Silence in Court by Patricia Wentworth Read Free Book Online Page A

years. I’d like you to have it.”
    Carey lifted the brooch from the thin, dry palm. Her feelings were rather mixed. The word tomb cropped up again—it was like being given something out of a tomb. But it was very kind, and she had never had such a pretty brooch. Pleasure came to the top and stayed there. She put the brooch against the blue stuff of her dress, and saw how the colour deepened the big pale sapphire set round with small rose-diamond points.
    â€œIt’s lovely, Cousin Honoria.”
    Mrs. Maquisten nodded.
    â€œIt looks nice on your frock and on you, but it isn’t worth twopence—the sapphire is too pale. It’s just pretty—that’s all. I suppose you’d rather have diamonds?” The sharp eyes were lively and searching under quizzical brows.
    Carey shook her head. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWell, what’s the good of diamonds when you’ve got your living to earn?”
    Honoria Maquisten fingered her necklace.
    â€œDo you mean to say you wouldn’t say thank you for this?”
    Carey met her look with a laughing one.
    â€œWhat would I do with it? I couldn’t wear it.”
    â€œYou could sell it.” The voice was dry and cold.
    Carey flushed. “ Please , Cousin Honoria—”
    There was a rainbow flash as a hand came out and patted her.
    â€œThere, child—I’d no business to tease you. Put on the brooch and give me a kiss.”
    Nora was at dinner, vivid and ornamental in emerald green.
    â€œGot to match Aunt Honoria’s room,” she explained. “I don’t see why she should have it all her own way, and it might stir her up to give me an odd emerald or two. She’s got oodles of them.”
    When Magda did not appear, Carey asked where she was, and was answered by Dennis.
    â€œEvening out. Only one of our rays of sunshine tonight. Honor darling, be twice as sparkling as usual, won’t you. We don’t want our new cousin to think us dull.” His eyes came back to Carey and dwelt, sparkling, upon the sapphire brooch. “Where did you get the gewgaw?” Then, without waiting for an answer, “Elementary, my dear Watson. Aunt Honoria has begun to part—the thick end of the wedge.”
    Carey said, “It belonged to my grandmother.”
    â€œMeaning that Aunt Honoria didn’t give it to you—or that she did, but it used to belong to your grandmother?”
    â€œIt used to belong to my grandmother.”
    â€œA little disingenuous of you, darling.”
    â€œWell, it isn’t your business,” said Nora.
    Honor’s hand had gone up to the neck of her dress. There was no brooch there. She said nothing. Her hand dropped into her lap again. Carey laughed, partly because Honor gave her the creeps, and partly because she didn’t see why Dennis should have it all his own way. He shook his head at her reprovingly, his eyes bright and malicious.
    â€œTomorrow it will probably be diamonds which didn’t belong to your grandmother but were bought by Uncle James out of money made from armaments in the last war. And then perhaps it will be cheques—or the famous rubies.… Darling, don’t tell me you don’t know about the rubies! Too, too unnaturally innocent of you! They’re marvellous, and it’s been the tragedy of Aunt Honoria’s life that she’s never had the nerve to wear them. The hair, you know. She won’t leave them to Nora for the same reason, and I seem to remember her saying something rather biting to Honor about what she would look like in them. Do you remember what it was, my sweet?”
    Honor kept her eyes on her plate and did not speak.
    Nora said, “Come off it, Den!”
    He caught Carey’s frowning gaze and laughed.
    â€œI’ve had serious thoughts of swearing to marry a black-haired wench to see if that would bring down the scales on my side. What are your views