"Thank you, Jenny," Georgina smiled a little wanly. "Mr. Brook tells me that Lord Edward is something of an expert upon strange drugs; so thank him for me please and tell him that I took his medicine gladly. Did you perchance see Mr. Brook when you were fetching this dish of tisane for me?"
"I did, indeed Milady," Jenny smiled back. "He took me aside to inquire for you, and I was please to tell you that he thinks it more discreet not to come to your boudoir to-day unless you send a message by me desiring him to wait upon you. I was to tell you, too, that he loves you dearly."
"I know it Jenny, and I love him with an equal fondness; but not a word of that except between us two."
Jenny bridled. "I'd liefer have my tongue cut out, and you should know better than to suggest otherwise. Take your pills now, and get to sleep. I'll stay and do some mending by the fire, so as to be here should you need me."
"Bless you, Jenny. You're a dear, and I'd be lost without you," Georgina murmured; then she swallowed the pills, finished the tisane and settled down in her big comfortable bed.
She began to think of Humphrey and cried a little at the remembrance of their early days together. As the beautiful Georgina Thursby she had not only been the reigning toast of the town but a rich heiress to boot. Half a hundred suitors had striven to win her hand; old men and young ones, some with coronets, others with great fortunes, and some with nothing but good looks and a load of debts. Humphrey had been only one out of half-a-dozen that she had seriously considered as a husband. Mentally he was an overgrown child, and the only topic upon which he could talk with fluency was horses; but he had been handsome in a fair, bold way, was well-made, easy to get on with and he owned Still waters. It was the last which had made her take him in preference to a good-looking young Earl.
To begin with, their marriage had been successful, as such eighteenth-century marriages went. She recalled the fun that they had had during their first winter's hunting together, when she had been so proud of him as the finest and most daring rider in the field. Then she remembered with nausea his bouts of drunkenness, and the way in which he seduced every maid that she took into the house. It was not his unfaithfulness that she had minded but his lack of taste, and the squalidness of his indulging in those casual amours in the attics under their own roof. But she knew that she too had been to blame. She had soon become impatient of his stupidity and began to amuse herself with more intelligent men.
And now it was all over. Poor, weak, stupid Humphrey was dead; and would never blow a hunting-horn till he got red in the face, any more. She thought of his hearty laugh and the tears came into her eyes again; then she suddenly realised that she was not in the least sorry about his death, but only that they had not been able to remain good friends. Her mind wandered to a dinner service of three hundred pieces with the Etheredge crest that she had ordered to be made in China soon after their marriage. The merchant in the City had said that he could promise delivery in from three to four years, so it might arrive at any time now.
Then she fell into a dreamless sleep.
When she awoke it was well on in the afternoon. She felt rested and her mind was clear; but the events of the early morning flooded back into it with a terrible reality that precluded any possibility of their having been a nightmare.
Jenny heard her stir and came over to her, carrying a tray with some cold chicken breast in aspic and fruit upon it. As she set it down on the bed-table to tempt her mistress she said: "You're looking better already, Milady. Your sleep has done you good. Now eat this up and you'll be as fit as a trivet."
"Thank you, Jenny." Georgina sat up and, while the girl rearranged her pillows, asked with an anxiety which she could not conceal. "What—what is happening downstairs?"
" 'Tis that gloomy with all the blinds pulled down that we're better off up here, Milady. None of them went to church this morning, and all the guests have gone back to London. That is, excepting Mr. Brook, whom you may say is one of the family, and the Russian gentleman. 'Tis said below stairs that as he was the first to find you with Sir" Humphrey, the Colonel asked him to stay on to attend the inquest."
"Inquest!" Georgina dropped her fork.
"Why, yes, Milady. Seeing Sir Humphrey died so sudden there has to be an inquest. 'Tis to be held at ten o'clock to-morrow in the library, so I'm told."
"Will they—will they wish me to attend it?"
