Wimsey 014 - The Attenbury Emeralds by Walsh Jill Paton

Author:Walsh, Jill Paton [Walsh, Jill Paton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Published: 2011-01-04T05:00:00+00:00

15

‘So are you game to encounter the notorious Marchioness of Writtle?’ Lord Peter asked his wife the following morning.

‘Certainly,’ said Harriet. ‘But put me in the picture first. I take it the Marquess is dead by now?’

‘Oh, long ago. Somewhere around 1935, I think. Leaving no children and a great deal of money.’

‘But if you are still calling her the Marchioness, she has not remarried?’

‘No.’

‘I suppose she had a slightly toxic reputation?’

‘Well, after the notorious trial Writtle kept a firmer hand on her, I gather. Perhaps she didn’t want to risk a second husband who might cramp her style.’

‘No triumph of hope for her?’

‘Well, most husbands would expect to rule the roost. Would expect obedience, submissive charm and co-operation. You have an unduly rosy view of marriage, Harriet, because I myself am so exceptionally permissive and undemanding.’

But this squib failed to flare, because Harriet simply looked at her husband and said, ‘Indeed you are.’

The conversation was interrupted, as their conversations sometimes were these days, by a long, steady, slightly smiling mutual contemplation. Then Harriet said, ‘So what was this lifestyle that a normally repressive husband would have impaired?’

‘Oh, house-parties; moving around with a great cluster of satellite friends between Chamonix, the Riviera, New York and Madeira. Always in the Tatler for this or that grand do.’

‘I wonder how such a person got on in the war?’ asked Harriet.

‘So do I,’ said Peter. ‘Shall we call on her and see what we shall see?’

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