The Scarlet Gown by Sarah Mallory

Author:Sarah Mallory [Sarah Mallory]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, General, Regency
ISBN: 9781460335048
Google: 9_T1AgAAQBAJ
Amazon: B00I66GCFC
Barnesnoble: B00I66GCFC
Goodreads: 20523661
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Published: 2014-01-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Lucy rose early the following morning. After a night’s repose nothing seemed quite so bad and she decided to go out. She dressed quickly, but when she went downstairs she found that Margaret and Caroline were before her.

‘Ah, so you are going out walking, too,’ Caroline greeted her cheerfully when she met them in the hall. ‘We are going to Druids Rock. Will you join us?’

The prospect of congenial company was too tempting. The three ladies went off together, the sisters setting a brisk pace, which suited Lucy very well.

‘This is a favourite walk of ours,’ said Caroline as they headed for the wicket gate on the far side of the lawn.

‘Really? Even after the accident?’

‘Well, that was very sad, of course,’ said Margaret. ‘We always spare a thought for Helene when we go this way, but we enjoy the walk, and the views from Druids Rock are spectacular.’

‘Besides,’ said Caroline, ‘I am sure many dreadful things have happened there in the past. The Druids, you see.’ She lowered her voice and said with relish, ‘Dark deeds, sacrifices and satanic rituals!’

‘Hush, Caro, you know that is all nonsense. Pay no heed to my sister, Lucy. She has a penchant for horrid mysteries and Gothic tales.’

‘But you must admit it does add a touch of excitement,’ said Caroline. ‘Oh! What has happened here?’

They were approaching the gate into the old ride, and Lucy looked up with some surprise. The trees had been cut back, allowing the sunlight to pour onto the path.

‘It has been opened up,’ cried Caroline. ‘And about time, too. Now we shall be able to ride this way again. This must be for you, Lucy. Ralph told us you are a bruising rider.’

Lucy blushed and shook her head, wishing he did indeed care enough to do such a thing for her.

‘And the undergrowth has been cut back so we can walk three abreast,’ declared Margaret, linking arms with her companions. ‘It is quite shocking how overgrown it had become in the past couple of years. Since Helene did not ride much this path was rarely used, but after the accident Ralph closed the gate and never came this way any more.’

‘Accident!’ Caroline gave a snort. ‘Everyone knows she killed herself.’ When Margaret protested she waved her hand. ‘It is best that Lucy knows the truth, Meg, if she is going to live here. It was recorded as an accident, of course, but Helene must have been very distressed to go out without changing her gown.’

‘You think she was distraught?’ asked Lucy, curiosity overcoming her reluctance to discuss the matter.

Margaret looked at Caroline.

‘We think she and Ralph had quarrelled that day,’ she said. ‘Or rather, that he had upbraided her, for she was such a soft little thing she never argued with anyone. There was a brittle quality to her at the play that evening, and Ralph was looking decidedly grim. At the end of the night we all thought Helene had gone to bed. Of

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