“Let’s have it outside,” Laurasuggested.
The creeper over the loggia had shed its leaves, and the sun flooded down on them. Laura removed her hat and lifted her face to thewarmth.
“You’ll freckle,” Cillasaid.
“I never have.”
“Amanda had to be careful.” Cilla stirred her tea. “She had that milk-white skin of a blonde; she was never without her hat and her umbrella. Took that frilly pastel blue parasol everywhere with her.” Her laugh had a bitter edge. “She was quite aware that the blue matched her eyes.”
“Didn’t I see a similar parasol in the painting you just finished? The one I peeked at on the easel?”
“Yes. I painted it from memory, as it was never found. Lost in the sea, most likely.”
“She had the parasol with her when she disappeared?”
“Yes.”
Laura glanced across the sea. Today, a channel of dark purple dissected the blue-gray water. She remembered the chill of the water and how terrified she’d been when the tide swept her away from land. She took a deep sip of hot tea to banish the block of cold fear. Would they never be at peacehere?
“What time of day did Amanda go missing?”
“She posed for me on that day. It was about two o’clock when she left. No one saw her after that.”
“Where else might she have gone?”
“To visit Mallory. She couldn’t stay away from him.”
“There was some suggestion at the inquest that she had an affair.”
Cilla stood so swiftly she knocked the table and spilled the tea. She peered into the teapot. “More hot water, I think.”
When she returned, Laura repeated her question. “Is that what she told you?”
Pouring water into the pot, Cilla spilled some onto her hand. “Ouch!” She sucked a finger. “Amanda needed validation of people’s undying love. But she didn’t enjoy the physical side of things. She would have charmed Mallory; perhaps she did visit him that day for another bout of his cringing devotion.”
Laura took a sip of tea. “Then why would he kill her?”
“Who knows?” Cilla shrugged. “Love can drive a person mad.”
“But she was with child.”
“That wouldn’t prevent Amanda from flirting.”
“But her condition should have stopped Mallory from pursuing her.”
Cilla’s eyebrows rose. “This is beyond your comprehension, isn’t it? Such a sheltered life you’ve led.”
“I suppose I do expect people to act decently,” Laura said coolly. She put down her cup. “Nathaniel didn’t want me to stay long. I’ve tried to keep the portrait from him, so I’d better go.”
Cilla pushed back her chair. “It might be best. I’m not good company today.”
Laura flinched at her expression. Cilla’s fierce reaction seemed unexpected. Her eyes glittered with fury. “Whatever is the matter?”
Cilla shrugged and began to stack the cups onto a tray. “Talking about Amanda affects me. She treated people badly, especially Nathaniel. Working alone will calm me.”
“I’ll let myself out.”
Laura walked through the house to the front door, troubled by Cilla’s obvious dismissal. Had the mention of their different upbringings upset her? It was true that her life had been easier than Cilla’s, but she didn’t feel she should apologize forit.
