“Very well then, has the magistrate seen to the body?”
“Yes and he is also bringing the coroner and an undertaker with him this morning. Once they see the body and examine it together, Mr Collins' remains will be removed to the parsonage, where he will be prepared for burial. Do you wish to see the body now or would you rather wait for the other officials later on this morning, Father?”
“Yes, no... I do want to see it, but not in the presence of the others. In fact I really need to see it but I would appreciate your support.”
Richard looked at his father confused, “Why do you need to see it and why do you need us, Father?”
Lord Matlock scratched his chin and sighed deeply, “Because of an old secret Richard, one that I am happy to share with youand Darcy. For this has been my sole burden these past twenty five years and by God, I no longer wish to carry it alone.”
Richard and Darcy looked at each other, concerned.
“Father you do look tired, would you wish to rest first?” Richard said reaching out to touch his father on the shoulder who suddenly looked weary and old.
“Yes, I do feel drained. Catherine is as a rule already tiresome; when she is let loose she is utterly exhausting and I feel too old to deal with mad women.”
“Go and rest Uncle, we can talk later. Neither Mr Collins nor Lady Catherine are going anywhere.” Darcy reassured his uncle.
“No, thanks Nephew, I will do it now and rest later. However before anything else I need to unburden myself.”
“We are here for you Father.” And both Darcy and Richard nodded in one accord.
“That is good, Son because I... well, thanks for being here. In fact the whole family will need to band together, for we are all about to be thrown into the worst kind of scandal that can befall a family.”
“What is it Father? You are scaring us. Yet we are not normally men who scare easily, are we Darcy?” Richard attempted to lighten the mood a little but failed since they all felt a lot more nervous than they showed.
“Very well, thanks Richard, Darcy...” He looked at the two young men and took a deep breath, “Well, I do myself feel very nervous in this situation, because I have experienced it before.”
The two gentlemen frowned, confused,
“This is not the first time your aunt has killed somebody.”
“What?” Both Darcy and Richard said in unison.
“How is that possible?” Richard asked.
“Yes, I can see you are surprised, as you should be, but it is true. She killed her husband Sir Lewis... with white arsenic powder.”
“How... How on earth? How did she get away with it the first time Uncle?” Darcy asked stupefied.
Lord Matlock looked defeated and burdened by guilt, “I protected her and hid the evidence. I was young and my political career was just starting. It would have been political suicide if the truth had come out at that time. It would also have destroyed my young family if it had become known that my sister was not only a murderer but a psychopath.”
“Is that why she fears you so much? I always thought that you simply knew how to deal with her unreasonable requests better than anybody else.” Darcy said attempting some levity.
“No,” Lord Matlock replied, “She fears me because I always used that knowledge as a weapon against her. She would be a lot more unhinged if she knew I did not have an ace card up my sleeve at all times.”
“What about now? Are you going to protect her again?” Richard asked, worried.
“No Son, I can no longer in good conscience allow her to get away with it. Catherine must not be under the misapprehension that she can kill at will and have her brother to patch things up for her.”
“You are right, Aunt Catherine cannot be allowed to decide who lives and dies. She is dangerous. But you Father, have always been in grave danger yourself. I cannot believe you have agreed to eat anything in this house all these years.”
Lord Matlock chuckled, “She is dangerous but not completely stupid. If she had killed me, she would have forfeited her life a long time ago. I left a letter signed and stamped by a magistrate with my lawyers in Town stating if anything happened to me and if Catherine was suspected or connected with my death in any way, they were to bring the evidence of Sir Lewis’ death out an deal with her appropriately... she has a copy of it .”
“My goodness, I never knew... But if anything ever happens to you and Aunt Catherine is a suspect, fear not for I will personally tighten the noose on her neck myself.” Richard said fearsomely.
His father touched his shoulder, moved, “Thanks Son.” He turned away to compose himself and then he scratched his chin deep in thought, “But why would she want to kill her parson? What did he know that she saw no other alternative?”
Both young men looked at each other and Richard raised his brow at his cousin in question. “Are you going to tell him?” He asked
