“I always hoped that one day you would wake up and notice there were attractive females in the world, and be driven to acquire one for yourself. I just never expected it would be Bea Franklyn who woke you. Yes, Carter, what is it?”
The butler bowed. “A letter from his lordship at the castle, sir. A groom brought it just now.”
“Is a reply expected?”
“No, sir.” He stepped forward and proffered a silver salver, on which lay a sealed note.
“I hope he is not in another pother about the Northumberland estate,” Bertram’s father said with a smile, as he broke the seal. “Clarke knows what he is doing, and— Good God!”
“Not bad news, I hope?” Bertram said, alarmed.
“I— No, it is good news… or so we must take it. Tom Shapman has confessed to killing Nicholson.”
“Tom Shapman?The woodworker? But why?”
“Something to do with Tess Nicholson… wait, here it is.‘He wished to marry Tess, but Nicholson refused to consent.’That is hardly a reason to kill the man. Tess will be of age in a few months and free to marry where she pleases, even a woodworker. That makes no sense to me, and Shapman always struck me as a sensible fellow.”
“Still, if Shapman is the murderer, then it cannot be Whyte, can it? But then why has he vanished?” Bertram said.
“Good point. I shall send this letter to Edgerton anyway, and Morton can see what news he can find of Whyte. Well! Tom Shapman! I never would have guessedthat.”
***
Bea was drawn out of the library one day by her stepmother’s insistence that they sit on the terrace awaiting callers.
“Must I, Mama? I have a long passage to translate before Bertram comes tomorrow, and Hobbs can tell me if anyone calls.”
Lady Esther was too refined to raise her eyes heavenwards, as Aunt Betty would have done, but she gave a very slight sigh and said, “Bring it outside with you if you must, but tuck it away in your work basket the instant anyone calls.”
That was an acceptable compromise to Bea, and since no one at all came to call, she was able to work undisturbed.
“I suppose no one yet knows we are home,” Lady Esther said, after she had been forced to move into the shade no fewer than three times as the sun sank majestically in the sky. “I suppose no one will come now.”
But even as she spoke, the sound of hooves on the drive brightened her eye a little. “Books away, Beatrice.”
“Yes, Mama.”
When Hobbs brought the visitor onto the terrace, however, both ladies were surprised to see Walter Atherton.
“Mr Atherton! How charming of you to call,” Lady Esther said.
Bea jumped up and rushed across to greet him. “Walter! Whatever are you doing here?” She tucked one arm into his, and towed him towards her stepmother.
He detached himself to make his bow to her stepmother. “Good day, Lady Esther, Bea. I am glad to find you on your own for I have news to impart.”
“How intriguing. Pray sit, Mr Atherton. Will you take some wine? Or lemonade is most refreshing in this hot weather.”
“Is it?” he said. “I should prefer wine, thank you.”
Once Hobbs had been dispatched to bring the refreshments, Walter turned to the ladies and said, “I came at once to tell you, for I should not wish you to hear it from anyone else.”
“How very alarming,” Lady Esther said.
“Oh… no, nothing to be alarmed about. It is good news… at least,Ithink it is.”
His eyes rested on Bea as he spoke, and she was filled with foreboding. It was Bertram — it must be! Some accident, or—
“I am engaged to be married… to Winnie Strong.”
