place to discuss such a distressing matter.'
'I cannot think of a better time or place,' Joshua said, smiling at him. 'Do sit down again, Calvin. We are all family or potential family here.'
The marchioness was clutching her throat, her face suddenly gray. 'Joshua, my dear,' she said faintly. 'I never for a moment believed a word Mr. Garnett said. I do not know why he would say such things. But I did indeed feel the need to consult with someone wiser than I, a man, someone in the family. And Cousin Calvin is a clergyman.'
'I hope my unexpected arrival yesterday did not discompose you too severely, Calvin,' Joshua said. 'But I assure you that you are quite safe here with me. I was with Albert the night he drowned, but I did not kill him. When was I to be summoned home to defend myself against these charges, Aunt? Or did your letter to Lindsey Hall pass me while I was on my way here?'
'You must understand, Joshua,' she said, 'that I was dreadfully upset. I did not know what to do. I urged Cousin Calvin to come to advise me. I did not want to bring you here where you might be in danger.'
'That was remarkably thoughtful of you,' he said.
'Well.' She dabbed at her lips with her napkin. 'You are my nephew. You have always been like my son.'
'Constance,' he said, turning his eyes on her, 'do you believe that I might have murdered your brother?'
She raised her eyes to his. 'No,' she said. 'No, I do not, Joshua.'
'Chass?' He looked at the girl, who was still staring at him with wide eyes in a pale face. 'Do you believe it?'
She shook her head slowly. 'No,' she whispered.
'Calvin?' he asked his cousin, who had just resumed his seat.
Calvin cleared his throat-a habit with him, it seemed. 'You were ever a mischievous boy, Hallmere,' he said. 'But you were never vicious, as far as I recall. I would believe this of you only if the evidence were to prove your guilt beyond any reasonable doubt.'
'Fair enough,' Joshua said. 'Freyja?'
'The morning is slipping by while we talk such nonsense,' she said, her nose in the air, her tone haughty. 'I am eager for the ride into the village you have promised us.'
'Oh, so am I, Joshua,' Morgan said.
'And I daresay the children are champing at the bit in their eagerness to be taken outside,' Aidan added. 'I would be pleased to accompany you on a visit to Mr. Garnett later today, though, Joshua. I suppose you do intend to call on him?'
'Indeed,' Joshua said. 'Calvin, you had better come along too.'
His aunt dabbed at her lips again. 'Mr. Garnett is from home,' she said.
'Indeed, ma'am?' Aidan said.
'I would have invited him here to speak with Cousin Calvin if he had not been,' she said. 'I am as eager as anyone to hear him admit that he was mistaken. But he has gone away for a few days.'
'Indeed.' Joshua regarded her with some amusement.
'At such a time?' Alleyne was all amazement. 'When he should be going to a magistrate with his evidence? But what I cannot understand, I must confess, Joshua, is why he has waited for five years and why he has decided to come forward now.'
'Garnett is from home, I daresay,' Joshua said, 'in order to think through his evidence with more care. He would be foolish to proceed too hastily, would he not, especially after waiting so long. Any trial would pit his word against mine, and I am, after all, the Marquess of Hallmere. It is to be hoped that he does not prove overzealous, though. He needs to remember that a fishing boat-I assume it was a fishing boat from which he witnessed this dastardly crime-would have been perfectly visible to me and, more to the point, to Albert. Why did he row away and offer no assistance? Was he afraid that I would murder him too?'
'You make light of the matter, Joshua,' his aunt said in her plaintive whine. 'But it may prove serious indeed. I could not bear to lose another son or a nephew who has always been as dear as a son to me. I might almost suggest that you leave now while you may, and disappear. At least you would be safe then.'
'Ah, but I would hate myself if I were to take the coward's way out,' Joshua said, grinning.
'And I would hate not to be mistress of Penhallow,' Freyja said disdainfully as she got to her feet. 'But this conversation grows more and more tedious. I am going riding, even if I must do so alone.'
The Bedwyns all got to their feet too, and the others followed suit, except for the marchioness, who looked too ill and frail to move.
'Since Garnett is not to be confronted today, then,' Joshua said, 'we might as well enjoy the good weather. Shall we meet in the hall half an hour from now? The children and Prue too? Come, Aunt, you must not upset yourself further. I shall have a few harsh words for Garnett when I do see him for having so preyed upon your delicate sensibilities. Allow me to help you to your room.' He offered her his arm and she had little choice but to take it.
'I hope you will talk to him, Joshua,' she said, leaning heavily upon him. 'I really cannot bear all this.'
It was quickly apparent to Freyja that Joshua was very well liked both at Penhallow and in the village of Lydmere. The servants, she noticed at the house, had a habit of smiling brightly at him even whenever they served him or were in his line of vision. She could not help but make the comparison between them and the servants at Lindsey Hall, who would no more have dreamed of smiling at Wulfric than they would of breaking into song and dance in his presence.
In Lydmere the reaction was even more marked. He was recognized instantly as he rode along beside Freyja at the head of their party. Everywhere people were curtsying or bowing or tugging at their forelocks. That was not so remarkable in itself since he was the Marquess of Hallmere, but, in addition, every face was wreathed in smiles, and
