when Josephine dies, how prevalent is the rumor that Winston killed her?
I'm thinking about how the Fitzroy children denying anyone being at fault for her death but then kicking him out for "unfaithfulness" is almost more damning in terms of "yeah he totally did it, we just can't prove it/can't take THAT much scandal/etc" gossip. even though it's not actually true, it's such an easy conclusion for outsiders to come to
yeah you've hit the nail on the head - almost everybody, especially in the nobility and merchant classes, think that the fitzroys know winston did it but either couldn't prove it (if theyre sympathetic) or covered it up to avoid crown scrutiny (if they arent)