"I felt sure that I had only to put the position to you frankly for you to see reason," replied Roger smoothly.
A few minutes later they reached the rambling outbuildings behind the house. Having replaced the wheelbarrow in its shed they went in by the Orangery and through the now dark suite of reception-rooms to the hall. Old Barney was sitting there polishing Georgina's new riding-boots to a mirror-like sheen. Roger slipped the chit that Vorontzoff had written for his coachman back into his hand. The Russian gave it to Barney for delivery first thing in the morning; then victor and vanquished in this midnight interview went upstairs side by side, to part with a curt "good-night" on the landing.
It was now getting on for two in the morning, but when Roger peeped into Georgina's room he saw her by her nightlight that she was not yet properly asleep. She was propped against her pillows with her eyes only half shut, so obviously dozing. The second she heard the faint noise of the door opening she started up, and after one swift look, exclaimed, " 'Tis you! Oh, God be thanked!"
"Surely you were not expecting anyone else to visit you at this hour," he smiled. "If 'tis so, to spare your blushes, I will withdraw at once."
"Oh, Roger, 'tis no time for teasing," she said reproachfully. "Tell me without delay. You—you have not killed him?"
"Nay. I have but this moment left the fellow sound in wind and limb, and on his way to bed. 'Tis all arranged, and we need fear nothing from him either to-morrow or in the future."
She sighed. "How did you work this miracle? Come; tell me all. I can scarce yet believe it possible,"
Roger perched himself on the side of her bed and gave a laughing re"sum6 of his doings since midnight. When he had done, she suddenly hid her face in her hands, and a moment later he saw that she was crying.
"What ails thee, sweetheart?" he asked her with swift concern. "Think not from the lightness of my tone that I would belittle the danger we were in. But, knowing that we had no intent to shed innocent blood, God has extended His protection to us; and given us both courage and sagacity wherewith to shield ourselves. I do assure thee that thou needest have no further fears. The worst, is over, and within a few hours now thou wilt not be called on to give another thought to this tragic business."
"Nay," she murmured. " 'Tis no longer from fear that I am crying, but solely because I love thee so."
Gently he drew her hands away from her. face, then smiled into her tear-dimmed eyes. "Thou hast no cause to weep on that account; for if love be a willingness to give one's life for another, thou knowest that I would gladly give mine for thine."
"I know it; and 'tis not sorrow, but my very joy and pride in thee, that brings the tears to my eyes. Thou art the most splendid champion that any woman ever had. Dost thou remember how things were with me when I was but a little girl? How all those stupid fools of county people, whom I despise to-day, sent me to Coventry on account of my gipsy blood. Not a boy nor girl of their oafish progeny would so much as give me a 'good-morrow' when I rode past them in a lane. Thou alone hadst the spirit to ignore the ban and cheer my solitude with thy dear companionship. And now thou art grown into an audacious, determined man; and so monstrous handsome that thou couldst have any woman for the asking; yet it seems that thou still preferst me to all others, and would stick at nought to protect me from the results of my own follies. I weep from humility, to think that I am so fortunate."
He kissed her hands and smiled again. "Then weep no more, dear love; for is not my debt to thee the greater? When I was but a scared schoolboy fearful of what road to take, didst thou not make of me a man, point out the way, and give me resolution? And now; what am I but a near-penniless fellow, trained to nothing and of no position; yet thou, the loveliest lady of all England, rich, powerful, and courted by all, hast taken me for thy lover. Tis I who should be humble, as I am, that thou givest me, rather than another the right to protect thine happiness by all means in my power."
Like sunshine after an April shower, a smile came to her eyes.
"Oh, Roger, we are a sad pair; and no one will ever truly understand either of us, except the other. Dost realise that I am free to marry again now? 'Twas but yesterday that thou asked me, would I marry thee if I could? And I said nay; being then too scatter-witted to count my blessings. Ask me again and I'll give thee a different answer; for I will never know another man whom I will always honour, and at least have the desire to obey."
