Everyone looked at her uncertainly.
‘What are we drinking to?’ asked Arthur pompously. ‘The fact that we’ve survived a week cooped up together and not resorted to murder?’
‘There’s still time,’ muttered Allegra.
Arthur snorted. ‘That’s rich coming from you, the woman who very nearly caused Annelise’s demise.’
Before Allegra could reply, Romily said, ‘I was going to suggest we drink to truth and honesty. And regarding that, I have something I’d like to share with you all.’
Roddy looked at her, puzzled. He was as much in the dark as everybody else; Romily had decided not to tell him of Arthur’s deceit before the others learnt of it.
‘Here we go,’ said Arthur. ‘This is the bit where our beloved stepmother informs us that we won’t see a penny of our inheritance because we’ve fallen foul of some legal clause or other. I knew this would happen.’
‘Do be quiet, Arthur!’ snapped Hope. ‘Don’t you ever get tired of your own voice?’
‘Don’t you ever get tired of being such a sanctimonious bore?’
‘As I was saying,’ interrupted Romily, ‘I have something I’d like to share with you. It concerns Arthur in particular.’
With her eyes firmly on Jack’s elder son, and her voice perfectly steady, she recounted what Florence had told her of what Billy and his friend Tommy had witnessed. A deathly hush fell on the room, and as one they turned to look at Arthur.
‘I’m appalled that you would believe a couple of common trespassers over me,’ he said witheringly. ‘Plainly they’ve fabricated this absurd story to avoid the risk of being hauled up before the magistrate for poaching on our land.’
‘My land, I think you’ll find,’ said Romily, ‘and frankly, I’d believe their word over yours any day.’
‘So you’re calling me a liar?’ Superficially Arthur appeared fully in control, with a suitable measure of outrage thrown in, but there was no mistaking the guilty darting of his eyes, and the reddening of his face, which still bore the bruises from the fight he’d got into at the fete.
‘If the cap fits,’ said Romily coolly. ‘But actually I’d go so far as to call you a lot worse than just a liar. As would Allegra and Hope, I’m sure. At the very least I’d say they deserve an apology from you.’ The two women were regarding him with identical expressions of horrified disbelief.
‘Hell will freeze over before I do that!’ he exclaimed. He tossed his napkin onto the table and pushed back his chair to get to his feet. His manner had suddenly altered; now he wore the chilling expression of a man who was prepared to fight in any way he had to.
Opposite him, Hope also rose from her seat. She walked slowly around the table, passing behind Roddy, and when she was directly in front of her brother, she slapped his face hard. In retaliation, and revealing himself for the craven creature he was, Arthur raised his hand ready to strike her back, but next to him, quick as a flash, Kit jumped to his feet and with impressive bravado had his brother’s arm twisted behind his back before he knew what was happening.
‘Apologise now to Hope, and to Allegra,’ said Kit. ‘Do it, or I’ll break your arm.’
Arthur rolled his eyes. ‘Oh please, save the tough talk for those who mean it.’
Kit yanked his arm further up his back, causing Arthur to wince. ‘All right,’ he gasped, ‘I’ll do it. Hope and Allegra, I’m sorry. Satisfied now?’
As if knowing that was the best they would get out of him, Kit released his hold. Straightening his jacket, Arthur stared defiantly at Hope and Allegra. ‘You have to admit, what I did proves that neither of you can be trusted to look after a child. God help Annelise is all I can say.’
‘And God help you,’ murmured Allegra, who until now had remained silent. ‘May you be forgiven for being such a vile monster.’
At that, Arthur laughed. ‘Is that the best you can do, Allegra? I’m disappointed. I’d have expected more from you.’
‘I wouldn’t waste my energy,’ she said, turning her back on him.
‘I think you should leave us now,’ said Roddy, ‘so we can finish our dinner in peace and quiet.’
Arthur smirked. ‘I’ll be outside if anyone wants me.’
‘I wouldn’t hold your breath,’ said Kit.
When the door had closed after Arthur, Romily sighed. ‘I’m sorry about that,’ she said.
‘You’re sorry?’ said Hope, resuming her seat. ‘Why?’
‘I should have been less dramatic about it, perhaps confronted him on his own.’
