Castle Terror by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Author:Marion Zimmer Bradley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sanctuary Island, romantic suspense, Gothic, amnesia, bird sanctuary
Publisher: Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust
Published: 2018-07-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

For a moment I simply stood and stared at him. The portrait of Martine—beautiful, enigmatic, and malicious—stared down at us; the light caught the untasted brandy in his hand, the polished wood of the piano, glints of metallic threading in the draperies on the wall. I blinked, letting the silence take and echo the incredible word “murderess.” I said flatly, “I can’t believe it.”

“You fool.” Brant’s voice was not savage now, it was only weary. “She killed Margo Fields.”

My knees suddenly went weak. I must have shown it, for he shoved a chair under my knees. “Here. Sit down, damn it.”

All I could say was, “But why? Why then is she still at liberty? Why...?”

Brant swallowed hard. “Don’t you realize?” he pleaded suddenly, “the poor kid doesn’t even know it? Do you know what they’d do to her? Do you know? The state hospital for the criminally insane...a trial...a scandal...my father dead of the shock...Jeremy’s life ruined by having his sister branded a murderess...” his voice failed him.

I fought to collect myself. All I could say was, “That explains, then, why some of the people here say that Margo was killed in a fall from the cliffs and others that she drowned.”

Brant took a cigar case from his pocket, fiddled with it, and finally asked, “May I smoke?”

His asking recalled me to my senses; an employer does not usually ask his employee, even though she is a lady, for permission to smoke in his own library. I said, “You don’t have to ask me, Mr. McLeod.”

“Please—Brant,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “This damnable business has me nearly out of my mind....”

“Please smoke. I like cigar smoke.”

He fiddled with the light. Then he said slowly, “I suppose it’s my fault. But I simply could not face what it would do to my family. My family...means a lot to me.” His gesture included all of Duncarlie Castle. “And Deirdre herself. If the girl had the slightest idea of what she had done or what it could mean to her it would be different. But she hasn’t. So I decided we should get someone capable of protecting her, and others, when she goes on these rampages, and”—he made a helpless gesture, “just try to avoid the scandal and trouble.”

I asked, “How did you manage? Please tell me the whole story, Mr. McLeod.” I shook my head. “I find it hard to believe. The child cries over a hurt bird; I can’t believe her capable of violence! The other day, when Martine—I’m sorry—when Mrs. McLeod frightened her so terribly, she didn’t attack her; she only tried to crawl under the table and hide. I’ve observed many violent patients, Mr. McLeod”—I remembered—“Brant, rather. They have characteristic patterns. The combative patient attacks; the withdrawing patient withdraws. Deirdre always withdraws.”

“I’d give my right arm to be able to believe—” He broke off and shook his head. “All right. I’ll tell you.

“We got Margo for Deirdre four years ago—when she was twelve. Before that, we had had a sort of nursery governess for both Jerry and Deedee.

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