“Surely you’re not going to work on that now?” Her sister asked.
“Sewing relaxes me and Jeremy’s still coming, regardless of what has happened tonight. You’ll need this dress soon.”
May-Jewel shrugged and toyed with a spool of thread.
* * *
The constable still hadn’t arrived as the pinkish gray rays of dawn caped the horizon. The women refreshed themselves with what water was left in the pitcher from the day before and waited for Garth or David to come and tell them what was happening. The women hadn’t slept well, and both were severely tired. May-Jewel sat in a chair, her eyes open but not really concentrating on anything, as Katherine stood before the window. Below her she suddenly saw Alex and Garth walk out on the steps. Unable to make out what they were saying through the thick glass panes, she watched in horror as they suddenly grappled with one another. Garth broke from Alex’s grasp, struck him on the jaw, and headed for the stable. Alex collapsed on the steps. Almost immediately, David appeared and helped him to his feet. They both disappeared from her view as they re-entered the manor.
“Garth!” Katherine banged with urgency on the window to get his attention as he left the stable leading his horse. “Where’s he going?” She asked as she watched him mount.
May-Jewel joined her at the window. “What’s happening?”
“Don’t leave here!” Katherine cried to her sister as she charged from the room, down the stairs, and out of the manor.
“Garth!” She yelled again.
Hearing her, he brought his horse about. Katherine ran to him and took hold of the reins. “Why are you leaving? You’re not running away, are you?”
“Is that what you think? No, I’m not running away. I thought you, of all people, trusted me.”
“I do trust you! But when the constable comes, Alex might try to convince him that you had something to do with Charles’ death. You won’t be here to defend yourself, and they won’t listen to me!”
“Don’t you know that the constable isn’t coming? Brice never left to get him. I couldn’t understand what was taking the constable so long to get here, so I decided to summon him myself. When I got to the barn to saddle my horse, I found Brice there sodden from whiskey! That scoundrel wouldn’t mind seeing me hung for murder any more than Alex would. Don’t you understand that all of this is about the emeralds? Charles was the only one who knew where they were, and it’s conceivable that that’s why he was murdered because he wouldn’t tell. Maybe Brice had something to do with it, and that’s why he didn’t go for help.”
“But David said that he would send for the constable yesterday afternoon when I told him about Selina, and that was hours before we found Charles!”
Garth’s frown deepened. “Did the vicar tell you any time last night that he actually did send for the constable?”
The questioning look on Garth’s face gave Katherine reason to doubt. David said he was going to do it, although she wasn’t sure he had. But she answered, “Yes, he did.”
“Well, I don’t believe that he did. If he had, the constable would have been here by now.”
Katherine’s heart skipped a beat. Had she been misled yet again, this time by the vicar? It was all too new to her, this trusting of people, and she thought she could trust David. But Garth’s doubt was contagious. She had no time to think about it for Garth shook the reins from her hands.
“It’s only three miles to Carstairs. I’ll be there and back in an hour’s time. The Cook’s all right. She’s in her room where I told her to stay.” He looked up at the manor. “And if you still don’t feel safe here, go to the manse with your vicar.”
Garth kicked his horse into a canter and rode off. Too late did Katherine discern the choice and emphasis of his words ‘your vicar’, and she frowned, anger replacing any concern she may have had for him. Having no other recourse, she returned to the manor. As she approached the steps, Alex appeared, rubbing his jaw.
“Very touching scene,” he said snidely. “If he comes back, he’ll face the hangman’s noose. I’ll see to it myself.”
Katherine walked past him and said, “You had better watch out, Alex, that you don’t get caught in that noose yourself.” She entered the manor where she was greeted by Vicar Hawes.
“David,” she questioned, “you did send for the constable yesterday after I left the manse, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did.”
“Then why isn’t he here yet?”
David shrugged. “I can’t imagine what’s keeping him. Obviously something else came up after I spoke to him. But don’t worry, he’ll be here soon. Where’s Garth off to?”
“He says he’s getting the authorities. He told Brice to do so hours ago, but Brice didn’t. He’s drunk in the barn.”
Shaking his head, David asked, “Do you know why Alex attacked Garth?”
Katherine frowned. “I don’t know. Those two have been at each other since Garth arrived.”
“But why?”
“I don’t know that either. Jealousy?”
“Katherine,” he took her hand, “do you want me to stay longer? Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Oh, yes, could you please stay just a little while longer? Now I need to return to May-Jewel. Could you please keep an eye on Alex? I don’t trust him.”
“Of course I will. Can I have the cook bring you something?”
“Garth told Molly to stay in her room. I don’t think meals will be wanted but some tea would be nice.”
“You go up, and I’ll see to it.”
Giving
