AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If she intended telling people,” Monk replied. “To rape a maid is apparently acceptable, but would you have viewed it with the same leniency had he raped your daughter? And would Mrs. Kellard, if she knew?”
Basil’s face was scored with deep lines, now all dragged downward with distaste and anxiety.
“She does not know,” he said slowly, meeting Monk’s eyes. “I trust I make myself plain, Inspector? For her to be aware of Myles’s indiscretion would distress her, and serve no purpose. He is her husband and will remain so. I don’t know what women do in your walk of life, but in ours they bear their difficulties with dignity and silence. Do you understand me?”
“Of course I do,” Monk said tartly. “If she does not know now, I shall not tell her unless it becomes necessary—by which time I imagine it will be common knowledge. Similarly may I ask you, sir, not to forewarn Mr. Kellard of my knowledge in the matter. I can hardly expect him to confess to anything, but I may learn quite a lot from his first reaction when I speak to him about it.”
“You expect me to …” Basil began indignantly, then his voice faded away as he realized what he was saying.
“I do,” Monk agreed with a downward turn of his mouth. “Apart from the ends of justice towards Mrs. Haslett, you and I both know that it was someone in this house. If you protect Mr. Kellard to save scandal—and Mrs. Kellard’s feelings—you only prolong the investigation, the suspicion, Lady Moidore’s distress—and it will still come down to someone in the house in the end.”
For a moment their eyes met, and there was intense dislike—and complete understanding.
“If Mrs. Kellard needs to know, I will be the one to tell her,” Basil stated.
“If you wish,” Monk agreed. “Although I would not leave it too long. If I can learn of it, so may she—”
Basil jerked upward. “Who told you? It damned well wasn’t Myles! Was it Lady Moidore?”
“No, I have not spoken to Lady Moidore.”
“Well, don’t stand there, man! Who was it?”
“I prefer not to say, sir.”
“I don’t give a damn what you prefer! Who was it?”
“If you force me, sir—I decline to say.”
“You—you what?” He tried to outstare Monk, and then realized he could not intimidate him without a specific threat and that he was not prepared at this point to make one. He looked down again; he was not used to being defied, and he had no ready reaction. “Well pursue your investigation for the moment, but I will know in the end, I promise you.”
Monk did not force his victory; it was too tenuous and the temper between them too volatile.
“Yes sir, very possibly. Since she is the only other person you are aware of having known of this, may I speak with Lady Moidore, please?”
“I doubt she can tell you anything. I dealt with the affair.”
“I’m sure you did, sir. But she knew of it, and may have observed emotions in people that you did not. She would have opportunities not afforded you, domestic occasions; and women are more sensitive to such things, on the whole.”
Basil hesitated.
Monk thought of several arguments: the quick ending of the case, some justice for Octavia—and then caution argued that Octavia was dead and Basil might well think that saving the reputations of those alive was more important. He could do nothing for Octavia now, but he could still protect Araminta from deep shame and hurt. Monk ended by saying nothing.
“Very well,” Basil agreed reluctantly. “But have the nurse present, and if Lady Moidore is distressed, you will cease immediately. Is that understood?”
“Yes sir,” Monk said instantly. To have Hester’s impressions also was an advantage he had not thought to look for. “Thank you.”
Again he was required to wait while Beatrice dressed appropriately for receiving the police, and some half an hour later it was Hester herself who came to the morning room to collect him and take him to the withdrawing room.
“Shut the door,” he ordered as soon as she was inside.
She obeyed, watching him curiously. “Do you know something?” she asked, her tone guarded, as though whatever it was she would find it only partly welcome.
He waited until the latch was fast and she had returned to the center of the floor.
“There was a maid here about two years ago who charged that Myles Kellard raped her, and she was promptly dismissed without a character.”
“Oh—” She looked startled. Obviously she had heard nothing of it from the servants. Then, as amazement dissolved, she was furiously angry, the hot color in her cheeks. “You mean they threw her out? What happened to Myles?”
