Gabaldon, Diana - Grey 1 by Gabaldon Diana

Author:Gabaldon, Diana
Language: eng
Format: epub

Part III.

Medmenham

Abbey West Wycombe

It was not until the third night at Medmenham that anything untoward occurred. To that point -- despite Quarry's loudly-expressed doubts beforehand -- it had been a house-party much like any other in Lord John's experience, though with more talk of politics and less of hunting than was customary.

In spite of the talk and entertainment, though, there was an odd air of secrecy about the house. Whether it was some attitude on the part of the servants, or something unseen but sensed among the guests, Grey could not tell, but it was real; it floated on the air of the Abbey like smoke on water.

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

The only other oddity was the lack of women. While females of good family from the countryside near West Wycombe were invited to dine, all of the houseguests were male. The thought occurred to Grey that from outward appearance, it might almost be one of those sodomitical societies so decried in the London broadsheets. In appearance only, though; there was no hint of such behavior. Even George Everett gave no hint of any sentiment save the amiability of renewed friendship.

No, it was not that kind of behavior that had given Sir Francis and his restored abbey the name of scandal. Exactly what did lie behind the whispers of notoriety was yet a mystery.

Grey knew one thing; Dashwood was not Gerald's murderer, at least not directly. Discreet inquiry had established Sir Francis's whereabouts, and shown him far from Forby Street at the time of the outrage.

There was the possibility of hired assassination, though. And Robert Gerald had seen something in the moment of his death that caused him to utter that last silent accusation.

There was nothing so far to which Grey could point as evidence, either of guilt or depravity. Still, if evidence was to be found anywhere, it must be at Medmenham -- the deconsecrated abbey which Sir Francis had restored from ruins and made a showplace for his political ambitions.

Among the talk and entertainments, though, Grey was conscious of a silent process of evaluation, plain in the eyes and manner of his companions. He was being watched, his fitness gauged -- but for what?

"What is it that Sir Francis wants with me?" he had asked bluntly, walking in the gardens with Everett on the second afternoon. "I have nothing to appeal to such a man."

George smiled. He wore his own hair, dark and shining, and the chilly breeze stroked strands of it across his cheeks.

"You underestimate your own merits, John -- as always. Of course, nothing becomes manly virtue more than simple modesty." He glanced sidelong, mouth quirking with appreciation.

"I scarce think my personal attributes are sufficient to intrigue a man of Dashwood's character," Grey answered dryly.

"More to the point," Everett said, arching one brow, "what is it in Sir Francis that so intrigues you ?You have not spoke of anything, save to question me about him."

"You would be better suited to answer that than I," Grey answered boldly.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.