“Yes. Might seem suspicious otherwise. You go first. I’ll be down in a minute.”
Anne returned to her room only long enough to tidy her hair and allow her heart rate to return to normal.
The meal passed more pleasantly than Anne would have imagined, with both physicians doing their best to keep the conversation going, sharing fond memories and anecdotes about Lady Celia and other amusing incidents in Painswick.
Katherine wore one of the newly trimmed mourning gowns,with jet beads at her neck and her hair well-dressed by Rosa, who was now sitting vigil while the rest of them ate.
Dr. Marsland’s gaze, Anne noticed, lingered on Katherine throughout the meal.
Poor Miss Lotty, she thought.
Mr. Dalby, black arm band on his sleeve, remained rather subdued, yet civil. He ignored Anne, but at least he made no further accusations. Anne found herself wondering if she might have misunderstood what she’d heard him say in the billiard room. Had she leapt to the wrong conclusion?
She watched the handsome man, remembering what Lady Celia had told her about him, and about his parents. She recalled Lady Celia saying that Jude had once been affectionate and funny and winsome.
Mr. Dalby caught her looking at him and met her gaze with a challenging one of his own.
“You’re staring, Miss Loveday. Does something in my appearance offend you?”
“No. I was just remembering some things Lady Celia told me about you.”
“And all of it vile, I suppose.” He lifted his wine glass and drank a large mouthful.
“Not all. She said she was terribly fond of you. And that as a boy, you and she were quite close. Like the son she never had.”
It was his turn to stare. “She truly said that?”
“Yes, every word.”
And perhaps it was a trick of the candlelight, but his green eyes seemed to shimmer with unshed tears.
When the meal concluded, Dr. Finch was the first to depart. He thanked Miss Fitzjohn and bid the other men good-night. Anne walked him to the door.
In a low voice, he said, “When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow. After the public viewing.”
“Remember to lock your door tonight.”
“I shall.”
“Promise me you’ll be careful, and stay away from ... a certain room?”
“I will.”
He sighed. “I’ll feel better when you’re back with Miss Lotty and Rosa is back at Valley View. Well, good-bye for now, Miss Loveday.”
“Good-night.”
A few minutes later, after thanking Miss Fitzjohn for the meal and promising to call on her soon, Dr. Marsland left as well.
After their guests had departed, Katherine and Jude moved into the parlour to drink their coffee. Anne excused herself and went belowstairs to see how Kezia’s hand was faring.
Thankfully the girl’s wound seemed to be closing up well, and she was in good spirits. There was still no sign of the missing knife, however.
When Anne went back upstairs, she heard Miss Fitzjohn sniffling in the parlour.
Jude said, “Why the tragic tears? You know you wished her dead. Now you can do as you like. Be mistress of your own life, your own money. Speaking of which, how soon might the will be read?”
