The Painted Lady by Edward Marston

Author:Edward Marston [Marston, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery & Detective, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9780749010324
Google: ohKKAgAAQBAJ
Amazon: B006WB7QQC
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2011-03-13T13:00:00+00:00

Christopher Redmayne rode back to his house in Fetter Lane where he expected to meet with Jonathan Bale so they could trade information about their respective visits. But it was not his friend who had called to see the architect. Jacob passed on the news.

‘A young lady is waiting for you, Mr Redmayne,’ he said.

‘Did she give her name?’

‘She refused to do so, sir.’

‘What does she want?’

‘I’ve no idea,’ said Jacob, ‘but she insisted on seeing you. The young lady is in the drawing room. She’s very pretty.’

There was the faintest touch of reproach in his voice. Knowing how close his master was to Susan Cheever, the old man felt it improper for him to be entertaining another young lady in her absence. Christopher quashed his suspicions at once.

‘She is not here by invitation, Jacob, I promise you.’

‘Very good, sir.’

Walking past the servant, he opened the door to the drawing room and went in. The young woman leapt to her feet at once. Though extremely pretty, she was also tense and uncertain.

‘Mr Redmayne?’ she asked.

‘Yes.’

‘Christopher Redmayne?’

‘The very same,’ he said, appraising her. ‘May I ask your name?’

‘Eleanor Ryle, sir,’ she said. ‘I work for Lady Culthorpe.’

He was taken aback. ‘Lady Culthorpe sent you here?’

‘No, Mr Redmayne – I came of my own accord. She doesn’t even know that I’m here and she might be very cross with me if she did. I can’t stay, sir. I have to be back in case Lady Culthorpe needs me, but I felt that I had to come.’ Having gabbled the words, she paused for breath. ‘I hope I’ve done the right thing.’

‘At least, sit down while you’re here, Miss Ryle,’ he offered. When she resumed her seat, he took the chair opposite her. ‘Why exactly did you want to see me?’

‘It was because of your letter, sir – the one you wrote to Lady Culthorpe. She found it very moving. I took the trouble to read it myself and that was how I got your address.’ She chewed her lip. ‘I was touched by what you wrote. I felt you were a person I could trust. That’s not true of some of the men who sent letters of condolence.’

‘Are you referring to my brother?’

‘Lady Culthorpe would not even read the verses he sent.’

‘From what I hear, he’s been harassing her for some time with his foolish attempts at poetry. I’ll speak to him about it,’ promised Christopher. ‘So you came here solely on the strength of my letter?’

‘No, sir,’ she said. ‘It was what Lady Lingoe wrote about you.’

‘Oh – what was that?’

‘She sent her condolences to Lady Culthorpe but she also claimed that Mr Villemot did not commit the murder. She knows the gentleman well and swears he is innocent. Lady Lingoe mentioned you in her letter. She said that you agreed with her and were determined to clear his name.’

‘That’s true, Miss Ryle.’

‘Then I’d like to help.’

‘I’d be grateful for any assistance.’

‘I’m doing it for Lady Culthorpe’s sake,’ said Eleanor, playing nervously with the edge of her cloak.

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