William Monk 04 - A Sudden Fearful Death

the dock opposite her a look of unsuppressed loathing. The jury saw it and weredistinctly uncomfortable; one man coughed and covered his mouth in a gesture of embarrassment. Rathbone saw it with a rising heart. They believed Sir Herbert; Faith Barker’s grief made them uncomfortable. Lovat-Smith saw it also. His jaw tightened and he pursed his lips.
    “Mrs. Barker,” Rathbone began clearly and very politely. “I know that you are here at least in part against your will. However, I must direct you to exercise all your fairness of mind, that integrity which I am sure you have in common with your sister, and answer my questions only with what is asked. Do not offer your own opinions or emotions. At such a time they cannot but be profound and full of pain. We sympathize with you, but we sympathize also with Lady Stanhope and her family, and all other people this tragedy has touched.”
    “I understand you, Mr. Rathbone,” she replied stiffly. “I shall not speak out of malice, I swear to you.”
    “Thank you. I am sure you will not. Now please, if you would consider this matter of your sister’s regard for Sir Herbert and what you know of her character. What we have heard of her from witnesses of very different natures, and different circumstances in which they knew her, all paints the picture of a woman of compassion and integrity. We have not heard from anyone of a single cruel or selfish act on her part. Does that sound like the sister you knew?”
    “Certainly,” Faith agreed without hesitation.
    “An excellent woman?” Rathbone added.
    “Yes.”
    “Without fault?” He raised his eyebrows.
    “No, of course not.” She dismissed the idea with a faint smile. “None of us is without fault.”
    “Without being disloyal, I am sure you can tell us in which general area her flaws lay?”
    Lovat-Smith rose to his feet. “Really, my lord, this is hardly enlightening, and surely not relevant? Let the poor woman rest in as much peace as is possible, considering the manner of her death.”
    Hardie looked at Rathbone.
    “Is this as totally pointless and tasteless as it seems, Mr. Rathbone?” he said with disapproval sharp in his lean face.
    “No, my lord,” Rathbone assured him. “I have a very definite purpose in asking Mrs. Barker such a question. The prosecution’s charge against Sir Herbert rests on certain assumptions about Miss Barrymore’s character. I must have the latitude to explore them if I am to serve him fairly.”
    “Then arrive at your point, Mr. Rathbone,” Hardie instructed, his expression easing only slightly.
    Rathbone turned to the witness stand.
    “Mrs. Barker?”
    She took a deep breath. “She was a little brusque at times. She did not suffer fools graciously, and since she was of extraordinary intelligence, to her there were many who fell into that category. Do you need more?”
    “If there is more?”
    “She was very brave, both physically and morally. She had no time for cowards. She could be hasty in her judgment.”
    “She was ambitious?” he asked.
    “I do not see that as a flaw.” She looked at him with undisguised dislike.
    “Nor I, ma’am. It was merely a question. Was she ruthless in reaching after her ambitions, regardless of the cost or consequences to others?”
    “If you mean was she cruel or dishonest, no, never. She did not expect or wish to gain her desires at someone else’s expense.”
    “Have you ever known her to force or coerce anyone into a gesture or act they did not wish?”
    “No, I have not!”
    “Or to use privileged knowledge to exert pressure upon people?”
    A look of anger crossed Faith Barker’s face.
    “That would be blackmail, sir, and in every way despicable. I resent profoundly that you should mention such a sinful act in the same breath with Prudence’s name. If you had known her, you would realize how totally abhorrentand ridiculous such a suggestion is.” Again she stared, tight-faced and implacable, at Sir Herbert, then at the jury.
    “No. She despised moral cowardice, deceit, or anything of that nature,” she continued. “She would consider anything gained by such means to be tainted beyond any value it might once have had.” She glared at Rathbone, then at the jury. “And if you imagine she would have blackmailed Sir Herbert in order to make him marry her, that is the most ridiculous thing of all. What woman of any honor or integrity whatever would wish for a husband in such circumstances? Life with him would be