love with someone who is using her in this?" she asked, regarding Dagmar with intelligent interest.
Dagmar considered. "It is the sort of thing she would do," she agreed after a moment. "In fact, some mistaken love, or misplaced idealism, is about the only thing which makes any sense. Perhaps she trusts him to come forward with some fact which will rescue her at the last moment." Her eyes softened. "Poor Zorah. What if he doesn't? What if he is merely using her?"
"To what purpose? Perhaps we are beginning at the wrong end. We should be considering who would benefit from this trial. Who will?"
Dagmar was silent for so long Hester thought she might not have heard.
"Who will benefit politically?" Hester asked again.
"I don't see how anyone can," Dagmar answered thoughtfully. "I have racked my head, but the situation doesn't seem to affect anything that I can think of. I am afraid it is just a stupid mistake made by a woman who has allowed her imagination and her envy to overrule her sense, and it will destroy her. I am very sorry about it."
Bemd's opinion was quite different, when Hester managed to speak to him alone and introduce the subject, this time a trifle more skillfully. She had just returned from an errand in the rain and was brushing the water off her skirt where her cloak had not covered it when Bernd crossed the hall, a newspaper in his hand.
"Oh, good afternoon, Miss Latterly. I see you got wet. There is a good fire in the withdrawing room if you wish to warm yourself. I am sure Polly would bring you some tea, and perhaps crumpets if you wish."
"Thank you," she accepted eagerly. "Will I not disturb you?" She glanced at the newspaper.
"No, not at all." He shook it absently. "I've finished. Full of scandal and speculation, mostly."
"I am afraid now that the trial is nearing, people are beginning to wonder a great deal," she said quickly. "The story is romantic, and although the charge seems unfounded, one cannot help wondering what is the truth behind it."
"I should imagine revenge," he replied with a frown.
"But how can she be revenged when she will lose the case?" Hester argued. "Could it have to do with the Queen?"
"In what way?" He looked puzzled.
"Well, apparently the Queen strongly dislikes Gisela. Is Zorah a great friend of the Queen's?"
Bernd's face hardened. "Not that I am aware." He started towards the withdrawing room as though to end the conversation.
"You don't think the Queen's dislike could be behind this, do you?" Hester asked, hurrying after him. It was an idea which had a glimmer of sense. Ulrike had apparently never forgiven Gisela, and perhaps now she felt Gisela was somehow to blame for Friedrich's death - if not directly, then indirectly. "After all," she continued aloud as they went into the withdrawing room and Bernd pulled the bell rope, rather hard, "he might never have had the accident in the first place if he had not been in exile. And even if he had, he would have received different treatment had he been at home. Maybe, in her mind, she had convinced herself from one step to another, until now she really believes Gisela capable of murder. Maybe ..." She swung around in front of him as he sat down, her wet skirts cold against her legs. "She has probably not seen Gisela for twelve years. She knows only what other people have told her and what she imagines."
The maid answered the summons of the bell, and Bemd ordered afternoon tea for two and hot buttered crumpets.
"I think it unlikely," he said when the maid had gone and closed the door. "It is a very unpleasant affair, but not one in which I have any part. I would prefer to discuss your opinion of how we may best help my son. He does appear in these last few days to be better in spirits ... although I do not wish him to become too dependent on the young woman, Miss Stanhope. She is not strong enough to employ on any permanent basis, and also, I think, not suitable."
"Why did the Queen hate Gisela even before she married FriedrichT Hester said desperately.
His face froze. "I do not know, Miss Latterly, nor do I care. I have sufficient grief in my own family not to be concerned with the self-inflicted misfortune of others. I should appreciate your advice upon what sort of person to employ to be