over with. Now we shall have to go into court and conduct ourselves with all the dignity we can muster. I presume you will be testifying, since you were there at that wretched party?"
"Yes. I have no choice."
"For the prosecution?" she enquired.
"Yes."
"Well at least if you go, one imagines Damaris will be spared. That is something. I don't know what you can possibly tell them that will be of use." There was half a question in her voice, and Hester knew, watching her tense face and brilliant eyes, that she was both asking Peverell what he intended saying, and warning him of family loyalties, trusts, unspoken ties that were deeper than any single occasion could test or break.
"Neither do I, Mama-in-law," he agreed. "Presumably only my observations as to who was where at any particular time. And maybe the fact that Alex and Thaddeus did seem to be at odds with each other. And Louisa Furnival took Thaddeus upstairs alone, and Alex seemed extraordinarily upset about it."
"You'll tell them that?" Edith said, horrified.
"I shall have to, if they ask me," he said apologetically. "That is what I saw."
"ButPev - "
He leaned forward. "My dear, they already know it. Maxim and Louisa were there, and they will say that. And Fenton Pole, and Charles and Sarah Hargrave . . ."
Damaris was very pale. Edith buried her face in her hands.
"This is going to be awful."
"Of course it is going to be awful," Felicia said thickly. "That is the reason why we must think carefully what we are going to say beforehand, speak only the truth, say nothing malicious or undignified, whatever we may feel, answer only what we are asked, exactly and precisely, and at all times remember who we are!"
Damaris swallowed convulsively.
Cassian stared at her with huge eyes, his lips parted.
Randolph sat up a trifle straighter.
"Offer no opinions," Felicia continued. "Remember that the vulgar press will write down everything you say, and quite probably distort it. That you cannot help. But you can most certainly help your deportment, your diction, and the feet that you do not lie, prevaricate, giggle, faint, weep or otherwise disgrace yourself by being less than the ladies you are - or the gentlemen, as the case is. Alexandra is the one who is accused, but the whole family will be on trial."
"Thank you, my dear." Randolph looked at her with a mixture of obligation, gratitude and an awe which for one ridiculous moment Hester imagined was akin to fear. "As always you have done what is necessary."
Felicia said nothing. A flicker of pain passed across her rigid features, but it was gone again almost as soon as it was there. She did not indulge in such things; she could not afford to.
"Yes, Mama," Damaris said obediently. "We will all do our best to acquit ourselves with dignity and honesty."
"You will not be required," Felicia said, but there was a slight melting in her tone, and their eyes met for a moment. "But of course if you choose to attend, you will be noticed, and no doubt some busybody will recognize you as a Carlyon."
"Will I go, Grandmama?" Cassian asked, his face troubled.
"No, my dear, you will certainly not go. You will remain here with Miss Buchan."
"Won't Mama expect me to be there?"
"No, she will wish you to be here where you can be comfortable. You will be told all you need to know." She turned away from him to Peverell again and continued to discuss the general's last will and testament. It was a somewhat simple document that needed little explanation, but presumably she chose to argue it as a final closing of any other subject.
Everyone bent to continue with the meal, hitherto eaten entirely mechanically. Indeed Hester had no idea what any of the courses had been or even how many there were.
Now her mind turned to Damaris, and the intense, almost passionate emotion she had seen in her face, the swift play from sorrow to amazement to fear, and then the deep pain.
And according to Monk, several people had said she had behaved in a highly emotional manner on the evening of the general's death, bordering on the edge of hysteria, and been extremely offensive to Maxim Furnival.
Why? Peverell seemed to know nothing of its cause, nor had he been able to comfort her or offer any help at all.
Was it conceivable that she knew there was going to be violence, even murder? Or had she seen it? No - no one else