The Dark Lady by Máire Claremont

Author:Máire Claremont [Claremont, Máire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

“This is pure foolishness, Ian.”

Ian stared down into the flames of the fire as if he might find the elusive answer to this mess somewhere in the crackling tongues. Ian’s hands itched. He could have sworn Hamilton’s blood slowly trickled down his palms. His friend’s shocked eyes flashed before him. Shocked and betrayed. But why hadn’t Hamilton listened? Why hadn’t he returned home to London when he’d still had the chance? If only Hamilton had ceased being such a monster, Ian’s hands wouldn’t be stained with blood.

And Eva would never have faced the madhouse.

He picked up the poker and stabbed it fiercely into the coals, jabbing the recollection from his mind. Embers burst up into the air and wafted up to the chimney. “It is necessary, what I have done.”

His aunt stood half the long gallery away, her presence as strong as it had ever been. It mattered not that he could not see her clearly. He could envision her in the cool blue room, dimmed by the fading light of the day, her back straight, her hands folded, and her chin slightly lifted up.

She was strong. A paragon. Without her, who would have run Blythely? Who would have overseen the running of the estate while he had chased Hamilton halfway across the world in a ridiculous attempt to change his friend?

And now he would have to run Blythely. He’d been raised for it, yet the prospect daunted him.

“Necessary?” A sharp sound of derision filled the room, right up to the pristine white plasterwork upon the high ceiling. “Oh, Ian.”

The rustle of her skirts fluttered as she lowered herself into a chair. “Face me, if you please.”

Slowly, he placed the poker back on its brass hook. Even though she had been as a second mother to him, he refused to feel as if he were a boy brought to task. He already felt the slight fear that he had made a mistake somewhere along the road. That he would not be able to fulfill his aunt’s expectations, let alone Eva’s. Anger at his own feelings brimmed in his heart, turning him toward Elizabeth. “Did you know?”

She folded her slender hands in her lap. “Know what exactly? That Eva was in need of doctors?” She did not waver with guilt under his accusatory glare. “My dear, Thomas made it very clear that she was unwell. And in truth—”

“You did know, then?” Damnation, how could she have let this happen? How could any of them?

“We all knew,” she said sharply. Even as her voice cut through the dusky light, her face softened with grief. “It couldn’t be hidden. For God’s sake the boy died in the village just off the Carin estate.”

“And did you all think her mad?” he challenged.

For the first time he could recall, his aunt’s shoulders bent slightly. “None of us knew what to think. I was not with her at the time. I should have gone to her.” She remained silent for a moment, then continued: “To hold her hand, but I did not.

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