Murder on the Lusitania by Edward Marston

Author:Edward Marston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2021-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Violet Rymer found it difficult to contain her joy. Knowing that she would be seeing Philip Garrow that afternoon, she was in a state of continuous excitement from the moment she awoke. Over breakfast in their suite, her parents both remarked on the welcome change in her manner.

‘You seem to be in a good mood today, Violet,’ said Rymer.

‘Do I?’

‘Starting to enjoy the voyage at last?’

‘It’s impossible not to enjoy it, Father.’

‘That’s why we brought you with us, dear,’ said Sylvia Rymer. ‘It’s a unique experience and we wanted you to share in it.’

‘It’s one of the reasons we brought you,’ added Rymer. ‘But not the main one, of course. We all know what that was.’

‘Matthew,’ murmured his wife warningly.

‘There’s no point in hiding it, Sylvia.’

‘But do we need to discuss it now?’

‘I can’t think of a better time. Now that we’re in the privacy of our own suite.’ He began to butter some toast. ‘Violet formed an unfortunate attachment and it was our duty to put a stop to it. Which we did. The day will come when she’s profoundly grateful to us.’

Biting back a retort, Violet lowered her head and brooded. Sylvia Rymer gestured to her husband that he might change the topic of conversation but he ignored her advice. After chewing a piece of toast, he sipped his coffee, then returned to the attack.

‘Appalling fellow!’ he snapped. ‘God knows how a daughter of mine could get involved with such a person. No breeding, no manners, no prospects, no nothing! Just one more Irish layabout!’

‘That’s not true!’ defended Violet, looking up.

‘I met the rogue.’

‘Philip is not a rogue, Father.’

‘Don’t argue with me.’

‘Need we argue at all?’ said his wife with a pacifying smile. ‘It’s all in the past now, so why don’t we leave it there?’

‘Because I’m not sure that it is in the past, Sylvia. We sent him packing but Violet clearly hasn’t forgotten him. Have you, Violet?’

‘No, I haven’t.’

‘She will, Matthew,’ said Sylvia Rymer. ‘In time. It was all rather sudden. Violet had strong feelings for the young man. You can’t expect those to fade away.’

‘Whose side are you on here?’ he demanded.

‘Yours, of course.’

‘We’re her parents, Sylvia. Our job is to protect our daughter.’

‘And we did that.’

‘Then let’s hear no more nonsense about “strong feelings” for that disgraceful individual. Garrow was an absolute bounder!’

‘No!’ protested Violet.

‘You should never have let him within a mile of you.’

‘He was kind to me.’

‘Well, of course, he was.’ Rymer sneered with heavy sarcasm. ‘And we all know why. He turned that Irish charm on like a tap. But it didn’t work on me, young lady. I’ve seen too many of his type to be taken in by them for a moment. That’s why I had to step in the way I did.’

‘Violet understands that,’ said Sylvia Rymer, jumping in swiftly before her daughter could reply. ‘Nothing can be served by bringing it all up again now. Especially as Violet is beginning to take some interest.’

‘Not before time!’

‘Let the matter rest, shall we?’

‘As long as Violet appreciates what we’re doing for her.

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