The Incident at Fives Castle by Clara Benson

Author:Clara Benson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781291918854
Publisher: Clara Benson
Published: 2014-06-14T04:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

Mrs. Marchmont sat before the glass at her dressing-table, holding her head still as Marthe carefully fastened a jewelled head-dress to her hair. When the girl had finished the task to her satisfaction she stood back to regard her handiwork and gave a little sound of approval.

‘Shall I do, do you think?’ said Angela, turning her head this way and that to judge the effect.

‘Yes, madame, you look very chic,’ said Marthe.

‘You don’t think it’s a little too daring, perhaps? Lord and Lady Strathmerrick are rather old-fashioned.’

‘Yes, but they have three daughters of their own, madame. They are surely accustomed to the modern style of dress. Be assured, there is nothing about your person that could possibly offend anyone.’

‘You are right, of course,’ said Angela. ‘I am just a little wary after the events of the last day or two. I believe the Countess does not approve of my conduct with respect to the men of the house.’

‘Why, what have you been doing?’ said Marthe with sudden interest.

‘Nothing at all,’ said Angela.

‘Oh,’ said Marthe, disappointed.

‘But Lady Strathmerrick has rather unfortunately misinterpreted one or two—er—incidents.’

‘With the American Ambassador, yes?’ said Marthe, then as Angela looked up in surprise, she continued, ‘I have seen the way he looks at you.’

‘Does he look at me? Dear me. This is all becoming rather awkward. Selma is supposed to be my friend.’

‘Oh, do not worry,’ said Marthe. ‘She knows all about it and does not care.’

‘All about it? There is no “it,” Marthe—at least, not as far as I’m concerned.’

‘A pity,’ said the girl. ‘A woman ought to have lovers. You have been on your own for too long.’

‘I like it,’ said Angela. ‘I can go where I please and do as I please. I can have second helpings of pudding without having to worry about what it will do to my hips. I can spend thirty guineas on a frock and another thirty on a diamond necklace to match it. I can ask Freddy to take me out dancing and let him flirt with me as much as he likes. I can sit in a cupboard drinking whisky out of the bottle and then stay in bed until eleven o’clock the next day if I choose. I can play at investigating murders without the fear that someone will disapprove of me for being unladylike. I can do anything I want.’

‘That is why you ought to take a married man as your lover. He will have no hold over you and you may continue to live as you choose.’

‘I thank you for your concern, Marthe,’ said Angela, ‘but I broke off the engagement with Aubrey for very good reasons and I have no wish to revisit the past. Now, let’s talk about something else. I want to know what you have found out about Eleanor Buchanan.’

Marthe grimaced.

‘I am sorry, madame, but I have not been able to find out very much at all. Her maid keeps her mouth tightly closed. All she would tell me is that Mrs.

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