William Monk 02 - A Dangerous Mourning

will not speak so freely in front of you. Come.”
    Obediently she opened the door again and led him across the wide hallway and into the withdrawing room. It was cold and windy outside, and the first drops of heavy rain were beating against the long windows. There was a roaring fire in the hearth, and its glow spread across the red Aubusson carpet and even touched the velvet of the curtains that hung from huge swathed pelmets in swags and rich falls to the fringed sashes, spreading their skirts on the floor.
    Beatrice Moidore was seated in the largest chair, dressed in unrelieved black, as if to remind them of her bereaved state. She looked very pale, in spite of her marvelous hair, or perhaps because of it, but her eyes were bright and her manner attentive.
    “Good morning, Mr. Monk. Please be seated. I understand you wish to ask me about something?”
    “Good morning, Lady Moidore. Yes, if you please. Sir Basil asked that Miss Latterly should remain, in case you feel unwell and need any assistance.” He sat down as he had been invited, opposite her in one of the other armchairs. Hester remained standing as suited her station.
    A half smile touched Beatrice’s lips, as though something he could not understand amused her.
    “Most thoughtful,” she said expressionlessly. “What is it you would like to ask? I know nothing that I did not know when we last spoke.”
    “But I do, ma’am.”
    “Indeed?” This time there was a flicker of fear in her, a shadow across the eyes, a tightness in the white hands in her lap.
    Who was it she was frightened for? Not herself. Who else did she care about so much that even without knowing what he had learned she feared for them? Who would she protect? Her children, surely—no one else.
    “Are you going to tell me, Mr. Monk?” Her voice was brittle, her eyes very clear.
    “Yes ma’am. I apologize for raising what must be a most painful subject, but Sir Basil confirmed that about two years ago one of your maids, a girl called Martha Rivett, claimed that Mr. Kellard raped her.” He watched her expression and saw the muscles tighten in her neck and across the high, delicate brows. Her lips pulled crooked in distaste.
    “I don’t see what that can have to do with my daughter’s death. It happened two years ago, and it concerned her in no way at all. She did not even know of it.”
    “Is it true, ma’am? Did Mr. Kellard rape the parlormaid?”
    “I don’t know. My husband dismissed her, so I assume she was at least in great part to blame for whatever happened. It is quite possible.” She took a deep breath and swallowed. He saw the constricted movement of her throat. “It is quite possible she had another relationship and became with child, and then lied to save herself by blaming one of the family—hoping that we should feel responsible and look after her. Such things, unfortunately, do happen.”
    “I expect they do,” he agreed, keeping his voice noncommittal with a great effort. He was sharply aware of Hester standing behind the chair, and knowing what she would feel. “But if that is what she hoped in this instance, then she was sorely disappointed, wasn’t she?”
    Beatrice’s face paled and her head moved fractionally backwards, as if she had been struck but elected to ignore the blow. “It is a terrible thing, Mr. Monk, to charge a person wrongfully with such a gross offense.”
    “Is it?” he asked sardonically. “It does not appear to have done Mr. Kellard any damage whatever.”
    She ignored his manner. “Only because we did not believe her!”
    “Really?” he pursued. “I rather thought that Sir Basil did believe her, from what he said to me.”
    She swallowed hard and seemed to sit a little lower in the chair.
    “What is it you want of me, Mr. Monk? Even if she was right, and Myles did assault her—in that way—what has it to do with my daughter’s death?”
    Now he was sorry he had asked her with so little gentleness. Her loss was deep, and she had answered him without evasion or antagonism.
    “It would prove that Mr. Kellard has an appetite which he is prepared to satisfy,” he explained quietly, “regardless of the personal cost to someone else, and that his past experience has shown him he can do it with impunity.”
    Now she was as pale as the cambric handkerchief between her clenched fingers.
    “Are you suggesting that Myles tried to force himself upon Octavia?” The idea appalled her. Now the horror touched her other