He shook his head. " 'Twas you who had sound sense on your side in that discussion. It arose, you will recall, while you were preparing the ground to tromperme with Vorontzoff. Before the summer is out a similar situation would arise, if not on your side then on mine. Agreements to disregard such things are well enough in theory; but when it comes to the point 'twill always prove that one party only has developed a craving for pastures new, so the other is bound to be hurt in consequence. Had matters gone as you originally planned for this weekend, we would still have parted good friends; but had we been married 'twould have resulted in a most bitter quarrel. And if one decides to marry one should at least set about the business without doubts as to its lasting out the year."
"You had none of these doubts concerning Athenais de Rochambeau last summer; and would have married her out of hand, had it not been for the difference in your religions."
"Aye, I admit it. But I was younger then and somewhat moonstruck."
"You are not, then, moonstruck with myself?"
"Nay, Georgina, and I never shall be. Yet, had I any mind to marry at all, which I have not, 'tis the one fact that would induce me to sue for your hand. For, did you grant it me, I would know that I was espousing no figment of my imagination, which might later prove an empty shell; but a woman whose best qualities will always far outweigh her very human shortcomings."
"It seems, Sir, that you are become illogical," she quizzed him. "If you would have me on that count, while yet a moment back arguing that you would not, from fear that any lapse from virtue on my part would prove too great a strain on your affectionl
Au contraire, Madame," he smiled. "I am being logical for us both. You know that in your heart of hearts; confess it now!"
She stretched and yawned, then gave a little laugh. " 'Tis so, dearest Roger. For if we did marry, and I caught you cocking your hat at a wench, I vow I'd claw her eyes out. But you'll stay on and love me through the spring, will you not? I insist upon it."
His smile became mischievous. "I'll stay on until those wicked, roving eyes of yours look favourably upon another beau—or until my own light upon some toothsome morsel of feminity."
"Beast that thou art! I do believe thou meanest to pay me back in mine own coin."
"Nay. I was but joking. My whole object will be to make thee forget this terrible affair as soon as possible." He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "And now, sweet, 'tis time that I should leave thee to get some sleep."
For a moment her fingers gently caressed his hair. "Thou art right. I am near exhausted by the" day's events. I only pray that all will go well in the morning."
"It will, dear heart. Have no fear of that." And with this last reassurance Roger left her.
IBs prophecy was proved correct. Vorontzoff took his departure promptly at seven o'clock. Half ah hour later Roger sent the letter that he had extracted from the Russian up to Colonel Thursby by a footman. A little before ten the coroner's court assembled in the library. It was composed of honest but simple folk who asked few questions and acted with all the discretion that they felt was due to the persons of quality who were concerned.
Having decorously viewed the body, they listened respectfully to Colonel Thursby's statement, and a translation that he gave them of Vorontzoff's letter. Georgina was called on to make only a brief appearance. She was dressed in black and veiled, but not so heavily that they were unable to see her lovely face. After a few tactful questions and her low-voiced replies, they offered her their deepest sympathy and she withdrew. The doctor then gave it as his opin
ion that Sir Humphrey had died from a seizure, brought on by intense cerebral excitement following immediately upon the abnormal exertions of his long ride; and a verdict was brought in to that effect.
Afterwards the members of the court were taken to the dining-room, where an abundance of refreshments had been provided for them, and relaxing into a restrained cheerfulness ate and drank their fill. By two o'clock, well loaded with good liquor they rode away, then* somewhat bemused minds now again centred on their individual concerns.
Roger had not appeared at any part of the proceedings. So that he should not be observed hanging anxiously about he had gone out for a ride, returning only at eleven-thirty. Shortly before midday the butler had informed him of the verdict and he had then settled down to read a book in the Orangery. Soon after the last of the visitors had clattered away a footman found him there and said: "The Colonel's compliments, Sir, and he'd be glad if you would join him in the library."
