Free A Death by Arson by Caroline Dunford Page B

suggesting you did anything. I understand it was Sir Richard’s behaviour that was to blame. She is now saying she will not marry a monster. I need you to come and convince her that Sir Richard will make a good bridegroom.’
    I swallowed. ‘I really do not think you have the right person,’ I said.
    â€˜I can hardly ask his sister. I believe it was their conflict that agitated the whole situation.’
    â€˜I am surprised that you would urge a young woman into an arrangement she now regrets making. You are still a member of the Sisterhood, are you not?’
    Even by the candlelight, I could see Mary’s face darken. ‘Things are not always as simple as one would wish,’ she said. ‘Will you come or not?’
    I hesitated. ‘I cannot think that giving Lucinda my opinion of Sir Richard will help,’ I said baldly.
    â€˜Well, if you will not help I shall have to have Sir Richard’s servants rouse him to attempt to make amends.’
    â€˜Surely her parents can help? And forgive me, but what business is this of yours?’
    â€˜Lucinda is my cousin on my mother’s side. As for her parents, neither of them is in good health and I would rather not distress them.’
    A great many retorts came to mind, but I only said, ‘I will come, but I am not sure my intervention will secure the outcome you wish.’
    â€˜Her circumstances may make you change your mind,’ said Mary cryptically. She then refused to answer further questions and I had no choice but to follow her bobbing candle light along the passage.
    As I had been told, Lucinda’s bedroom was on the same level as my own, so we managed to reach her room without the interference of any servants. At her door, Mary halted. ‘I want you, on your honour, to promise me you will not advise my cousin ill for your own purposes, and that you will tell her nothing but what you know to be true. I have seen before how you can fantasise the truth.’
    Anger and shame boiled inside my chest. Reason told me that Mary had little reason to believe in me after I had wrongly accused her of murder but, likewise, she had no knowledge of the number of issues I had resolved correctly, especially those in the service of King and Country. ‘I promise,’ I said through gritted teeth.
    Mary waited a moment more, as if deciding if she could trust my word, and then opened the door. Lying in front of the fire, on the most beautiful Persian rug, was the violently sobbing figure of Lucinda. At our entrance, she sat up, tears streaming down her beautiful face, her blue eyes brimming with more – I noted that unlike Richenda, this was a female who could cry to advantage – and reached out a hand to me melodramatically.
    â€˜At last,’ she cried, ‘Someone who will tell me the truth.’

Chapter Twelve
Lucinda sees sense
    I managed to get Lucinda to stop crying and sit in a chair, by dint of refusing to speak to her until she stopped her ‘dreadful noise.’ 9
    Lucinda was now hiccupping softly like a puppy that has gobbled down one too many biscuits. My initial impression that she was interested in little beyond the details of her wedding was confirmed at the sudden onslaught of tears when she suddenly said, ‘Now I will never wear my dress, and it suits me so well.’
    I heard Mary sigh beside me and for once felt completely in sympathy. ‘What exactly is it that distresses you, Lucinda?’ I asked.
    â€˜Richard is a monster,’ she said, her eyes widening. ‘You saw how his face became reddened and he roared. He looked positively inhuman.’
    â€˜He was upset,’ I said. ‘Stapleford Hall has long been a bitter bone of contention within his family.’
    â€˜So he only wants me so he can own the Hall?’ asked Lucinda.
    My tongue tied itself into knots. Unexpectedly, Mary came to my rescue. ‘Lucy, you know full well that the purpose of marriage is to