Death and the Black Pyramid by Deryn Lake Read Free Book Online Page B

developments.’
    The dancing master was clearly flustered because he clapped his hands together and said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, you may have the rest of this morning off. I shall see you here at two o’clock sharply.’
    There was a loud shout of delight and a charge towards the door. Cuthbert sighed. ‘No matter how hard I try they behave like little hoydens.’
    â€˜Boys will be boys, I suppose,’ John answered cheerfully. His gaze fell on two young ladies walking neatly towards the exit. ‘Now that couple do you credit. Who are they?’
    â€˜The Lady Felicity Sidmouth – the Earl’s sister. And the Honourable Miranda Tremayne. She’s some sort of cousin and stays here as a guest.’
    â€˜I see.’
    As they drew level the pair dropped neat bobs and John made an effusive bow in return. Miranda gave him a saucy glance and as she went through the door turned to look at him over her shoulder.
    â€˜My goodness, she’s going to grow up a beauty.’
    â€˜She already is,’ sighed Cuthbert. ‘She has half the young men in the county calling on her. She is also my favourite pupil, being anxious to learn every dance there is.’
    He was clearly relaxing now that the subject of Gorringe had been dropped but John felt it was his duty to persevere.
    â€˜Did you know William Gorringe before the journey to Exeter?’ he asked casually.
    The colour swept back into Cuthbert’s cheeks and he answered very swiftly, ‘No. No indeed. The man was a complete stranger to me until we met on the coach.’
    He was just a little too emphatic John thought. But he felt he could question the dancing master no further. He got up from the chair to which Cuthbert had motioned him.
    â€˜Well, my friend, I’ll bid you adieu . I just thought I ought to warn you before the Constable descends on you.’
    He watched the little man suddenly drain of colour. ‘When will that be, do you know?’
    John shook his head. ‘I’m afraid that I have no idea. But come I think he will.’
    â€˜Well, I can tell him nothing,’ Cuthbert answered, and turned away.
    John found the ladies in the kitchens, stirring large saucepans of jam. They looked up as he entered the room.
    â€˜Ah, there you are,’ said Elizabeth, gesturing with her wooden spoon.
    John leaned over to sniff the jam. ‘Smells good.’ He straightened and looked at Lady Sidmouth. ‘Would it be too much trouble to have a word with Miss Lovell?’
    â€˜The dark beauty? Yes, by all means. She is upstairs in the sewing room. I’ll take you to her myself.’
    â€˜And I’ll go too,’ said Elizabeth. ‘I must have a look at this wondrous creature.’
    I do believe she’s jealous, thought John, and was intensely pleased with himself.
    They went up the main staircase then ascended the wooden spiral used by the servants to get to the top floor. And it was here, sitting in a room that could easily become dark on a gloomy day, that Jemima Lovell sat, accompanied by a girl of about fourteen who was stitching a pile of shirts of varying sizes. Jemima looked up as the trio entered. She got to her feet and gave a hasty curtsey, while the girl did likewise.
    â€˜Lady Sidmouth, how nice to see you.’ Her eyes widened. ‘And Mr Rawlings. How do you do, sir?’
    Elizabeth spoke up. ‘What is that you are working on, my dear?’
    â€˜A headdress, Ma’am.’ And Jemima passed it to Elizabeth, carefully removing the needle before she did so.
    â€˜Why, it’s beautiful. What a clever girl you are. Where did you find her, Dorothy?’
    John’s conviction that Elizabeth was green about the eye redoubled.
    Lady Sidmouth snorted. ‘In London, of course. The place that you shun, my girl.’
    â€˜I prefer the country, it’s true.’ She turned her attention to Jemima. ‘And whereabouts do you work, my