On obeying the summons, Roger found Colonel Thursby sitting behind a big mahogany desk-table, sipping a glass of Madeira. His longish, intellectual face appeared grave but showed no sign of undue worry. Motioning to the decanter and a clean glass that stood beside it, he said: "You'll have heard, no doubt, that all went smoothly and that the matter is now officially closed; but I think it well that I should put certain facts before you. Pour yourself a glass of wine, my boy, and make yourself comfortable."
With a word of thanks, Roger did as he was bid, wondering what the devil was coming now.
"As you may be aware," the Colonel began, "Sir Humphrey having died without issue, his heir is his eldest uncle, who now becomes Sir Isaiah Etheredge. I despatched a courier to him yesterday to inform him of his nephew's death, and I suggested that the funeral should take place on Wednesday. We may therefore expect him here tomorrow, or even, possibly, to-night, if curiosity moves him to seek a detailed account of the tragedy before the rest of the family arrive. He will benefit to some extent on coming into the baronetcy, but not to the degree that he would have done had Humphrey not married Georgina."
"Under her marriage settlement she retains Stillwaters for life, does she not, Sir?" Roger put in.
The Colonel nodded. "And a sufficient capital to keep it up. That will absorb the greater part of the Etheredge fortune as long as she lives; and since Sir Isaiah is a man of well over fifty 'tis unlikely that he will ever enjoy the house or the income that goes with it. The marriage settlement was exceptionally rigorous; and, by it, Georgina has secured very much more than the average widow's portion. I do not blame her for insisting on such terms, as she could have married a much richer man had she wished. On the other hand one can hardly blame Sir Isaiah and the rest of the Etheredge clan from bearing her considerable ill-will in consequence. I trust I have made the situation clear to you?"
"You have, Sir," Roger replied, much relieved to think that the Colonel had nothing more serious on his mind than some slight unpleasantness over money matters with Georgina's in-laws.
"Then you will realise that Sir Isaiah has a very special reason for interesting himself in Georgina's affairs."
Roger looked a little puzzled. "I do not see how anything she may do can alter the situation to his advantage?"
The Colonel gave him a quick, sideways glance. "Should she announce it as her intention to re-marry quite shortly, that might do so."
"I was under the impression that she would continue to enjoy Stillwaters whether she re-married or not."
"Those are the terms of the settlement; but it was not that which I had in mind. I see that I must ask you a leading question. Are you contemplating asking Georgina for her hand?"
Roger coloured slightly. "I waited on her after dinner last night, Sir, and we discussed the question then. The conclusion we reached was that, fond as we are of one another, to embark on marriage was to risk the wrecking of our long friendship; and as we count that very precious we should be wiser to remain only friends."
"I am much relieved to hear it," said the Colonel. "Not, let me hasten to add, that I should have anything against you as a son-in-law. Far from it, I am extremely fond of you, and have a high opinion of your abilities. Georgina has ample money for you both and I am well aware of your devotion to one another; so in normal circumstances I should give the match my blessing most willingly."
"I thank you, Sir, for your good opinion of me. But if those are your sentiments, may I ask why you should be so relieved that Georgina and I have decided against marriage?"
"Because I consider that your association with her has become highly dangerous to you both; and any announcement of your intention to marry would draw Sir Isaiah's attention to it."
"I fear I don't quite follow you, Sir."
"Then it seems that I shall have to go into matters which I would have preferred to avoid." The Colonel looked at Roger squarely. "I tell you nothing that you do not already know, when I say that while Georgina is a most lovable young woman, her morals, by orthodox standards, leave much to be desired. For that, the passionate nature, she inherited with her mother's blood is partly accountable, but I am also much to blame. I emancipated her mind from the narrow outlook to which those of girls are usually confined, and brought her up to think as a man. As a man of honour, I trust, but one with a sense of values quite different from those of most of her sex. My intention, in so doing was to enable her to stand on her own feet, and get the best out of life by fighting men with their own weapons, as well as those natural to her, whenever the need should arise. I do not regret it; but I cannot disguise from myself that while my policy has, in the main, helped to create a remarkably fine personality, it has, in some respects, exposed its subject to the over-hasty judgment of others."
