, then, let’s take this letter at face value. It’s nothing incriminating on its own, mind you, just an invitation to begin negotiations. What about Evan’s report of the conversation?’
‘He might have coloured it, but why would he bother? Even if he’s embellished it a little, I think the general gist – Herr Kovacs wants to buy the team, Mr Waterford doesn’t want to sell, and Kovacs expected the crash to help him – is probably dead-on. Again, unless someone else’s hand is guiding him, I can’t see what he has to gain from making it up.’
‘Aside from the money you gave him,’ she said.
‘He’d have got that whatever he told me,’ I said. ‘He could have made up any old story, but the story he tells fits our own ponderings precisely.’
‘True, true. And he had no idea what our ponderings were. I’d say this puts Herr Kovacs squarely in the frame.’
‘It certainly does seem that way,’ I said. ‘I’ll make sure Evan keeps an eye on him.’
‘Thank you. Right, well, we’ve had our little breather. One more set for the match, then I can pass out in a flowerbed somewhere.’
‘I thought there was croquet next.’
‘Blasted croquet. Don’t remind me.’ She stood. ‘Ready, Roz?’ she called. ‘One more set should do it, don’t you think?’
Mrs Beddows thrust her spare racket into Miss Titmus’s hands and stomped on to the court.
I felt a tap on my shoulder.
‘What have I missed?’ asked Betty.
‘I’ve only just got here myself,’ I said. ‘I gather Mrs Beddows is being roundly thrashed, so there might have been some interesting tennis. On the other hand, Lady Hardcastle claims she’s struggling a bit herself, so it might not have been so thrilling after all. Oh, I say!’
Lady Hardcastle’s forehand passing shot had left Mrs Beddows looking helpless and bewildered in the middle of the court. Bewilderment rapidly gave way to her customary look of displeasure. She caught Betty’s eye, and indicated with a flick of her head that Betty should be on the other side of the court with Miss Titmus. I walked with her.
‘I’m for it now,’ said Betty as we rounded the baseline. ‘Somehow, that will definitely have been my fault.’
Miss Titmus was sitting on the bench, nursing the spare tennis racket in its press. Her own racket was leaning against the bench.
‘Hello, you two,’ she said as we approached. ‘Come to watch the mighty gladiators at battle?’
‘Something like that, madam,’ I said. ‘Though we seem to have missed the best of it.’
‘It was the best of games, it was the worst of games,’ she said distractedly as Lady Hardcastle sent a perfectly judged lob sailing over Mrs Beddows’s head. ‘Poor Mrs Beddows hasn’t stood a chance.’
Mrs Beddows stalked back to the baseline to serve.
‘Bad luck, Roz,’ called Miss Titmus. ‘Lovely shot, Emily.’
The game was a short one, with Mrs Beddows’s service well and truly broken. She had managed to score no points at all, but there was no love in her eyes as she stalked back to her bench.
‘It must be this racket,’ she said. ‘Give me the other one.’
Miss Titmus meekly handed her the racket. Mrs Beddows snorted frustratedly as she loosened the screws holding the press. I got the feeling she had expected her friend to do it for her.
‘What are you doing here, Buffrey?’ she said. ‘I thought you were mending my dress.’
‘All done, madam,’ said Betty. ‘I thought I’d come and cheer you on.’
Mrs Beddows snorted again. With a peremptory flick of her fingers, she indicated that she wanted the glass of cordial. Smiling, Miss Titmus passed it to her.
‘I’d better get back,’ said Mrs Beddows. ‘Keep an eye on that Hardcastle woman. I’m sure she must be cheating somehow.’ She glared at me.
‘Oh, Roz, don’t be so silly. She’s a very good player, that’s all,’ said Miss Titmus.
Mrs Beddows stalked down to the other end of the court.
‘She didn’t mean it,’ said Miss Titmus. ‘That your mistress is cheating, I mean. One shouldn’t speak ill of one’s friends, but Mrs Beddows has never been a gracious loser.’
‘Thank you, madam,’ I said. ‘But please don’t worry. I’m surprised and delighted that Lady Hardcastle is doing so well. I’m certain she isn’t cheating. Though I’m equally certain that if she were, we’d not be able to spot it. She’s quite the dab at underhandedness and skulduggery when she puts her mind to it.’
Miss Titmus laughed. ‘Surely not,’ she said.
‘You’d be surprised, madam,’ I said. ‘There’s a Prussian colonel who lost his fortune, his mistress, and his political influence all on the same night thanks to Lady Hardcastle’s skills with a pack of cards. All for king and country, of course.’
‘King and country?’ said Miss Titmus.
‘A diplomatic incident was averted.’
‘Gracious. What happened to his mistress?’
‘He had to take back the diamond necklace he’d just given her. A gentleman must settle his debts. She didn’t stay long after that. Who would have thought bridge could be such a dangerous game?’
She laughed again. ‘I never know whether you and Lady Hardcastle are teasing me,’ she said. ‘Oh, I say, good shot, Emily!’
The set didn’t last long. Mrs Beddows stomped over to us and all but threw her racket at Betty.
‘I need to change for croquet. Hurry up, Buffrey.’
She marched away in the direction of the house. Betty gathered up the two tennis rackets and hurried after her.
Lady Hardcastle came over to join us.
‘That poor girl,’ said Miss Titmus. ‘Roz runs her ragged. I’m sure she doesn’t mean to. She seems to have a lot on her mind at the moment. She’s been very distracted lately, you see. I think’ – she looked around to make sure no one could overhear her – ‘that her husband’s affairs are becoming a bit more . . . blatant. I’ve tried to talk to her, you know, get her on her own, but I never seem to be able to.’
‘Beard her in her lair one evening,’ said Lady Hardcastle.
‘I’ve tried that, but she never seems to be in her room. Do you remember the party? Oh, it seems so long ago now, after what’s happened since. She was so distracted. I tried to speak to her after that, but I couldn’t find her.’
‘Not in her room?’ asked Lady Hardcastle. ‘When was this?’
‘Oh, I don’t know. It must have been about three o’clock. She was probably out walking the grounds, poor thing. But I do wish she wouldn’t take it out on Buffrey. I don’t know how she puts up with it.’
‘Betty?’ said Lady Hardcastle. ‘I’d intended to divert some of the fire, but I seem to be too late. Ah well. I say, perhaps you should offer her a job, Helen. Lure her into a more unruffled life. Surely you could make use of a lady’s maid?’
‘Perhaps I should,’ said Miss Titmus. ‘It might be fun to have an ally against my housekeeper.’
Lady Hardcastle put her arm around Miss Titmus’s shoulder, and we all started walking. ‘You’re a perfect match, you two,’ she said. ‘Where are they off to, anyway? I thought the croquet lawn was this way.’
‘It is. Roz has gone to change.’
Lady Hardcastle laughed loudly enough to draw curious glances from the gentlemen. They were also packing up, ready for the main attraction: the great croquet match.