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“Yes I am,” she said gravely. “It is not surprising that your mother is extremely distressed, especially since I understand the police are still here quite often asking questions. I thought a book might take her mind off present grief, at least long enough to fall asleep, without causing the heaviness of drugs. It will not serve her to evade the pain forever. I don’t mean to sound harsh. I have lost my own parents and a brother; I am acquainted with bereavement.”

“Presumably that is why Lady Burke Heppenstall recommended you. I think it will be most beneficial if you can keep my mother’s mind from dwelling upon Octavia, my sister, or upon who might have been responsible for her death.” Araminta’s eyes did not flinch or evade in the slightest. “I am glad you are not afraid to be in the house. You have no need to be.” She raised her shoulders very slightly. It was a cold gesture. “It is highly possible it was some mistaken relationship which ended in tragedy. If you conduct yourself with propriety, and do not encourage any attentions whatever, nor give the appearance of meddling or being inquisitive.”

The door opened and Myles Kellard came in. Hester’s first thought was that he was an extraordinarily handsome man with a quite individual air to him, a man who might laugh or sing, or tell wild and entertaining stories. If his mouth was a trifle self-indulgent, perhaps it was only that of a dreamer.

“—you will find no trouble at all.” Araminta finished without turning to look at him or acknowledge his presence.

“Are you warning Miss Latterly about our intrusive and rather arrogant policeman?” Myles asked curiously. He turned and smiled at Hester, an easy and charming expression. “Ignore him, Miss Latterly. And if he is overpersistent, report him to me, and I shall be glad to dispatch him for you forthwith. Whomever else he suspects—” His eyes surveyed her with mild interest, and she felt a sudden pang of regret that she was so ungenerously endowed and dressed so very plainly. It would have been most agreeable to see a spark of interest light in such a man’s eyes as he looked at her.

“He will not suspect Miss Latterly,” Araminta said for him. “Principally because she was not here at the time.”

“Of course not,” he agreed, putting out his arm towards his wife. With a delicate, almost imperceptible gesture she moved away from him so he did not touch her.

He froze, changed direction and reached instead to straighten a picture which was sitting on the desk.

“Otherwise he might,” Araminta continued coolly, stiffening her back. “He seems to suspect everyone else, even the family.”

“Rubbish!” Myles attempted to sound impatient, but Hester thought he was more uncomfortable. There was a sudden pinkness to his skin and his eyes moved restlessly from one object to another, avoiding their faces. “That is absurd! None of us could have the slightest reason for such a fearful thing, nor would we if we had. Really, Minta, you will be frightening Miss Latterly.”

“I did not say one of us had done it, Myles, merely that Inspector Monk believed it of us—I think it must have been something Percival said about you.” She watched the color ebb from his skin, then turned away and continued deliberately. “He is most irresponsible. If I were quite sure I should have him dismissed.” She spoke very clearly. Her tone suggested she was musing aloud, intent upon her thoughts for themselves, not for any effect upon others, but her body inside its beautiful gown was as stiff as a twig in the still air, and her voice was penetrating. “I think it is the suspicion of what Percival said that has made Mama take to her bed. Perhaps if you were to avoid her, Myles, it might be better for her. She may be afraid of you—” She turned suddenly and smiled at him, dazzling and brittle. “Which is perfectly absurd, I know—but fear is at times irrational. We can have the wildest ideas about people, and no one can convince us they are unfounded.”

She cocked her head a little to one side. “After all, whatever reason