The Heart is Torn by Mallett Phyllis

Author:Mallett, Phyllis [Mallett, Phyllis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2015-05-17T07:00:00+00:00

7

Beth heard Peake cross the room and open a drawer. She risked a peep around the heavy curtain and saw him standing at his desk, holding a thin sheaf of papers. Her mind was buzzing with what had passed between Peake and Cresse, and a fierce impatience boiled up inside her. She needed to get to Traherne Court now to warn Jeremy of what she had learned. If proof was what they needed then the orders Peake had given Cresse were more than sufficient. Adam was to be murdered in Falmouth!

A degree of calm returned to her when she recalled that Adam had not gone to Falmouth, but she wondered where he was in Polgarron. He needed the warning, not Jeremy, but she fancied that she would not find him, and someone had to be informed of Peake’s ghastly plot.

She cringed back into cover when the door of the room was opened. Mrs Fetters spoke, using an ingratiating tone that offended Beth’s ears.

‘Elizabeth Farrell is here, Master Peake,’ the housekeeper said. ‘She is not in her room at the moment but wandering around the house.’

‘What’s wrong with that?’ Peake demanded. ‘She needs to find her way around. I want her settled in here as quickly as possible, and your task is to ensure her happiness. Just remember that she is a guest here, and soon to be my wife. Where is she now? I need to talk to her.’

‘She was looking in the bedrooms when I last saw her.’

‘Then go and tell her that I wish to see her in here.’ He paused, then said, ‘No, wait. I’ll find her myself.’

Beth peeped around the curtain and saw Peake ushering Mrs Fetters out of the room. He departed with her, closing the door firmly. Waiting several moments, Beth went to the door and opened it a fraction, peering into the hall. She saw Peake disappearing up the staircase and looked around for Mrs Fetters. Thankfully, the woman was nowhere to be seen, and Beth, afraid of being discovered in the library and suspected of eavesdropping, slipped out and closed the door silently.

‘What are you doing there?’ Mrs Fetters demanded, and Beth turned swiftly to see the housekeeper emerging from the nearby drawing-room.

‘I thought I heard Jonah,’ Beth said, her heart was pounding. ‘Is he in the library?’

‘He’s gone upstairs to look for you.’

She turned and went back into the drawing-room, her shoulders stiff as she failed to control her hostile manner.

Beth could hear Peake upstairs, calling her name, and she hurried to the front door. If she was to pass on what she had overheard then she needed to get away immediately. The door opened to her touch, which surprised her, and she turned and ran along the driveway to the street. The wind tore at her, but she ignored the elements and went on, wondering if she should search for Adam or make for Traherne Court to warn Jeremy. She staggered into the doorway of a warehouse, pausing to regain her breath.

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