Free 01 - Murder at Ashgrove House by Margaret Addison Page B

more so than was strictly warranted, because of the relief
that she felt at his appearing to be nothing like his wife. In appearance, he
was very similar to Sir William, in that he had similar colouring, was about
the same age with the same style trim moustache and like Sir William was
wearing a tweed suit. It was only after the meal, when the two men had risen,
that Rose saw that the earl was taller than Sir William by a head or so, and
somewhat slighter in build.
    After lunch, it appeared that Sir William had important correspondence to
deal with in his study and that Lord Belvedere was keen to return to his books.
Lady Withers made a half-hearted attempt to engage all the women in
conversation, but failed spectacularly as Lady Belvedere cut her dead with a
glance and demanded the use of her morning room for half an hour or so in order
that she could continue her one-sided conversation with her daughter. Lavinia
initially looked minded to refuse to go with her mother, but then seemed to
think better of it, as if it was best to get it over and done with as soon as
possible so that she could get on with enjoying the weekend. She gave Rose a
resigned look and followed her mother out of the room.
    ‘My sister really is too bad,’ said Lady Withers, looking after the
retreating figures, ‘if only she’d leave poor Lavinia alone and stop trying to
dictate to her all the time. Then the poor girl wouldn’t feel so obliged to
constantly rebel. I do so feel for Lavinia. William and I, not having been
blessed with children of our own, have always rather thought of Lavinia and
Cedric as our son and daughter, rather than as our niece and nephew. Oh, I was
so hoping that we’d all have a nice quiet weekend together. We do so like
meeting Lavinia’s friends, but I’m afraid my sister does have a tendency to
spoil things. She was just the same when we were children, always bossing
everyone around, determined to get her own way.’
    ‘I’m sure we’ll have a wonderful time, Lady Withers,’ replied Rose
feeling rather awkward that Lady Withers had spoken to her so frankly. ‘Sir
William was just telling me over luncheon all about your lovely gardens. It
would be so wonderful to see them, if you don’t mind, of course. It’s so nice
to be out of London and such a wonderful sunny day.’
    ‘Of course, my dear, I don’t suppose you’re used to seeing such things,’
replied Lady Withers, looking relieved and proceeding out of one of the French
windows. ‘I expect that you live in a ghastly little house with absolutely no
garden to speak of. If we just go along the terrace here we’ll get to the rose
garden and then I’ll take you to see the other gardens. They are rather
beautiful I can tell you, although, of course, I know absolutely nothing about
flowers or gardening really. We’re so fortunate to still have Bridges; you
won’t believe how many families around here have lost their gardeners. They
went off to war and never came back, or those who did decided that domestic
service was beneath them. Yes, I suppose we are lucky, really, what with having
Bridges and Stafford and Mrs Palmer. Perhaps it’s going to be all right after
all. Perhaps I was wrong when I thought that something dreadful was bound to
happen this weekend.’

Chapter Seven
     
    ‘It’s no use, Mother, I’m not going to -,’ began Lavinia, as she followed
Lady Belvedere into Lady Withers’ morning room and closed the door behind her.
    ‘Oh, do be quiet, Lavinia,’ said her mother impatiently, turning around
and giving her daughter such a glare that the words froze on Lavinia’s tongue,
and she was forced instead to give her mother her full attention. ‘I am tired
of this. In my day girls were always obedient to their parents’ wishes.
Nowadays young people seem to think that they know best; in that, I can tell
you, they are very much mistaken. You are not going to go back to that awful
little dress shop and that is that; there is no discussion