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

about rubies?”
    â€œI haven’t got any.”
    â€œJust as well, because the original Latin proverb about woman being variable was composed with a prophetic eye upon Aunt Honoria. Diamonds today, rubies tomorrow, and nothing the next day. She’ll probably leave the whole caboodle to Robert just because he’s got plenty without.”
    It would have given Carey the greatest pleasure to throw something at him—the salt cellar, a full glass of water—but she restrained herself. She looked past Honor, who was eating fish a crumb at a time after the manner of Amina in the Arabian Nights , and said scornfully,
    â€œI can’t think why you bother about it. You’d all be much more comfortable if you didn’t.”

CHAPTER EIGHT
    Jeff Stewart was out of town for the next few days. As a result Carey was a good deal thrown with Dennis. Quite frankly, she enjoyed this very much. He was a charming companion. His eyes said flattering things, but his tongue only amusing ones. She could relax and be entertained without having to worry about his taking several ells where she wasn’t prepared to part with more than half an inch. It was nice to be admired without being, so to speak, under any obligation. Jeff had to be staved off all the time and kept in his place, with a constant back and forth struggle going on as to just what that place should be. It was very exhausting, and what made it worse was that deep down underneath she didn’t really know how serious he was. He had that lazy way of saying things which made them sound as if he was amused, and that lazy way of looking which might be waiting to catch you out. Sometimes she wanted to get behind what he sounded and looked like, and sometimes she didn’t. Because there might be just a teasing cousinly fondness, or.… She never pursued the alternative very far, but there had been times when a picture came up in her mind of a lion she had seen as a child—a big drowsy beast blinking lazily, a placid handsome creature half asleep. And then the rattle of a stick in the hand of an adventurous boy—jab, rattle, jab—and before the keeper could interfere, an enormous weight and energy of rage hurled with a deafening roar against the bars.
    Dennis would certainly never hurl of roar. It was Very reposeful to be sure of that. He liked her, he thought her easy to look at, and he flirted with reassuring dexterity. No one who hadn’t had plenty of practice could possibly do it so well. And it was being awfully good for him.
    On the third day Honoria Maquisten Sent for her solicitor and was closeted with him for a long time.
    The audience terminated, tea was taken in, and in its wake the family assembled by command—Robert Maquisten father chafed and on his dignity, Nora mutinous, Honor more like a white mouse than ever, Carey and Dennis to bring up the rear.
    As they neared the threshold, he whispered,
    â€œGrand disinheriting scene—I don’t mind betting you that’s what we’re in for. Robes of state, and all the diamonds. She always lumps them on when she’s going to cut anyone out of her will.”
    Nora looked back over her shoulder to make a face and say,
    â€œThat brocade she’s wearing was eight pounds a yard—she told me so herself. I’d be a dream in it.”
    Dennis said, “You’d better keep awake, darling, and well on the toes in case this is going to be one of those ‘Fly, all is discovered’ events.”
    She whisked round too quickly to betray a change of expression and tugged at Robert’s arm.
    â€œHi, Bob—what’s your fancy? Have you got a crime up your sleeve? It would be rather funny if we all had, and gave ourselves away.”
    He sent her a repressive look which she seemed to find exhilarating.
    From behind her Dennis said softly,
    â€œThink up a good one, Honor darling.”
    And then they were all trooping up and saying how do you