The Devil in Beauty by Heidi Ashworth

Author:Heidi Ashworth [Ashworth, Heidi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-06-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Huther scowled and attempted to step around me, something I would not allow.

“Clear the way,” he demanded.

“Not until you answer my questions.”

He gazed at me, stupefied. “I don’t know anything!” he hissed. When he saw that I was unmoved, he relented. “Very well,” he said, his gaze darting to and fro’, “but not here; not where we can be seen.”

Seeing the wisdom in his words, I took hold of his arm and drew him behind a potted palm in a darkened corner of the room. “When last we spoke, I neglected to question why you claimed to have received no letter of recommendation from the Gilberts when, indeed, you had.”

“I don’t know. I…” He drew a shaking hand across his brow, dislodging his sweat-damp hair. “I dared not tell you about this place,” he mumbled. “Such is my obsession that I am no longer suited to be a tutor. I had no intention of seeking such a position. Lady Clara had a position for me, but that was not information I wished to disclose.”

“And what of now; are you willing to tell me of the duties you perform in this household?”

He scowled. “I do what she asks of me, whatever that might be. I owe her a great deal of money. She feeds and houses me, and in return, I do her bidding.”

“Would her bidding include the murder of a young boy?”

His face turned white. “No! I have already told you; I had nothing to do with Johnny’s death.”

“But you had already planned to leave the Gilberts’ employ for the Manwarings’ when he died, is that not so?”

“Why should I have? I had a position!”

“’Tis a good question. Shall we explore the answer?” I took out my quizzing glass and began to buff it against my coat sleeve.

Huther’s agitation grew. “It happened as I told you. I had a position as tutor at the Gilberts. The mistress…was fond of me. Despite the neglect of my duties, I never expected to be dismissed. To my good fortune, I performed a task for Lady Clara in exchange for money owed. When I found myself without a position, she took me in. It is that simple.”

I viewed him through the glass and was satisfied with what I saw. “I find that I believe you, Mr. Huther. Tell me, then, the nature of this task.”

He looked profoundly unhappy. “It was merely the delivery of a letter.” He crossed his arms and pressed his elbows against his hands to still their trembling. “That is all!”

I perceived that this was a lie. “From Lady Clara? To whom?”

He drew a breath and the air rattled in his throat. “Does it matter?” he asked as he looked about the room.

“If it did not, you should not hesitate to tell me,” I pointed out.

He ceased his survey of the room and returned his gaze to me. “Very well, then; I shall tell you. Do not hold me accountable for the fate that may befall you as a result.”

“You believe I am in danger?” I asked, rather breathlessly.

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