The Arnifour Affair Read Online Free

forgot how to earn its keep a long time ago.”
    â€œThat’s enough!” Lady Arnifour banged her cup back onto its saucer. “I will not have you talk about your heritage that way.”
    He waved her off. “We can hardly sully the Arnifours or your Langhems any more than they’ve already done to themselves.”
    â€œI’ve had all I’m going to tolerate!” she snapped. “You may take your leave.”
    Eldon shrugged and stood up. “And there you have it, gentlemen. The lord of the manor can still be dismissed by his doting mother.” A smile thick with resentment spread across his face. “It’s been a pleasure.”
    â€œI should very much like to speak with you later,” Colin called to him.
    â€œYou’ll have to get dispensation from the dowager empress!” he growled as he stalked out.
    â€œYou must forgive my son. My husband and I married later in life and my children were born to me at a time when most women are finished with such duties. I remember thinking them little miracles,” she grimaced, “but Eldon’s never been well and I cannot help but wonder if my choice to bear him at such an age had an impact.”
    â€œI’m sure you did everything you could,” I said.
    Colin smirked. “I’d say it has more to do with your son’s passion for drink than your age at conception. Either way, it serves no purpose to blame yourself.”
    â€œThat’s . . . , ” Lady Arnifour paused before giving an awkward grin, “. . . very kind of you, Mr. Pendragon,” she finally said. “Now tell me,” she shifted in her seat, “how can I assist your investigation?”
    â€œI should like to ask a few questions, after which we shall need to go out and see where the attack occurred,” he said.
    â€œOf course.” She nodded, a hand nervously fluttering up to her face. “I’ll have someone take you.”
    â€œExcellent. Now you mentioned that your husband and niece met at the barn that night. What makes you think they didn’t meet along the way? That perhaps she gave him a ride? Wouldn’t that explain his covering such a distance in so short a time?”
    â€œI think not, Mr. Pendragon. My husband was not a small man. There’d never have been room for him to get onto her horse. Samuel was of average height, but he was quite stout.”
    â€œI see. And has Inspector Varcoe shared with you his theory on how your husband covered that distance?”
    â€œHe brought up precisely what you’ve suggested. An inauspicious beginning to your investigation, it would seem.” She gave a flinty smile.
    Colin arched an eyebrow but held his tongue as he sipped his tea and snatched up a petit four. “And what alerted the household that something was wrong that night?”
    â€œNathaniel saw smoke on the horizon. The barn where my husband and niece were found had been set on fire.”
    â€œOn fire?” Colin leaned forward. “You didn’t mention that yesterday.”
    â€œIt hardly seems relevant.”
    â€œHow a thing seems is seldom how it is.”
    â€œOf course,” she said, but there was little resolve in her words.
    â€œAnd what of Mr. Heffernan and his son, Nathaniel? Has the inspector rounded them up yet?”
    â€œHe’s allowing them to stay here at my behest. But I fear he’s only biding his time. It would be a tragedy if they were arrested, Mr. Pendragon, and this family has suffered enough already.”
    Colin offered a quick smile, one that left me wondering what notions were racing about in his mind. “Permit me one last question. Has the inspector found the weapon used in the attack?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI didn’t suppose he would.” He drained his tea and stood up. “That would require actual detection. May I trouble you to have someone escort us down to what’s left of the barn