Read Online Death at the Wedding Feast by Deryn Lake - Free Book Online Page B

turned back to the bed.
    A great surge of emotion filled him as he looked down at the woman who had so courageously undergone the mighty experience of giving birth. Then he bent and gently kissed her on the cheek before snuggling in beside her and – oh so gently – taking her in his arms and falling asleep.

Seven
    As dawn came creeping over the River Exe John kissed Elizabeth, who still slept deeply, and then went back to his own room where he enjoyed a couple of hours of perfect, dreamless sleep before the smell of distant cooking woke him up. Ringing for hot water, he washed, shaved and dressed in his terrible lime green suit then went down to the breakfast room. It was empty except for Lady Sidmouth who, as usual, was doing her busy bee act.
    â€˜Ah John,’ she said, raising her quizzer to her heavily-lidded dark brown eye the better to observe him. ‘You look well and rested – but the colour of that suit is enough to put one off one’s food. Would you kindly remove the jacket?’
    John did so and, helping himself to a substantial amount from the servers placed on the sideboard, sat down in his violet waistcoat and prepared to tuck in. But the fork was only halfway to his mouth when the door opened and Miranda Tremayne, eyes downcast and looking excessively prim, entered and sat down.
    Lady Sidmouth said, ‘There have been some interesting changes since you were last here, John.’
    â€˜Oh really? And what might they be?’
    Miranda spoke up, eyes still not raised. ‘I have become betrothed, Mr Rawlings, and indeed am due to be married in June.’
    â€˜How very delightful. And who is the lucky bridegroom?’
    Lady Sidmouth interrupted. ‘Miranda has done very well for herself. She is to marry the Earl of St Austell and will go to live in his grand house in Cornwall.’
    â€˜What a good match,’ John murmured politely.
    Miranda looked up and straight at the Apothecary and he noticed that her eyes were shuttered, all her secret thoughts hidden from the world. ‘The Earl is a very gracious man and I care for him greatly,’ she said, just a fraction defiantly.
    â€˜What Miranda is trying to say,’ Lady Sidmouth put in, ‘is that she doesn’t give a toss for the fact that he is fifty-two years her senior; in fact she snaps her fingers at it. She says she loves the man and there’s an end to it.’
    â€˜I am so pleased to hear it,’ John answered politely. ‘Tell me, where did you meet him?’
    â€˜He is one of society’s doyens in Cornwall. It was at a hunting assembly at Lord Austell’s home that I was presented by my cousin Robin. They ride to stag on Exmoor, you know.’
    â€˜Yes, I did know,’ John muttered.
    â€˜Well, he was so handsome and debonair – as only an older man can be – that I fell in love with him at first sight.’
    â€˜How nice!’
    â€˜And of course his wife had died just a few months previously after many years of being an invalid. Poor darling, I don’t know how he coped with all those weeks when he tended her lovingly.’
    â€˜He had a nurse to help him,’ put in Lady Sidmouth with a touch of acerbity.
    Miranda’s eyes dropped once more. ‘Yes, of course.’
    John thought most unkindly about the enormous wealth to be gained and the huge estate and all that went with it – fawning servants, splendid food, great occasions at which the beautiful Miranda would be belle-of-the-ball – and wondered that anyone could be taken in by her duplicity. He caught the canny eye of Lady Sidmouth and just for a moment read the same sentiments there.
    The door opened and Milady’s youngest daughter, Felicity, walked in. Though not exactly good looking she had improved during the few months that John had not seen her and was nowadays carrying herself with more dignity and poise. Having obtained her breakfast and seated herself at the large