Having paused to take a pinch of snuff, the Colonel went on: "Since Georgina thinks like a man where her amours are concerned, she also acts like one. She goes gaily about such matters and takes little trouble to conceal them. In consequence, many people consider her to be quite unprincipled. You and I know that is not the case. Yet there are some who believe that she would stick at nothing to gain her ends; even, yes—even the murder of her husband."
Roger sat deathly still for a moment; then he said in a low voice: "Perhaps, Sir, you would care to—er—elucidate."
"Again I regret the necessity," said the Colonel, quietly. "But 'tis imperative that you should know where you stand. I ask you neither to admit or deny anything that I may suggest, but the following are certain points which could hardly help occurring to anyone in my position. Count Vorontzoff's note has been satisfactorily explained; but did he really send it at Georgina's instigation? We knew that she had grown to dislike her husband, but 'tis entirely out of character for her to play stupid practical jokes on anyone; and the last thing she would have embarked upon deliberately was any project to bring Sir Humphrey here. If she did not inspire the note why did Vorontzoff send it? And why did they both say yesterday that they had planned this Fool Day joke' between them? Was that collusion, brought about through a mutual urge to prevent certain unpalatable facts emerging at the inquiry? In any case there is no getting away from the contents of the note. Its gist was that if Sir Humphrey at once got to horse he would catch Georgina with a lover in her room. If she did inspire that note she was expecting her husband in the early hours of Sunday morning, so would certainly have seen to it that she had no lover with her then. But was she really alone when Sir Humphrey burst in upon her? I do not think so; and I will tell you why. I was present when his body was examined by the doctor. It had a large purple bruise just below the heart."
With his eyes fixed on the carpet, Roger strove to fight down the agitation he was feeling, as the level voice continued.
"The bruise was just such a one as might have been made by a fist striking a hard blow—a harder blow than any Georgina could have struck. But if it came to light that such a blow was delivered in her presence, the fact that she has concealed this attack upon her husband, which doubtless contributed to his death,
would be taken as proof that she was concerned in it—and she will be judged equally guilty with his attacker."
White to the lips, Roger suddenly looked up. "I beg you, Sir, inform me of the worst? Does anyone else suspect. ..."
The Colonel shook his head. "I trust not. Fortunately I was able to provide a plausible theory to account for the bruise. I remarked that it was probably the result of a fall; and that Sir Humphrey might easily have had one the previous afternoon, as he was known to have ridden a dangerous horse in the Goodwood point-to-point. The doctor's mind being entirely free from suspicion, he accepted that explanation and made no reference to it in his evidence."
Knowing that the Colonel would never betray Georgina, Roger gave a great sigh of relief. "You comfort me mightily, Sir; for it seems that all is well."
"Nay. I fear we cannot consider ourselves out of the wood, as yet. From ancient times motive and opportunity have oft alone been enough to cause suspicious minds, to probe, unearth the truth and exact a fatal penalty. That you have been, and are, Georgina's lover, she has never sought to conceal from me; and,- unfortunately, owing to her casual disregard of the most elementary precautions, at least half-a-dozen of the servants here must have good reason to suspect it. If it comes to Sir Isaiah's knowledge that Georgina did have a lover staying in the house, he mightbegin to play with the idea that she had encompassed her husband's death because she wished to share Still-waters openly with her paramour."
Roger paled again. "You mean, Sir, that if Sir Isaiah once becomes suspicious he will leave no stone unturned which might lead to Georgina's conviction; since, could he but bring about her death, he would, after all, come into Stillwaters and the bulk of the Etheredge money?"
The Colonel finished his wine. "That is the nightmare possibility which has haunted me for the past twenty-four hours. Yet by a simple precaution it can be reduced to an unlikely chance. I refer to the elimination of the motive. If you do not share Stillwaters with Georgina, either as her husband or her lover, why should anyone suspect that Sir Humphrey was the victim of a crime?"
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