Page 144 of A Much Maligned Miss

“Announcing it. We can be vague about the date. Just say ‘lately married’ and maybe a line or two about staying with Lord and Lady Faris at their London residence.”

“I—oh, you mean about our marriage,” she said weakly. “I was actually alluding to…this whole terrible business with Mama.”

“Oh.” He pulled a face. “I don’t think we need to announce any of that. Inspector Hadley seemed reasonably discreet.”

“He did, didn’t he?” Caroline agreed. The inspector had also ruled out any idea of disturbing either her father’s or stepfather’s graves in the course of the investigation, stating that after all this time, proof of poisoning would be difficult, if not impossible to prove. He intended to focus solely on Sophy’s murder. Poor, tragic Sophy, who had died in her stead.

She swallowed, her mood taking a downturn. “Do you suppose the authorities from St. Ives will have turned up at Benham yet and demanded entrance to Mama’s room?” she asked apprehensively.

“Sure to have,” he answered, glancing toward the window which showed a night sky. “A simple telegram would have set those wheels in motion.”

“I hope Goring can be prevailed upon to confess. If she would only volunteer where Sophy’s body lies, so we can decently reinter her.” Her voice shook slightly and Gervaise passed an arm about her shoulder, comforting her. “Perhaps when she learns Mama has died… She was always so devoted to her.”

“The police will deal with her. Her cousin too. If he regains consciousness. Try not to worry.”

“If they—if they end up swinging on a gibbet—” she said, feeling rather sick.

“Then it will be no more than they deserve,” he cut in swiftly. “At least we have been spared your mother being sent to the gallows.”

“I did not even consider that,” she admitted shakily. “Inspector Hadley said it was not my fault that Mama ended up under those carriage wheels.”

“Of course it was not your fault!”

“All I could think about at the time was that if something had happened to me, you would never know how I feel about you. That I would never have the opportunity to tell you how much I love you.”

“Caroline…” he murmured harshly, enfolding her fully in his arms. He crushed his lips to her brow. “Tell me again.”

“I love you. So much.” He held her tightly for a full minute, then kissed the top of her head. “That is why, once I escaped, I resolved we should be married at once.”

“Even though you thought I would turn all outraged and appalled,” he mocked her gently.

“Well, it is very shocking, Gervaise, despite your reaction. You just love me too much to care.”

A smile lit up his face. “Very true. We will ride out the scandal together, never fear.”

“Yes,” she agreed bravely. “But it won’t be a small task. The locals will be sure to know all about the horrible business soon enough,” she continued in a troubled voice. “Sophy had a sweetheart, you know. The local fishmonger. Soon it will be all over Penarth. The Pebmarshes, the Rylands, the Tavistocks…they will all learn of it.”

“Yes,” he murmured, squeezing her. “But they will be led by the inhabitants of Vance Park as the premier house in the county. We can count on Jeremy and Emmeline to speak out on our behalf.”

“Oh yes, but there are others whose opinion will hold sway. Lady Sharpe for instance has connections everywhere. She can be something of a gossip.”

“Lady Sharpe is currently here in London, remember?”

“Oh yes, I had forgotten about that.”

“Perhaps we should strike first,” he mused. “And beard the dragon in her den. We could call on her this week and pour out our tale of woe. Enlist her sympathies. I bet she would love that. Then she could disseminate the news in bits and drabs to all her acquaintance. Hint at the dark misfortune that hangs over the new Countess Atherton,” he said, kissing the tip of her nose. “It could be helpful to our cause.” He ventured a quick, assessing glance at her. “It could even be, I don’t know, rather fun.”

Caroline gaped at him. “F-fun?” she stammered.

“I quite like the idea of them all whispering about my wife’s gothic childhood. It would certainly invest you with a good deal of mystery. All the society hostesses will be dashing off invitations for us to dine with them.”

Caroline looked astonished. “Do—do you really think Lady Sharpe would swallow such a tale?”

Gervaise laughed. “My darling, it happens to be nothing but the truth. And you did say she was no great supporter of your mother.”

“No, she never was, but still…”

“Emmeline could send her an invitation to take coffee here with us one morning. She is a great favorite of Lady Sharpe’s and I think such a plan would work. At least consider it a while before dismissing the idea out of hand.”