Free Food For The Gallows (The Underwood Mysteries Book 2) by Suzanne Downes

know of this if you are to remain under my brother’s roof.”
    At least he had the grace to look sheepish before admitting ruefully, “I hold up my hands, Underwood. Your wife was not mistaken. I do have a young friend – of whose existence my wife had no idea – but that does not mean I did not view Josie with the greatest respect and affection. The truth of the matter is, my wife was elderly and often unwell and – well, I am a man after all, and many men have mistresses!”
    Verity grew scarlet to the roots of her hair, but Underwood accepted the confession with equanimity, “Thank you for your candour, Mr. Dunstable. I realize that this concerns us in no way at all and you would have been quite within your rights to tell us to go to perdition.”
    “Not at all,” protested the young man, “Do you think I am not signally aware of the help you have already given me, and the future aid I trust you will offer? I consider you have the right to ask me anything at all, if it will help convince you both of my innocence. God! My poor Josie. I’ve scarcely had time to think of her in all this, so fearful have I been for my own safety. Underwood, I swear the Gedneys mean to see me hang, I know it. What shall I do?” This last cry of despair moved even Verity, who had been trying to remain impartial, but was swayed by her dislike of the man.
    His head sank into his open hands and his shoulders shook with barely restrained sobs. Verity and Underwood exchanged a glance over his bowed head, and Verity slowly nodded. Underwood took this gesture to mean that she was now prepared to allow Dunstable at least the benefit of the doubt. He would stay at the vicarage, for the present.
    Underwood considered his next move. He felt very strongly that he needed a doctor he could trust to perform the post mortem examination. He certainly did not intend to accept any choice of medic by the Gedneys. It was with this in mind that he wrote a short missive to the Constable, asking that the Coroner’s inquest, which was to be held next day, should immediately adjourn until further evidence of foul play could be gathered, and naming Francis Herbert as an excellent and trustworthy professional.
    Had she been aware of this move, Verity might well have pointed out that Francis might not wish to travel a distance of some twenty miles to perform an autopsy merely to oblige Underwood, but she was not consulted and knew nothing of Dr. Herbert’s involvement until he arrived two days later, bringing his wife and young son with him.
    To say that Verity was pleased to see her old friend would be to much understate the matter. She was not only delighted, but secretly rather relieved. She had been wanting to seek the advice of a doctor, but had not been able to do so without her husband knowing. More than ever now, she wanted to be sure of Underwood’s feelings for her before she told him of her condition, for she could foresee no greater misery than for them to be bound together by a child, in a loveless marriage. She had been almost convinced of his devotion before Charlotte’s arrival in Hanbury, but her insecurity, coupled with feeling constantly unwell had eroded all her self-confidence and she was less sure of him than she had ever been before.
    Francis gladly examined her and confirmed her pregnancy, but was rather concerned when she insisted upon confidentiality, even from Ellen. He tried to convince her that her worries about Underwood and Charlotte were unfounded, but failed miserably and decided in the end that he had no choice but to follow her wishes. His own experience with his wife had taught him that women could be infernally emotional at such times in their lives and were best humoured. If either Verity or Ellen had read his thoughts, he would have been soundly trounced!
    In the three days which had passed since Mrs. Dunstable’s death, Underwood had not been idle. He had consulted several books on the subject of poisons and poisonings