02 - Murder at Dareswick Hall Read Online Free Page A

I live here, I’m always here. Always
will be, I expect.’
    ‘It’s
just that you said –.’
    ‘Yes, how
silly of me, just ignore me. I do talk a lot of old rot sometimes. I’m so used
to talking to myself you see, when Father’s in town and Hallam’s at Oxford,
there’s often no one to talk to but the servants. Now what was I saying? Oh
yes, Tedson’s going to hold over planting the tulip bulbs until next month. And
the hyacinths too, although we’ll still import those, of course, we won’t get
them from the West Country….’
    Rose
let her mind slip on to other things. She was beginning to feel rather sick
with apprehension. What if Cedric was not as she remembered him? What if her
recollections of him were flawed and unreliable? Worse, what if she was not as
he remembered. What if when he looked at her she saw only disappointment in his
eyes? It had been a very strange weekend after all at Ashgrove, even before the
murder had taken place and they had all come under suspicion…
    It was
only after a minute or two that Rose realised that Josephine had stopped
talking and appeared to be as lost in her own thoughts as Rose was herself. The
two girls strolled on together for a little while in silence, which seemed to
get heavier with each step as Rose tried to think of something to say, fighting
against the desire to be quiet and alone.
    ‘It’s
awfully good of you to invite me for the weekend?’ She said at last. Josephine relaxed
noticeably.
    ‘Not at
all. We’re delighted to have you here. Any friend of Cedric’s is more than
welcome any time. Poor boy, he’s been through such a lot, as of course have you.
Don’t worry though, you won’t be pressed for details while you’re here.
Goodness knows we’ve had enough scandal of our own recently, what with that
awful business at the lake earlier this year….’
    Rose looked
at Josephine enquiringly. Cedric had not told her in his letters about anything
untoward having happened at Dareswick Hall. Surely if there had been anything
like a murder or a suspicious death, she would have read about it in the
newspapers. But before she had time to enquire into the matter further both
girls became aware of Crabtree walking at a brisk pace across the grass towards
them, the stoutness of his body rather reminding Rose of a penguin.
    ‘Excuse
me, madam,’ the butler began, having to pause for a moment before he could
continue, as he was clearly out of breath. ‘But Lord Belvedere and Mr Hallam
have returned from the stables and are in the drawing room, and have been
enquiring as to where you and Miss Simpson were.’
    ‘Goodness,
yes, we’ve been out here rather a long time, haven’t we? It’s almost getting
dark,’ Josephine said leading the way, the plump butler in her wake, trying to
keep up. ‘Do come inside, Rose, and meet my brother. And of course you’ll want
to see Cedric. Oh, how very remiss of me, I’ve just realised that I haven’t
offered you any refreshment after your journey. I know that we’ll be going up
to dress for dinner shortly, but perhaps you could be so good, Crabtree, as to
arrange for Robert to bring in some tea and perhaps a few slices of one of Mrs
Gooden’s very good Victoria sponges to keep us going.’
    ‘Very
good, madam.’ The butler bowed briefly and departed, but not before Rose was
left with the distinct impression that he considered afternoon tea at this hour
not the done thing at all. Personally she was sure that she would be too
nervous to eat a thing, but a nice cup of hot tea would be most welcome.
    The two
men stood up as soon as the women entered. Rose barely had time to take in the double
drawing room formed by two good-sized rooms, the large doors between each room open;
the fine Sheraton sideboard with its serpentine front; the magnificent
chandelier which glittered in the light. A warm glow extended from the
fireplace, the fire in which had not long been lit. She barely registered the
plaster cornice that