[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
So he knew about the substitution?
He said he d suspected it from the time of his wedding. He d been looking closely at some of the
pieces his bride already had and, although they were the real thing, there were some other pieces he wanted
checked over. He d confronted his mother about it straightaway and they d had a blazing row. I explained it
had all been Jennifer s doing, it being her own choice what she did with her own things and he went well
130 www.samhainpublishing.com
Lessons in Seduction
it s the sort of thing old Freddie Franklin-Featherstonhowe would have called flipping berserk. Said that his
mother had no right to substitute some of the things, said that old Sir Laurence had always meant them for
his daughter-in-law. He was so mad I thought he was going to thump me.
So did you hit him in self-defence, Billy? Mr. Stewart desperately wanted that to be the case,
although the subsequent smothering of a helpless man suggested more calculation than acting in the heat of
the moment.
Ah. I could say yes but that wouldn t be entirely accurate. I didn t strike him until I d asked him
what he d done to his mother. Then I couldn t stop myself from, well, carrying out the deed. Not too proud
of myself, but where Jennifer was concerned I never had any restraint or logic.
Jonty wished he knew the exact words spoken. Had Billy Mustard been in total ignorance or had the
murder been for another reason, one that didn t seem likely to come to light? But he knew by then that she
had died of natural causes.
Then I wish he d told me and saved himself. But he didn t. He just kept telling me she d played him
false and then rambling on about how he bet she d never touched any of the pieces that Bertie gave her,
only the ones from Larry. He called her a I can t utter the word, Dickie, not here but when I heard him
say it I just snapped and belted him one with my walking stick. Always was a good aim he went down
like a bird at a shoot and then I, well, I finished him off. Not proud of it, should have given him a chance to
explain himself but he called her& he called his mother& Mustard didn t need to finish the sentence. His
hearers could guess what sort of name had been used and how it must have inflamed a man whose love had
suffered much but who d worshipped without question.
Jonty sighed. Why was life so ridiculously complicated and why did nice people do stupid and
illogical things?
&ð
The garden terrace of the Regal was awash with both sunshine and ladies disporting themselves in
what might be the final outing for their summer day dresses. Evenings were turning nippy and the days
would soon follow suit. The Stewarts, father and son, had a last commission to carry out and were
fortifying themselves with a glass of sherry when an attractive feminine voice behind them caught their
attention.
Miss Jordan. Jonty bowed.
Geraldine has an apology to make. Miss Jordan nudged her friend forwards, the pair of them
sporting cheeks redder than the roses on Miss Robinson s dress.
You ve saved us the trouble of finding you. Mr. Stewart indicated a bench, but the ladies declined
the offer to sit.
www.samhainpublishing.com 131
Charlie Cochrane
I was such an idiot, gentlemen. When I saw you at the funeral, Mr. Stewart, and then Lynette told me
your son was here, I knew you d soon be rousing out all that stuff about the jewels and poor Mr. Mustard s
secret would be revealed. The words tumbled out, accompanied by flustered movements of Miss
Robinson s hands. If I sent those notes, you might leave things alone. That s what I thought&
The trouble is you don t really think, do you, Geraldine? The words were spoken kindly, as Orlando
might upbraid his lover for being woolly headed. We re sorry if we distressed you, Dr. Stewart, Mr.
Stewart.
Distressed us? Papa was delighted when the first one came. Made him think he was a real detective.
Jonty glossed over things; he really didn t want to dwell on the matter. And the thought of Miss Robinson
strolling nonchalantly the short distance down from Ramsgate to post the note under their door, as if it were
nothing more than an invitation to tea, unsettled him. Will you dine with us before we leave? To show
all s forgiven? The sooner he could get these women away, the better.
It would be our pleasure. Come, Geraldine, let s take a stroll along the beach, I fear the weather s
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
