William Monk 03 - Defend and Betray

brother. I knew him by repute. A fine man.”
    “Oh thank you. Yes—it was a tragedy altogether, in every respect.”
    “Indeed. I hope the solution may yet prove less awful than we fear.”
    She looked at him curiously, and he colored under her gaze.
    “Oh dear,” he said hastily. “I fear I have been intrusive. I am so sorry. I know of it only because Miss Latterly has been so concerned on your behalf. Believe me, Mrs. Sobell, I did not mean to sound—er …” He faltered, not sure what word to use.
    Edith smiled at him suddenly, a radiant, utterly natural expression. Under its warmth he became even pinker, stammered without saying anything at all, then slowly relaxed and smiled hesitantly back.
    “I know Hester is doing all she can to help,” Edith went on, looking at the major, not at Hester, who was busy taking her bonnet and shawl and giving them to the maid. “And indeed she has obtained for Alexandra the most excellent barrister, who in his turn has employed a detective. But I fear they have not yet discovered anything which will alter what appears to be a total tragedy.”
    “Do not give up hope yet, my dear Mrs. Sobell,” Major Tiplady said eagerly. “Never give up until you are beaten and have no other course open to you. Miss Latterly wentonly yesterday afternoon to see Mrs. Furnival and form some opinion of her own as to her character.”
    “Did you?” Edith turned to Hester with a lift in her voice. “What did you think of her?”
    Hester smiled ruefully. “Nothing helpful, I’m afraid. Would you like tea? It would be no trouble at all.”
    Edith glanced at the major. It was not a usual hour for tea, and yet she very much wished to have an excuse to stay awhile.
    “Of course,” the major said hastily. “Unless you are able to remain for luncheon? That would be delightful.” He stopped, realizing he was being too forward. “But you probably have other things to do—people to call on. I did not mean to be …”
    Edith turned back to him. “I should be delighted, if it is not an imposition?”
    Major Tiplady beamed with relief. “Not at all—not at all. Please sit down, Mrs. Sobell. I believe that chair is quite comfortable. Hester, please tell Molly we shall be three for luncheon.”
    “Thank you,” Edith accepted, sitting on the big chair with uncharacteristic grace, her back straight, her hands folded, both feet on the floor.
    Hester departed obediently.
    Edith glanced at the major’s elevated leg on the chaise longue.
    “I hope you are recovering well?”
    “Oh excellently, thank you.” He winced, but not with pain at any injury, rather at his incapacity, and the disadvantage at which it placed him. “I am very tired of sitting here, you know. I feel so …” He hesitated again, not wishing to burden her with his complaints. After all, she had merely asked in general politeness, not requiring a detailed answer. The color swept up his cheeks again.
    “Of course,” she agreed with a quick smile. “You must be terribly … caged. I am used to spending all my time in one house, and I feel as if I were imprisoned. How much worse must you feel, when you are a soldier and used totraveling all over the world and doing something useful all the time.” She leaned forward a little, and unconsciously made herself more comfortable. “You must have been to some marvelous places.”
    “Well …” The pink spots in his cheeks grew deeper. “Well, I had not thought of it quite like that, but yes, I suppose I have. India, you know?”
    “No, I don’t know,” she said frankly. “I wish I did.”
    “Do you really?” He looked surprised and hopeful.
    “Of course!” She regarded him as if he had asked a truly odd question. “Where in India have you been? What is it like?”
    “Oh it was all the usual thing, you know,” he said modestly. “Scores of other people have been there too—officers’ wives, and so on, and written letters home, full of descriptions. It isn’t very new, I’m afraid.” He hesitated, looking down at the blanket over his knees, and his rather bony hands spread across them. “But I did go to Africa a couple of times.”
    “Africa! How marvelous!” She was not being polite; eagerness rang in her voice like music. “Where in Africa? To the south?”
    He watched her face keenly to make sure he was not saying too much.
    “At first. Then I went north to Matabeleland, and Mashonaland …”
    “Did you?” Her eyes were wide. “What is