Page 44 of The Secret Castle in the Highlands

Augustus swished his burgundy coattails and performed his heavy-footed pacing up and down the drawing room. ‘Well, I do not possess the time nor the inclination to organise this.’

‘I assumed as such,’ I answered quickly. ‘I am therefore more than content to organise a tutor for Oscar.’

Augustus dashed one hand over his pale hair. ‘Thank you, my dear.’ He came towards me and pressed his fingers into my upper arms. My stomach clenched.

‘I am so very fortunate to have such a loyal and obedient wife.’ I froze as he came closer, forcing his lips against mine. ‘Keep me informed of your progress,’ he called airily as he strode towards the door. ‘But please ensure that you are not overly generous with the remuneration for this individual.’

I smiled tightly.

‘Oh and, Georgina…’

‘Yes?’

‘That shade of lilac does you no favours.’

Stung, I stared down at the gown I was wearing. It was one of my favourites, with its narrow, V-shaped bodice and fluttery lace detail on the fluted sleeves.

‘I would very much prefer to see you in the red silk I purchased for you.’ His stony eyes flashed at me. ‘I think it would be far more becoming.’

And make me look like that brash young woman who frequents the Jolly Jester, I decided inwardly.

The red gown in question carried black feathers around the scooped neckline and on the hem. It was a strident, off-the-shoulder affair. I had been reliably informed that Augustus and this girl were ‘known’ to one another and so, on a dark summer’s evening recently, I had disguised myself and persuaded Harris to take me to the Jolly Jester tavern.

‘Madam,’ insisted Harris. ‘With respect, I would ask you to reconsider. That tavern is of very questionable repute.’

‘As is my husband, it would seem.’

Harris coloured but said nothing.

‘I promise that I shall not make my presence felt. I am merely curious.’

Harris placed his hands behind his back and looked at me levelly. ‘You know I cannot refuse you anything, madam.’

Surprise registered in his deep-set, grey eyes as I took one of his hands in mine. ‘That is because you are a true friend, Harris.’

And so it was that June evening, with the darkness wrapping itself around Port Starr like a giant cloak and oil lamps as tiny as shining pinpricks, that Harris harnessed our horses and took me by carriage to the Jolly Jester.

Chapter Twenty-Two

‘What?’ I blurted. ‘He sounded a real bastard. No wonder she took a lover.’

Mason shook his head in disgust. ‘Yep. A real piece of work.’

‘So, Augustus Lapley was an utter dick,’ I pressed, desperate to read Georgina’s private thoughts. ‘And then she met someone else? Was it the Scarlet Highwayman? Does she name him?’

‘Slow down, Miss Marple,’ said Mason, waggling his phone. ‘No, she doesn’t name him – at least not as far as I’ve got.’ He popped the diary back inside his zip case and dumped it behind him and beside Darwin on the back seat. ‘Come on. Let’s get Darwin settled back at mine and then we can grab something to eat somewhere. I’ll tell you more then.’

I thought about heading out somewhere for dinner and my aching feet protested. Without thinking it through, I asked, ‘Why don’t you both come back to my place, and I’ll rustle up some dinner?’

Mason appeared almost as surprised as I was.

I rearranged my face into one of casual indifference. ‘It’s going to rain soon,’ I said matter-of-factly, ‘and today has been pretty exhausting, what with the official opening of the cottages and hooded figures delivering old diaries.’

Mason studied me for a moment. Then he nodded. ‘That sounds good. Thanks, Poppy.’

‘My pleasure. How does sea bass sound?’

‘Wonderful.’