''Yes, Leatham. She said you were her sister's best friend. She was called Pimms. Is it any relation?''
''His wife,'' Adele sat down.
''You look terrible. Did you know him?''
''Of course, I knew him very well.''
Nicholas sat down next to her. His father left the room, shaking his head. ''Can I get you something?'' he asked.
''Perhaps a little brandy,'' she said. ''A terrible shock indeed,'' she added.
As the weeks went by, their agreement held wonderfully. Adele had thought it would be tedious to have to pretend to be his fiancee, and, even more, tedious to have to spend so much time in his company. But she began to look forward to her visits to his house.
When Nicholas made love to a woman, he was finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate. All too often his thoughts would drift to Adele. It was her moving under him, her kissing him and her legs wrapping themselves around his back.
Adele spent most of her free time comforting Eleanor. Eleanor had always complained about Bartholomew, but now he was gone, she could talk of nothing else but her beloved husband. Inside, Adele was riddled with guilt. She tried to dismiss any thought that it was her money that had financed Bartholomew's death. No, Peter would never have wanted to have him killed. It was all a cruel coincidence.
One day, however, her illusions were shattered. She woke at seven in the morning to hammering on the door. When the butler opened, two policemen pushed him aside and stepped into her house. ''Where's Lady Vaughan,'' the larger of the two asked.
''In bed.''
''Then wake her and ask her to come downstairs, we want to talk to her.''
When Adele saw her visitors, she felt faint. Two men dressed in blue uniforms with numbers on their shoulders and truncheons hanging from their belts.
''Lady Vaughan,'' the more senior of them began. ''We understand you knew Mr. Bartholomew Pimms.''
Adele sat down, her ghostly complexion already answering his question. ''Yes.''
''We believe you had something to do with his murder.''
That was it. She would rot in a damp prison cell, surrounded by women as evil as her. ''What makes you think that?''
''We have arrested a man called Wright, a grave digger.''
Adele didn't know a gravedigger called Wright. ''I have no idea who he is,'' she said honestly.
''He has confessed to the murder of Mr. Pimms and has told us that he carried out the killing on your behalf.
Adele knew Kellet, but not Cyril Wright. Keep denying it, she told herself. You really don't know this man. ''But I don't know him, really, I have no idea who he is.''
''Adele Vaughan, I am arresting you in connection with the murder of Mr. Bartholomew Pimms.'' He finished the usual speech about staying silent and took her by the arm. As they escorted her from the house, she was all too aware of her servants, as they watched in disbelief.
*****
When Adele didn't come to see him, as arranged, Nicholas became agitated. He'd begun to look forward to her visits, and her sudden absence made him aware how much. He took his horse and rode to Newdene Hall. When he knocked on the front door, Arthur answered.
''The police have taken her away,'' he said, white as a sheet.
At the police station, he was greeted by Sergeant Musgrave. “Where is she and why are your holding her?'' Nicholas demanded to know.
The sergeant looked at Nicholas as if he was insane. ''Who are you talking about?''
''Lady Adele Vaughan, who else?''
''She's helping us with our inquiries,'' he said, pushing Nicholas away from him.
''Into what? She's a lady, not a common criminal.''
''It's none of your business. Who are you?'' the sergeant was thinking of arresting him for impertinence.
''I'm her fiancee.'' He was surprised how proud he was calling himself that.
''Then you should know she's being held on suspicion of murdering Bartholomew Pimms.'' He folded his arms and looked please with himself.
''Are you out of your mind?'' Nicholas said. ''What on earth makes you think that?''
''We've got a witness.''
''This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. How do you think a delicate female could possibly murder a man in that way?'' Nicholas had read that Pimms had been stabbed to death.
''I'm not saying she did it herself, but she organized it.''
''You haven't heard the last of this. By the time I'm finished with you, those stripes on your arm will be a distant memory as you walk down the street behind a broom.'' Nicholas was incensed.
*****
Lord Fletcher of Banbury was at home, luckily. The last time Nicholas had spoken to him, it was to apologize for taking his daughter to bed. He'd done what his father had requested, and begged for forgiveness, really begged for the first time in his life. He hoped he wouldn't bump into Georgina, that would be too embarrassing.