"That's more than I can say, Milady. But don't look so worried, now. If they do 'twill not be for more than a few minutes to tell how Sir Humphrey died."
Jenny produced a small folded note from her apron pocket and went on. "The Russian gentleman asked me to give you this, Milady; and Mr. Brook and the Colonel both inquired after you again."
Georgina took the note and opened it. As she read the fine French writing she compressed her lips, then pushed it aside with apparent casuaktess; but she was considerably disturbed. It ran:
My Lady,
At ten o'clock to-morrow morning there is to be an inquiry into the manner in which your Ladyship's husband came by his death. Colonel Thursby has requested me stay on and make a formal deposition of such particulars regarding it as are known to me. I understand from him that your Ladyship will be called onto do the same. While I should be the last to suggest that your Ladyship, any more than myself, has the least desire to conceal any essential portion of the truth my feeling is that no good purpose could be served in disclosing irrelevant details to the idle curiosity of the vulgar. Should your Ladyship be of the same mind, you will realise the importance of our agreeing upon the lines that our respective statements should take, before attending the inquiry. Unless, therefore, your maid brings me a message to the contrary, I propose to do myself the honour of wailing upon your Ladyship in your boudoir this evening at eight o'clock.
Your Ladyship's
Most obliged, obedient and humble servant.
While she ate her chicken Georgina considered the implications of the new development. Instinctively she shrank from granting the Russian the tete-a-tetethat he requested. She knew that she had behaved like a fool and treated him badly the previous night; but he had sought to revenge himself in such a despicable manner, and brought such grievous trouble upon her, that she felt they were more than quits over that. She had counted on his departing without her having to see him again, and was determined to avoid his society in the future.
On the other hand, since this wretched inquest had to be faced, there was sound sense in his suggestion. Unless their statements about the sending of the note tallied, certain facts that they both wished to conceal might yet emerge. If that happened further probing might bring to light other, far more damning, matters. Georgina shuddered, and decided to see the Russian.
At seven o'clock she told Jenny that she meant to get up for a few hours, and set about making her toilette. Feeling that dead black would be overdoing matters for an interview with a man who knew that she had been on far from good terms with her husband, she put on a dove grey gown relieved only by a cross-over fichu of white muslin at the breast and frills of the same at the wrists.
She thought it unlikely that, in the circumstances, the Russian would try any tricks, but as a precaution, she told Jenny to remain in the bedroom to be within call; then, shortly before eight o'clock, she settled herself with a book in her boudoir.
Vorontzoff was punctual to the minute. He was dressed with his usual richness, but, appropriately, in a coat and breeches of sombre purple satin. His dark eyes gave her a quick, searching look, but his glance remained inscrutable. Having curtseyed to his bow, she waved him to a chair and, forcing herself to smile, said as lightly as she could:
"I am obliged to you, Monsieur, for waiting on me. 'Twas a most sensible suggestion of yours that we should meet before attending this plaguey inquiry. 'Tis an ordeal that I would gladly be spared but I take it my presence is considered essential?"
"I fear so, Madame," he smiled back. "And I appreciate that any public appearance must naturally be d
istressing to you at such a time. But I pray you do not concern yourself about it unduly. 'Tis merely a formality, and providing we agree as to what each of us should say 'twill call for no more than a repetition of what was said this morning."
"Concerning last night,.." she hesitated, and then went on boldly. "It had been my intention to make you a sincere apology; but I think you will agree that the steps you took to repay my disappointing you have cancelled out any obligation of that kind upon my part. I will only say now that matters did not transpire altogether as you have been led to suppose, and that to some extent unforeseen events governed my actions."
He nodded. *'I had an idea that might be the case. 'Twas clear to me from early in the evening that Mr. Brook was the victim of an acute jealousy. For my part, while I do not seek to excuse my act, I can assure you that it was carried out only on an impulse engendered by what I considered to be extreme provocation. Yet, even so, 'twas aimed at Mr. Brook rather than at yourself."
