Free A Christmas Grace by Anne Perry

person at least would feel guilt.
    â€œYes, of course,” Susannah said a trifle sharply. “We’ll all feel better tomorrow.”
    But in the morning Susannah was so weak that when she came into the kitchen she had to clutch at the back of a chair to keep from losing her balance and falling.
    Emily leaped to her feet and caught her, steadying her with both arms and easing her to sit.
    â€œI’m all right!” Susannah said weakly. “I just need a little breakfast. Have you seen Daniel this morning?”
    â€œNot yet, but I heard him up. Susannah, please go back to bed. You aren’t well enough to walk to church. The wind is still strong.”
    â€œI told you,” Susannah said sharply, “I’ll feel far better when I’ve had a cup of tea and something to eat—”
    â€œSusannah,” Emily cut across her, commanding her attention, “you can’t go to church like this. It will embarrass everyone, mostly you. We should be there to thank God for Daniel’s life, and to pay our respects to those who were lost, whoever they were.”
    â€œDaniel can’t go alone…” Susannah started.
    â€œI’ll go with him. The church can’t be difficult to find.”
    â€œYou’re not Catholic,” Susannah pointed out. There was a very slight smile in her eyes. “I know you don’t even approve, never mind believe.”
    â€œDo
you
?” Emily asked. “Or was it for Hugo?”
    Susannah smiled ruefully. “To begin with it was for Hugo. But afterwards, it was for myself.” Her voice dropped. “Especially after Hugo died. I believed it because he had. It reminded me of all that he was.”
    Emily felt an overwhelming sorrow for her. And she realized with a stab of ugly surprise that she knew Jack’s politics in detail. She had helped him in all kinds of projects and battles and she was proud of what he had achieved. But she had no idea what his religious beliefs were. They both went to church on most Sundays, but so did everyone else. They had never discussed why.
    â€œThis would be a good time for me to look,” she said aloud. “Ignorance is not a reason for disbelieving anything.”
    â€œBut you don’t know—”
    â€œWhy you want to go?” Emily finished for her. “Yes I do. Father Tyndale told me.”
    Susannah looked confused. “Told you what? About the church?”
    â€œNo, about Connor Riordan—seven years ago.”
    â€œOh! He told you…”
    â€œIsn’t that why you wanted me here?” Emily persisted. “To help you look for the truth?”
    â€œI didn’t know there was going to be a storm this bad,” Susannah said quietly, her face ashen. “And no one could have known Daniel would come.”
    â€œOf course not. But you still needed to know who killed Connor and be sure in your own heart that Hugo was not protecting someone he cared for out of loyalty, or pity.”
    Susannah was so pale it seemed as if there could be no blood under her skin. Emily felt pierced by guilt, but to retreat now would leave the matter torn open, yet still unresolved, worse than if she had not touched it.
    â€œI’ll take Daniel to church,” she repeated. “I’ll watch, and tell you what happens. Don’t worry about luncheon. There’s cold meat, and a few vegetables will take no time at all.”
    She walked along the road beside Daniel, who was dressed in one of Hugo’s better suits. It was too large for him, but he made no comment on it except to smile at himself, and touch the texture of the cloth with appreciation.
    They spoke little. Daniel was still weak and bruised, and it took him both effort and self-discipline to move with the appearance of ease, and to keep up a reasonable pace against the wind.
    Emily thought of her family at home, and wondered with a touch of self-mockery what Jack would think if he could