Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen Read Free Book Online Page B

looked horrified, because he stopped and guided her to the sofa, where they sat down together. He held her hands in his and continued.
    â€œMorris Valentine was still staying at the dower house with Mother and he came over to the wood immediately. He’s going to conduct an inquiry into Teddy’s death.”
    She nodded, but couldn’t quite take in what he was saying. After a moment she asked if Teddy had been shot and was completely unprepared for his response that he had been hanged. She gasped, and her hands came up halfway to her face, as if to protect herself from seeing the hideous image that had jumped into her mind. Her husband put his arms protectively around her, pulled her to him, and held her until she was able to understand what had happened.
    â€œRalph, did you see Teddy?” she finally asked.
    â€œYes, my dear, a terrible death. I can’t imagine who would want … He was heedless and selfish, but nothing he could have done…” His voice trailed off. She saw how wretched and uncertain he was as he turned away from her to stare out of the window again. She reached out and took his hands in hers, shaking them gently to regain his attention.
    â€œRalph, you did everything you could to help him grow up to be a decent man. Christina was always so distracted. Teddy either had too much attention from her or none at all. Now what are we to do?” Clementine knew immediately that things had to be done and was ready to move into the next phase, the one she was always most comfortable with, the business of doing. “Does Valentine have any idea how long his inquiry will take?”
    â€œProbably a couple of days; after all, no one here killed him and we know our local poachers are not murderers.” He almost smiled. “Valentine will break the news to our guests. Harry’s in there now with him.” He waved a hand toward the study.
    â€œHarry’s with him!” Clementine straightened up. Her eyes were fixed on his face and she was holding her hands tightly together, alarm flashing through her body. “Why is Harry with him?”
    â€œSteady on, darling, no need for alarm. Of course he has to talk to Harry; they were all up at Christ Church together. He’ll be talking to all the boys—they know more about Teddy’s life than we do.”
    Clementine said nothing. But she felt cold and her mouth went dry as she remembered the awful incident she had witnessed at the boathouse yesterday afternoon, when she had heard her son threaten Teddy with his life: I’ll break your damn neck …
    She came out of this awful reverie to find that Hollyoak had arrived and was asking Lord Montfort to join Colonel Valentine in the study.
    â€œAsk Lord Haversham to come in here while I am gone, Hollyoak. Lady Montfort should not be alone.” Her husband stood up and left the room and within minutes the door opened again and Harry joined her.
    Lost in her thoughts and struggling to regain equanimity, Clementine could barely trust her voice to speak when her son came into the room. But she was sufficiently recovered to watch his face closely. Did he look tense? He was wary perhaps, she thought—yes, definitely wary. But it was so hard to tell with Harry.
    â€œMother, come and sit down. What can I get you?” He was as solicitous as if she had been caught in a rainstorm and still had wet feet.
    â€œHarry, I … Teddy … I’m quite shattered.”
    â€œWell, Mother, it’s a shattering thing. Poor old Teddy, I can’t quite take it in.” Harry led her back to the window seat and sat down in a chair facing her. She stared into his eyes and all she found looking back at her was kindness and concern. How could she suspect him of something so dreadful? Her son could never have done this terrible thing, it just wasn’t possible. But she asked, “What did Valentine say?” and kept her eyes on his face,