Read Online A Death by Arson by Caroline Dunford - Free Book Online

assume she doesn’t know you very well, and that she is a trade heiress. Slightly better than going for an American, but it’s really a pretty poor show, brother. It’s not as if you weren’t already rolling in the stuff.’
    â€˜Richenda!’ said Hans shortly. He gave her a look that caused Richenda to blush fiery red.
    At this point Lucinda stood up and came forward. As I saw the expression on Richenda’s face, I realised that Richard had been blocking her view of the slight girl. ‘Thank you so much for coming to our wedding,’ said Lucinda in a gentle voice. ‘I too am hoping that we can all become a happy family.’ She turned to her fiancée, ‘Richard, I do think you could have postponed any family reunion until tomorrow. The others must be tired after their long journey. And I quite understand about Amy,’ she added, turning back to Richenda. ‘I have a little cousin who sometimes comes to stay with Mummy and Daddy, and though she has been coming for the past three years, she is always a little unsettled on the first night. Poor Amy! First night away from home in an enormous place like this! But I am sure you have chosen an excellent nanny. Richard has spoken of how devoted you are to your daughter.’
    â€˜Adopted daughter,’ corrected Richard.
    â€˜Richenda’s concern makes it very clear, darling, that she considers Amy as her own blood,’ said Lucinda. ‘And why not? I think it was a totally splendid thing of you and your husband to take her in.’
    Richenda went an even deeper shade of crimson and muttered something about Lucinda being very kind. Hans watched Richard’s bride-to-be with a puzzled expression on his face. Bertram was wide-eyed and slack-jawed. I felt unaccountably annoyed with him.
    Richard placed a protective hand on Lucinda’s shoulder. ‘It matters, my dear, because the first of us to have a legitimate child inherits the family seat at Stapleford Hall.’ He smiled down at her. ‘Something I am very much hoping you will help me do.’
    It was Lucinda’s turn to blush now, her radiant skin flushing a slightly rose-tinted hue. If anything, she looked lovely, and could not have made a worse – or better – contrast to poor Richenda’s ruddy complexion. I wondered if Bertram was about to start drooling again, but he managed to shut his jaw and mutter, ‘Some things one doesn’t talk about in front of ladies.’
    Richard went over to the drinks table and poured scotch for the men. Lucinda invited Richenda and I to join her in sitting by the fire, where she stared rather helplessly at the tea tray until Richenda took charge. Lucinda chattered on, but I barely heard her. Richenda’s face revealed a torrent of emotions stirring inside her. I tried to catch her eye. My stomach was churning. I feared all too well what she was about to do.
    Richenda smoothed down her skirts, took a deep breath, and said, ‘Actually, Richard, I think you’ll find Stapleford Hall will become mine.’ She smiled widely and patted her stomach. ‘You see, I am already with child.’

Chapter Ten
A severe attack of chivalry
    There is an expression ‘then all hell broke loose’, and this would not be an incorrect way of describing what followed Richenda’s announcement.
    Hans threw himself to the floor at her feet, begging her to tell him if this was really true. Bertram choked on his scotch. Richard bellowed, ‘Damn you, sister, this had better not be true or I’ll have your hide!’ Lucinda fainted neatly onto the sofa, unnoticed by everyone but me.
    Hans sprang to his feet and stood, fists clenched at his sides, in front of Richard. ‘How dare you address my wife in such a manner!’ he cried in an emotion-filled voice that was very unlike him.
    â€˜Congratulations, sis!’ said Bertram, attempting to calm the situation. ‘Jolly well done,