Georgina gave an- inward sigh of relief. That difficult hurdle had been got over with a fair degree of face-saving on both sides.
The interview was not going to be as difficult as she had expected, and it seemed that owing to her tact she could now rely on the goodwill of the Russian. After a moment, she said: "Perhaps you would acquaint me now, Monsieur, with what you have in mind regarding to-morrow?"
"Merely, Madame, since we are good friends again, to do all in my power to spare you embarrassment."
" 'Twould reflect upon us equally if the true reason for your sending your messenger to Goodwood became common property; and I am no less willing to spare you embarrassment with regard to that."
He shrugged his broad shoulders. "I pray you take no thought for me, Madame. 'Tis no longer necessary."
"How mean you?"
"Since you find the position obscure, you must forgive me if I put the matter with some bluntness. After your admission of this morning that you inspired my act, should you retract 'twould be only your word against mine. Moreover, your original statement will receive the greater credence, and the case against you will only become the more damning should you begin to contradict yourself."
She was quick to see his point and realise that she had already let him out. He was no longer dependent on her; whereas if he chose to retract, and declare that he had instinctively sought to protect her from scandal that morning but could no longer bring himself to do so when placed on oath, her whole position would be jeopardised. Yet it was clearly to his own interest to maintain the fiction, so she was not particularly disturbed, and said: "We are agreed then that we should continue to explain your note as a plot between us, inspired by me with the intention of making a fool of my husband?"
"Why, yes. If you, Madame, can provide an adequate reason for wishing to play so aggravating a trick on him."
"There would have been reason enough in the way he has plagued me during recent months by prying into my affairs. Charles Fox and numerous other people could substantiate that."
" 'Tis well, then." Vorontzoff stood up, apparently to go, and Georgina was greatly relieved to think that this trying interview had passed off so smoothly. But, instead of making her a leg, he stood for a moment regarding her with a faintly sardonic smile. Then he said: "It remains only for me to offer you my felicitations."
She kept her tone light and raised an eyebrow. "I cannot think, Monsieur, of any matter upon which felicitations are called for."
He pretended amused surprise. "Your memory is short, then. 'Twas but yesterday you declared in the presence of Mr. Fox and myself that you wished to Heaven you were rid of your husband."
Georgina did not at all like the turn that the conversation had so suddenly taken, and she replied with marked coldness. "Given grounds for annoyance people oft make such thoughtless statements without meaning aught by them. And I count it in ill-taste, Monsieur, that you should remind me of my words."
Vorontzoff bowed. "I take it, however, that they are one of the things which yon would prefer that I should not mention at the inquest."
She looked quickly away. "Naturally, Monsieur; since an entirely false construction might be put upon them."
"In that, Madame, permit me to disagree. And at the risk of incurring your further displeasure I offer you my congratulations. 'Twas neatly done. I much admire the manner in which you handled a situation calling for great resource and courage."
"What mean you, Monsieur?" she frowned, endeavouring to hide her rising apprehension.
"I refer to the little secret that we share. Fortunately, I am reasonably confident that no one else suspects the truth."
"You were speaking of the real reason which prompted you to send that message?"
"Oh, no, Madame. That is quite a minor matter. Since you have already saved my face while saving your own I have scarce given the note another thought. The secret that I have in mind has no connection with the bringing of Sir Humphrey here; 'tis what befell him when he reached your chamber."
Georgina paled. Her thoughts were racing. What did the Russian suspect? What could he possibly know? Perhaps he was only trying to draw her out on the off chance that she might have concealed some details of the fatality. In any case she must say as little as possible and choose her words with the utmost caution.
"I—I fail to understand ..." she began.
"You understand very well, Madame," he cut her short, and went on with cynical gallantry. "Again I congratulate you on your resolution. His was a useless life, and I admire you all the more, in that, finding yourself cornered, you seized the opportunity to take it."
