Murder on the Flying Scotsman by Carola Dunn Read Free Book Online Page B

to find grounds to object to a charity inheriting than a non-relative.’
    ‘So he hopes. He’s going to consult brother Alistair’s solicitor this afternoon about the best way to do it. I gather Mr. Braeburn is on his way to Dunston Castle with the
rest.’
    ‘So I’ve heard. You have considered, haven’t you, that Alistair McGowan may change his will first?’
    ‘Yes.’ Jagai’s face lost its brightness and settled back into lines of tiredness. He shrugged his shoulders. ‘If so, if old Alistair disinherits his brother, I
shan’t be any worse off than I was before.’
    ‘I hope you get it all ,’ said Belinda, who had been listening in silence.
    ‘So do I,’ said Chandra Jagai, giving her a weary smile, ‘but after all, Alistair has as much right as Albert to do what he wants with what’s his.’

 
    CHAPTER 5
    ‘Bel!’ Kitty appeared in the doorway. ‘It’s nearly . . . Oh, hallo. Who are you? Never say you’re the infamous Chandra Jagai?’
    ‘Kitty, really!’ Daisy exclaimed.
    ‘Oops, sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.’ She studied the Indian with interest. ‘But are you?’
    Jagai laughed. ‘I am. You are a McGowan descendant, I take it.’
    ‘Yes, I’m a Gillespie. Kitty Gillespie. How do you do?’ She shook hands. ‘You aren’t a bit like I expected.’
    ‘He’s a doctor, Kitty,’ Belinda informed her.
    ‘Golly, really? And everyone’s been saying . . .’ She caught Daisy’s admonitory eye and cut herself short. ‘Yes, well, I’m happy to make your acquaintance,
Dr. Jagai.’ Her momentary grand manner evaporated. ‘But it’s time for lunch and I came to see if Bel may sit with me. Please, Miss Dalrymple?’
    The steward’s voice sounded in the corridor. ‘Lunch is now being served. Lunch now being served!’
    ‘Have you asked your mother, Kitty?’ Daisy asked.
    ‘At first she said no, but then Raymond told her you’re an Honourable so she changed her mind,’ Kitty said with her usual devastating frankness.
    ‘Oh dear!’ Daisy had never understood why her courtesy title should be regarded as a guarantee of respectability. It was no more reasonable than Mrs. Fletcher’s antipathy.
    ‘Now she’s just glad I’ve found a friend to keep me from pestering her,’ said Kitty.
    Daisy laughed. ‘Right-oh, run along, Belinda. I’ll come in a minute.’
    ‘I shan’t eat much,’ Belinda said anxiously. ‘I know it’s awfully expensive eating on a train.’
    ‘You eat as much as you want, darling. We can’t have your grandmother accusing me of starving you. Just don’t order the smoked salmon!’
    The girls said good-bye to the doctor and went off.
    ‘If you are short of funds, Miss Dalrymple,’ the young Indian said hesitantly, ‘I should be happy to lend you . . .’
    ‘That’s very kind of you, Dr. Jagai, but I can manage a few shillings for lunch. I wasn’t expecting Belinda to travel with me, you see, or I should have gone third class and
brought sandwiches.’
    ‘As I have.’ He grinned, his teeth gleaming in his dark face. ‘And more than ready for them I am.’
    ‘Good-bye, then. Perhaps we shall see you again later.’
    Daisy powdered her nose and regretfully put on her hat. The restaurant car was altogether too public to be seen without one. She made her way thither.
    Belinda, solemnly studying the menu, sat with Kitty at a table set with white napery, silver cutlery, sparkling glasses, and a small vase of spring flowers. Peter and Jeremy
Gillespie, at the next pair of tables, introduced their respective wives to Daisy. She felt sorry for Matilda, who was very pregnant and whose blotched face and red eyes suggested recent tears.
Beyond them were Anne and Harold Bretton, without Tabitha and the baby.
    Anne waved to Daisy, pointing to the table across the aisle from them, but Daisy shook her head and mouthed a polite refusal. She took a seat directly opposite Belinda, so that she could help in
case of difficulties. Belinda gave her a