Death Comes to the Rectory by Catherine Lloyd

Author:Catherine Lloyd [Lloyd, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2020-10-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Robert waited to see if Lucy would rush to defend her family, but to his immense relief she did nothing more than nod, sit down, and arrange her skirts before looking up at him again expectantly.

“Please excuse my manners. I should have asked you how Rose was before ranting about the Harringtons,” Robert said.

“It’s quite all right. If I had been here when my uncle tried to sell you such a ridiculous tale, I doubt I would’ve been capable of keeping my opinions to myself.”

Robert smiled. “I must confess that I was astounded at my own restraint, but I decided it was far better for him to believe that the matter was settled than for me to point out the error of his ways.”

“I also saw my father at the rectory.” Lucy grimaced. “We argued quite dreadfully. I attempted to direct his attention to the fact that he might be convicted of murder and that perhaps he should stop taking the matter so lightly. I suggested that if he thought his brother was going to save him rather than Max, then he was mistaken.”

“I suspect he didn’t appreciate your sentiments?”

“He told me to go home and mind my own business.”

“But you were right to say that to him.” Robert gestured at the door. “The earl proved this morning that his only real concern is for his son. He didn’t mention your father once.”

“But what if my father truly believes his brother will save him?” Lucy asked slowly. “It isn’t out of the realm of possibility. If my father agrees to take the blame for Northam’s death, thus freeing Max from any threat of a trial, then my uncle might well be inclined to help acquit him.”

“That’s a remarkably cynical assessment, my dear.”

“But it might also be true.” Lucy held his gaze. “I know my father’s family better than you do, and they will do anything to keep the Harrington name unblemished. It would also explain why my father is happily ignoring the implications of being accused of murder. He doesn’t think justice really applies to him.”

For the first time, Robert heard the hurt behind her words and studied her more closely. Whatever had happened at the rectory that morning had affected his wife more deeply than she was prepared to admit. Her father was a selfish man who rarely acknowledged the burden he had thrust on his oldest daughter when her mother had died birthing the twins.

But what to say to her? He wasn’t known as a sympathetic man, but he hated seeing his wife hurt.

“Your father is a fool,” he said gruffly. “You should pay no heed to him.”

She offered him a quick smile. “Thank you. I must admit that for the first time in my life I was more than willing to wash my hands and walk away as directed. He has Rose to fight for him now, and my allegiance is to you, and our family.”

“Which is exactly as it should be,” Robert said firmly. “You are valued here, my dear, never forget it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.