"Monsieurl" She sprang to her feet. "How dare you make so infamous an accusation?"
Vorontzoff shrugged. "If 'twas not you who actually struck the blow, then 'twas Mr. Brook. The two of you killed Sir Humphrey Etheredge between you."
" 'Tis a lie!"
"Calm yourself, Madame, I beg. Your secret is safe with me. But 'tis essential that we should understand one another on certain matters if 'tis to be kept from others."
"I have no secret!" Georgina cried; but she was frightened now and she could not keep the huskiness out of her voice as she hurried on. "Mr. Brook played no part in the affair. He left me earlier. To that I swear!"
"Indeed!" The Russian laughed. "You admit then that he spent most of the night with you, to my discomfiture?"
"To you I'll not deny it; though I'll call you a liar to your face if you repeat me."
" 'Twill be a case of the pot an,d the kettle, then. For I call you one now, in maintaining that Mr. Brook had left you."
"He had, I tell you! As to the rest, matters befell exactly as I reported. Sir Humphrey arrived in a state bordering on exhaustion. On learning that he had been fooled his rage became uncontrollable. He struck me with his whip, then fell in a fit on the floor after I had fainted."
"Pardon one slight correction, Madame." Vorontzoff bowed. "You should have said: 'After I flung my scent bottle at his head'."
Georgina stared at him with distended eyes as he went on quite casually. " 'Twas the finding of that bottle which gave me the clue to all that had taken place. You said that he must have knocked it from your dressing-table. I am prepared to state on oath that last night it was beside your bed. Moreover, the shoulders of his coat and his cravat were saturated with its contents. How could that have come about had he knocked it from the table with his whip. No, Madame. You threw it at him and it hit him on the temple. He fell and, perhaps, had some sort of fit. Having reduced him to a helpless state you saw your opportunity. I have little doubt but that you played Lady Macbeth and gave the word. Then Mr. Brook took steps to ensure that your victim should not recover."
"I tell you Mr. Brook had left me earlier!" Georgina almost screamed.
The dark Tartar eyes of the Russian held hers as those of a snake holds those of a bird, and he slowly shook his head. "You fatigue yourself unnecessarily, Madame, by, yes—as the English say—attempting to pull the wool over my eyes. Mr
. Brook sought to protect you from your husband's whip. He has since kept his hand concealed in a scarf on the pretence of having hurt it; but this morning the weal from the lash showed plain across its back. That mark is a fair match for the one upon your neck. 'Tis the proof that he was with you, and that a brawl occurred before Sir Humphrey had his seizure."
"I deny it! You are inventing all this for some wicked purpose of ' your own."
"Since you disbelieve me, when I am gone, send for Mr. Brook and ask him to show you his hand."
Georgina recalled the way in which Roger had flung himself across the bed in front of her. With an awful sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach she realised that the Russian could not have made up his last assertion. What he had said about the scent-bottle could be no more than a shrewd guess, but if Roger's hand was marked with a weal such a damning piece of evidence could send them both to the gallows.
"Do you—do you intend to disclose this at the inquest?" she faltered.
"Why no, Madame!" he reassured her quickly. "How could you ever suppose such a thing? Did we not agree but a while back to bear no further malice to one another on account of last night's events?
Now that we are again good friends my only desire is to be of service to you."
"I thank you, Monsieur." She moistened her dry lips, and, realising the necessity of playing up to him, went on after a moment. "I am most sensible of the service you propose to render me; and for the future you may indeed count on my friendship."
Taking the hand that she extended to him, he kissed it. Then he said quietly. "Be assured 'tis a friendship that I shall treasure beyond rubies. It remains only for us to cement it."
She gave him a quick, sideways look. "What mean you?"
He caught her glance and smiled. "Have I not already made it plain, Madame, that I count the qualities required to participate in such a deed, and to carry it off, an addition to your attractions?"
" 'Tis a strange form of flattery, Monsieur."
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