Part 38 (2/2)

'Jenny, Im sorry, said Daniel, 'but we do have to get a move on.

'Ill be fine, I said.

'So well make a start next week, if thats all right with you?

I nodded.

'Have a think, jot down anything you think might be useful. Anything at all. Youd be amazed whats useable.

'But what about me? demanded Francesca, returning again to the crux of the matter.

'Well, my dear, its lovely that youre so enthusiastic. Perhaps a lady in waiting... he said hopefully.

'Or a courtesan? murmured an anonymous voice from the other end of the table.

'Russell! snapped Aunt Julia.

'What? he said in either genuine or well-feigned indignation.

'Yes, I said, before anyone else could say anything. 'Do I come to you, Daniel? Or will you come here?

'Come to me. All my notes are there. Shall I pick you up?

'No need, said Russell, curtly. 'Ill bring her over.

'Thank you, Russell. Then, when Thomas is better, Ill ride over. If thats all right with you, Daniel.

'Its not all right at all, broke in Aunt Julia.

'Nearly two minutes without emoting, said Russell, in what he probably imagined was a low voice. 'Could that be some sort of record?

If he was trying to deflect her, he was wasting his time. Where did he think Francesca got it from?

'You cant be serious, Jenny. Riding? After what happened? I dont expect much from you, Russell, when it comes to your wifes safety, but I cant believe that animal hasnt been destroyed. Its clearly unsafe.

He drank more wine and smiled dangerously.

'Never going to happen, Julia.

Her eyes narrowed. 'Youre hardly in a position to dictate to anyone, are you?

'Really? Why is that?

'You know very well why not.

'No, I dont, Julia. Youre just going to have to come right out and say it.

Uncle Richard said suddenly, 'Be quiet, Julia.

Russell cast him a mocking look. 'How wise. Only he could make it sound like an insult.

Uncle Richard put down his wine gla.s.s and said, with quiet dignity, 'I dont think it would be wise for you to argue with us, Russell. Not after the events of yesterday. Jenny will come quietly home with us tonight and well help her consider her future.

'Her future? That would be funny, Richard, coming from anyone but you. I think we both know what sort of a future is in store for Jenny. Its up to her, of course, but if she wishes to remain here, then she will. He smiled sardonically. 'With me.

'You!

And here was Aunt Julia again. Shed once told someone that one of her ancestors came over with the Conqueror. Considering the riff-raff he brought with him, my own theory was that she was descended from a camp follower or a black-marketeer, but you certainly had to have a pedigree of over a thousand years to put that amount of scorn and contempt into just one single-syllable word. Eat your heart out, Lady Bracknell.

'You Having made this promising beginning, she fell silent, apparently overcome by her emotions.

'What about me? said Russell, suddenly not smiling at all. 'Go on, Julia. Say it. What about me?

The lid came off.

'You evil, unspeakable man. You married my niece against our wishes and having secured her money, youve spent the last months engineering a series of suspicious accidents. Dont try to deny youve been violent to her. There are no words to describe your depravity, Russell Checkland, or your cruelty or your 'Well, as usual, you seem to have found plenty. Do you know, I cant remember a time when you werent talking, Julia. Anyway, youre wrong.

'Do you deny ?

'Of course I deny it. Youre spitting your poison at completely the wrong person.

Uncle Richard tried again. 'Julia, I forbid you ...

'Oh really, Russell? Well, if not you, then whom?

Silence.

He sat back in his chair, holding his wine gla.s.s. 'Do you really want me to answer that? Here? Now?

'Yes, yes I do.

She leaned forward in her seat, red-faced and furious. The rest of us watched in fascination is not the right word. It was like an oncoming car crash. You know its going to be bad, but you just cant look away.

Russell sat up and said, 'I am sorry, Jenny. I really am. But things cant go on like this. Youre going to be badly hurt and Im going to end up in prison. I hope you can understand.

'I do understand. Do whatever you think is best. Im standing right behind you.

He smiled sadly. 'No, dont do that. You can stand alongside me. Or back to back with me. You can even stand on top of me, if you like, but you are never to stand behind me, Jenny. Is that clear?

I nodded, suddenly unable to speak.

'Jenny, my dear, what are you saying?

I turned to Uncle Richard, suddenly too tired and sad to speak. Maybe it wasnt too late ... I groped for his hand but he pulled it away.

Aunt Julia leaned forward. 'Whats going on here? What are you saying, Jenny? Are you saying its not Russell?

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