around waiting to meet a suitable young man, and hoping he will choose her above her fellows?' She took a deep breath. "Of course, she is very pretty, and that will help, but entirely dependent upon her brother-in-law to support her until then. And as I understand it, there is no dowry to mention. I shouldn't be too concerned, if I were you, Mr. Monk. I expect it was a cat in the bushes, or some such thing."
"I see," Monk said thoughtfully, not that his mind was on any kind of animal, or Marianne's possible imagination, but upon her financial dependence. "I daresay you are right," he added quickly. "Thank you, Mrs. Hylton. I think I shall take your advice and abandon the pursuit. I wish you good day, ma'am."
He had luncheon in a small, busy public house in the Euston Road, and then walked for some time in deep thought, hands in his pockets. The more he considered the evidence the more he disliked the conclusions it suggested. He had never thought it likely anyone came over the garden wall, now he considered it so improbable as to exclude it from his mind. Whoever had attacked Marianne had come through her own house, and therefore was known either to her or to her sister, almost certainly both.
Since they did not intend to prosecute, why had.they called Monk? Why had they mentioned the matter at all?
The answer to that was obvious. Julia did not know of it. Marianne had been forced to explain the bruises in some way, and her state of distress; probably her clothes were torn or stained with grass or even blood. And for her own reasons she had not been willing to tell Julia who it was. Perhaps she had encouraged him to begin with, and then become frightened, and since she was ashamed, had claimed it was a stranger, the only answer that would be morally acceptable. No one would believe she would yield to a complete stranger or give him the slightest encouragement.
It was after three when he returned to Hastings Street and again sought admittance. He found Julia in the withdrawing room with Marianne and Audley, who had apparently come home early yet again.
"Mr. Monk?" he said with quite open surprise. "I had not realized cousin Albert had spoken of us so exceedingly well!"
"Audley!" Julia rose to her feet, her cheeks hot pink. "Please come in, Mr. Monk. I am sure my husband did not mean to make you feel less than welcome." Her eyes searched Monk's face with an anxiety she could not conceal, but she studiously avoided looking at Marianne. "It is a little early for tea, but may we offer you some cold lemonade? It is really a very hot day.J›
"Thank you." Monk accepted both because he was thirsty and because he wished to observe them all a little more closely, especially the two women. How deep was the trust between them, and how much was Julia really misled? Did she suspect her sister of an unwise dalliance? Was it all perhaps to protect her from Audley's moral outrage if he thought she were less than a victim? "That is very kind of you," he added, sitting in the chair she indicated.
She rang the bell and dispatched the maid to fetch the refreshments.
Monk felt he owed Julia some explanation for Audley, and racked his brain to think of an acceptable lie. To say he had left something behind would be too transparent. Audley would be suspicious immediately, so would Monk in his place. Dare he suggest an errand? Would Julia be quick enough?
But she preempted him.
"I am afraid I have not got it ready yet," she said, swallowing hard.
"What ready?" Audley asked, frowning at her.
She turned to him with a guileless smile. "Mr. Monk said he would be kind enough to take a small parcel back to cousin Albert for me, but I have been remiss and it is not yet ready."
"What are you sending to Albert?" Audley demanded, frowning. "I didn't know you were so fond of him. You did not give me that impression."
"I suppose I am not, really." She was elaborately casual, but Monk saw that her hands were clenched tight. "It is a relationship I feel I should keep. After all, he is family." She forced a smile. "I thought a small gift would be a good beginning. Besides, he has several family records I should be most obliged to share."