‘And what is your evidence for that position?’
‘The evidence of a dozen wretched marriages within my knowledge in which argument and disapproval has soured regard and destroyed all vestige of confidence.’
He shook his head. ‘No, I will not allow you to put forward other marriages as proof. They can reveal nothing to the purpose, for I believe that the present case is entirely different. In this particular instance the evidence is against you.’
‘Oh! Are we so very different from other men and women?’
‘Perhaps we are. Witness our recent dispute,’ he said, resting his chin on his fingers. ‘We certainly cannot agree upon what is just – and I think that we never will. The courses of action which we think proper differ widely.’
‘Exactly so!’
‘And you have been aware of this dissimilarity in outlook since our last interview in Bath, have you not?’
‘Yes.’
‘And yet, just now, when I asked you to share with me the story of last night’s discoveries, you did not hesitate – once I had assured you that I would endeavour not to express my anger.’
‘No, why should I hesitate?’
‘Why, because my contrary ideas of justice might have prompted me to approach the coroner myself with the information you gave me.’
‘But I knew you would not!’
‘How did you know?’ he said, studying her face very earnestly. ‘You did not condition for my silence before you began to speak.’
‘I did not need to,’ she cried. ‘I knew that you would never betray me, no matter what you thought.’
He smiled. She began to catch his meaning and quickly turned her face away.
‘And upon that confidence,’ he said quietly, ‘upon that trust, I rest my argument – and all my hopes of future happiness.’ He reached out and laid his hand over hers. ‘You see, Miss Kent, there is another force at work here besides our words. You and I know – we will always know – that we can trust one another implicitly; and I firmly believe that that trust
Dido kept her eyes fixed upon the great arch of the ruined window, and upon a black chattering flock of starlings as it was blown about the sky. She could not look at him, nor could she very readily find a reply among the crowding sensations which his words had produced. But very slowly she turned the hand which lay under his. And at last their hands rested palm to palm on the ivy-covered wall. Then, one by one, their fingers interlinked. Their grasp tightened, warm and steady in the icy wind.
About the Author
ANNA DEAN lives in the Lake District with a husband and a cat. She sometimes works as a Creative Writing tutor and as a guide showing visitors around William Wordsworth’s home, Dove Cottage. Her interests include walking, old houses, Jane Austen, cream teas,
THE DIDO KENT SERIES
A Moment of Silence
A Gentleman of Fortune
A Woman of Consequence
PREVIOUSLY IN THE DIDO KENT SERIES 
‘Beautifully written. Characters one cares about immediately and a mystery which becomes more urgent with every page’ Anne Perry, author of the Inspector Pitt novels
‘Delightful … fascinating … this is a beautifully written, skilfully crafted novel and a very enjoyable read’
‘It’s the world of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte … Charming, utterly charming, and totally good fun!’
To discover more great historical crime and to
place an order visit our website at
www.allisonandbusby.com
