Read Online Island of Bones by Imogen Robertson - Free Book Online

Briggs was asking her a question.
    ‘But you were a traveller, were you not, Mrs Westerman, when you first married? Do you not miss the adventure of it, as my husband does when at home?’
    It was the first time in years that anyone had had the perception to ask the question directly, and Harriet answered with immediate honesty. ‘Yes, I do. Very much. I think that is why I am here now.’
    Mrs Briggs chuckled. ‘Indeed, that might well explain why you were so ready to uproot yourself and come charging up to visit us. Though do not mistake me, my dear.’ She looked suddenly nervous, her quick eyes searching Harriet’s face for any sign of offence. ‘I am only too glad to have you here. You seem just the sort of guest I like to have in my home, and the frank and open sort of person it is a pleasure to see every day.’ Though Harriet was smiling at her, thinking it impossible to be offended by Mrs Briggs, her hostess still seemed unsettled. ‘There I go, running on again and saying all sorts of things one should not say.’
    ‘Mrs Briggs! Why should you not say them? You are only far too kind to me, and I fear I shall disappoint you on further acquaintance.’
    She beamed again. ‘I am sure you shall not.’ Then her face fell. ‘But not everyone is of your mind. The Vizegräfin seems to shudder every time I open my mouth. Then I become nervous and make everything worse. She makes me feel like the girl I was, with hardly a clean shawl to keep me decent. I was all charity school and rough hands in my youth, and I think the Vizegräfin can smell cheap soap on me still. My daughter is married to a Lord, and happily, and my son looks set to only add to the fortune he inherits, as he manages the business with his father now, bless them both – yet ladies like her can make me feel like hanging my head and slinking back to the scullery.’ Her shoulders slumped a little.
    ‘I am sorry to hear you say so,’ Harriet said, with a slight frown. ‘I imagined you and the Vizegräfin must be good friends for her to be staying here. She is not a comfortable person to dine with every day then, if I understand you?’
    Mrs Briggs shook her head, her eyes still downcast. ‘To be frank with you, Mrs Westerman, I wonder why the woman ever came! Her son seems pleasant enough – I like him, in fact – though he becomes sulky whenever his mother is in the room. My son was the same at one time. But the Vizegräfin never seemed to like us a great deal when we met in Vienna. I invited her to come to Silverside, naturally, when we discovered our connection, but I never thought to hear from her after that. She seemed a little horrified to be associated with us. Then a year later a letter appears done up with as many seals as a quart of brandy – and there it is! She would be very glad to make a long visit if it were convenient and so on, then she followed on so swift after my reply she must have had her bags packed and the horse waiting at the door.’
    ‘You have not asked her about the circumstances?’
    ‘Goodness me, no, Mrs Westerman! But you have not met the lady. If you had done so, you would not ask the question. She can be all twittering and charm when she wishes, but she will put you properly in your corner if you don’t bend to her.’
    Harriet rested her chin in her right hand, tapping at the fabric of her dress with her left. ‘Her brother is not known for his social graces either, I am afraid, though he inflicts his company on very few. And this body of yours, Mrs Briggs? Was it at the Vizegräfin’s suggestion that Crowther be summoned to investigate it, or your own notion?’
    Mrs Briggs looked into the air. ‘How strange! I suppose it
is
“my body” in my husband’s absence. Yes, it was the Vizegräfin. All that we have done this summer is due to her. She decided that a summerhouse on the island was a delightful plan. Then she wished to be present when the tomb was opened, then suggested summoning Mr Crowther