The Mystery Of An Old Murder (13 page)

He would not begin at once to talk of what was filling both their hearts. He talked of Mr. Bulteel and the bank, described to her the wonderful effect the sight of the gold had had on the waiting crowd; and then, when her tears were dried and he had made her smile at him, he spoke of Baroni's confession. She would not let him go on.

"Cousin Robert, it was not for me he did it. It was only because—because I reminded him of Aunt Nell. He told me that. She was the only person in the world who had ever made him wish to be a good man, he said. And it was for her sake he told the truth before he died."

Her mention of her aunt moved him deeply. Something in Marjorie's tone made him feel sure that she realized what it must be to him to hear Nell's name, and he understood Marjorie too well already to believe that she would have spoken thus unless she knew that Nell loved him still. He had told himself that he need not fear, that their love for each other had not been the love "which alters when it alteration finds". But not till now had he been quite sure. It was as if Nell herself had spoken to him, bidding him put all fear away.

He stood for a moment looking at the dark line of firs on the distant hillside, which showed where the downs ended and the Manor woods began. Then he came back to Marjorie, who was sitting at the table wondering if it could be only two nights ago she and Kitty had sat there, looking over the portfolio of prints! And was it really only this morning that Mrs. Fortescue had asked her to pick some primroses for that little blue Nanking bowl! How all the world had changed since then!

Robert spoke abruptly. "Marjorie, I shall send Richards to Saltleigh with letters this afternoon. Should you like to go with him?"

Marjorie started up. It was what her whole soul had been longing for, but she had not dared to think possible.

"Oh, cousin Robert!" was all she could say.

He smiled at her. "We must find out what Mrs. Bulteel thinks about it. But you would be home before seven o'clock. And I should like you to tell them." He paused a moment, and then added impulsively, "Marjorie, shall you hate me very much if I try to take your Aunt Nell away from you?"

And if Marjorie found it difficult to speak, her look was answer enough.

THE END             

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Brett was born and raised on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. With an American dad, winters were spent in uptown New York, while the British ancestry of her mother secured wonderful summers in the English countryside.

Educated at Oxford and Stanford Universities, Laura spent most of her adult life travelling the world as a personal assistant to a well-known actor. During the long waits on film-sets Laura started writing short stories and poems, some of which were published to high acclaim. After writing several full-length novels Laura was confident enough to share one with the world. The Mystery Of An Old Murder is her first published novel.