‘Rose! Surely you weren’t going to leave without saying goodbye?’
‘Oh, Cedric, I didn’t know what I should do. I know you must hate me, what with my telling the police that you had overheard my argument with your mother and then your father only did what he did because –.’
‘Rose, I don’t blame you at all. In fact I admire you enormously for being prepared to tell the truth, no matter what. Lavinia, I’m afraid, doesn’t feel quite the same as I do, but she’ll come round.’ He moved forward and took her hand. ‘I know this is totally the wrong time to say anything. We must let the dust settle and there’s likely to be some frightful publicity concerning all that’s happened, although that inspector chap was jolly decent. He told me that he’ll do what he can to prevent some of the more sensational aspects of this case from getting into the newspapers. But I just want you to know, Rose, that I meant everything I said. This doesn’t change a thing as far as I’m concerned. No, please don’t say anything now, just tell me I have reason to hope, that I –.’ The remainder of Cedric’s sentence was cut short due to Rose throwing herself into his arms, at which point they surrendered to a passionate embrace.
‘I don’t know what the world’s coming to, Stafford, I really don’t,’ said Lady Withers, emerging from the drawing room with her butler in tow. ‘First Edith and now Cedric and Rose. In my day such public displays of affection were considered vulgar. I do hope you won’t get any ideas about Mrs Palmer, Stafford. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.’
‘No, indeed not, m’lady,’ replied Stafford, for once abandoning his impassive air, and instead looking visibly shocked.
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