The Vengeance Trail (Lady Fan Mystery Book 9) by Elizabeth Bailey

Author:Elizabeth Bailey [Bailey, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2022-12-29T16:00:00+00:00

In deference to her husband’s distress, Ottilia made no mention of the Buckingham scheme, even when it came to the Monday morning. She had refrained from speaking of the matter all through Sunday, when nothing could be done, in any event. The entire party had attended St Peter’s Church in Gothurst and thereafter spent a lazy day. She was both touched and grateful when her sister-in-law made an unexpected announcement.

“I instructed my housekeeper to make up another basket for that family, Ottilia.”

“Heavens, Harriet, how kind! What made you think to do that?”

“Well, with all these dreadful goings-on, I have begun to realise more and more how very much indebted we are to that woman you spoke of.”

“Meggotty. She is a treasure, Harriet.” On impulse, Ottilia embraced her. “And so are you! Thank you, a thousand times.”

Harriet brushed this off. “Well, it is not as if they are outsiders. If that fellow is a forester, he is in Gil’s employ. I will make it my business to send them regular supplies.”

Ottilia was a little concerned her rescuer might take offence at too much charity, so down-to-earth a woman was Meggotty. She owed her survival to the elderly dame, however, and could not gainsay her sister-in-law’s kind intention. She resolved to visit Meggotty when all was over and discover for herself how the gifts were received.

She had been glad meanwhile of the enforced rest of the Lord’s day and was feeling a good deal more herself by Monday morning. Yet she hesitated to speak of the planned excursion. She felt it politic and kinder to give Francis the lead.

As it chanced, Captain Dalby arrived soon after breakfast with the announcement that he had turned the whole matter of Indigo and Quin over to the justices of the district.

“It is not my task to bring them to trial, I am happy to say. The justice will have his fellows conduct any investigations among those who have been robbed.”

Ottilia could not keep back the question burning on her tongue. “What of Cherry? Do they mean to bring that murder home to him?”

The captain shrugged. “As far as I am aware, the coroner has accepted the doctor’s reading. He supposes it will be brought in unlawful killing by person or persons unknown.”

Ottilia clicked her tongue. “Unknown fiddlesticks! Is not Indigo under suspicion?”

“That is a matter for the authorities here, my lady. It is out of my hands.”

With difficulty, Ottilia held her tongue on a pithy retort. It seemed the captain was washing his hands of all responsibility. She could have kissed Francis when he intervened.

“A trifle convenient for Indigo, wouldn’t you say, Dalby? I should have supposed a suspicion of his guilt in that incident might assist the authorities with the householder that was slain in a robbery.”

“How so, my lord?”

“To demonstrate a capability of killing. Faced with two counts, a jury would find it hard to do other than convict.”

Captain Dalby’s brows went up. “You sound, if I may say so, particularly vengeful, sir.”

Ottilia saw her spouse’s jaw tighten and his eyes flash.

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