Anne Perry s Christmas Mysteries Page 0,83

his father's name to have killed to keep it safe?

What if Sybil's daughter were known to him? She was illegitimate and had no possible claim in law, even if her heritage could be proved-which it probably could not. But in a small community like Cottisham, proof was irrelevant; reputation was all.

The weather had deteriorated. The wind was rising. Clouds piled high in the west, darkening the sky and promising heavy falls of snow that night.

He was welcomed at the hall, as always, and in the huge withdrawing room the usual log fire was blazing. The afternoon was dark and the candelabra were lit, making the room almost festively bright.

He accepted the offer of tea, longing to thaw his hands on the warm cup as much as he looked forward to the drink. They addressed the business of the village. Help must be given with discretion; even the most needy did not like to feel they are objects of charity. Many would rather freeze or go hungry than accept pity. Food could be given to all, so none felt their poverty revealed. They arranged for the blacksmith to go after dark and add a few dozen logs to certain people's woodpiles.

The butler came with tea and hot toasted tea cakes thick with currants and covered with melted butter. The two men left not a crumb.

Finally Dominic had to approach the subject of Sybil Towers. He had thought about it, considered all possibilities, and found no answer that pleased him fully, but he could not break Sybil's confidence.

"I have to ask you a very troubling question," he began. He was awkward. He knew it, and could think of no way to help himself. "I have gained certain knowledge, not because I sought it, and I cannot reveal any more to you than that, so please do not ask me."

Peter frowned. "You may trust my discretion. What is it that is wrong?"

Dominic had already concocted the lie carefully, but it still troubled him. "Many years ago a young woman in the village had a love affair with a man it was impossible for her to marry. There was a child. I believe the father never knew." He was watching Peter's face but saw in it only sympathy and a certain resignation. No doubt he had heard similar stories many times before.

"I'm sorry," Peter said quietly. "If it happened long ago, why do you raise it now?"

"Because the Reverend Wynter may have known of it," Dominic said frankly, still watching Peter's face. "And he was murdered..."

"Did you say murdered?" Peter demanded, his voice hoarse. "That is very far from what Fitzpatrick told me!"

"I know. Dr. Fitzpatrick does not want to face the unpleasantness of such a thing. But I believe the Reverend Wynter was a fine man, and his death should not be treated with less than honesty, just for our convenience. He deserved better than that."

"What makes you think it was murder, Corde?" Peter reached for the poker, readjusted his grasp on it, and drove the end into the burning embers. The log shifted weight and settled lower, sending up a shower of sparks. He replaced the poker in its stand and added another log.

Dominic found himself shivering despite the heat. "He fell at the bottom of the cellar stairs," he replied. "There were marks of being dragged, and he was found in the second cellar, with injuries both to his face and the back of his head. The cellar door was closed behind him, and he had no lantern."

There was silence in the room. Beyond the thick curtains and the glass, even the sound of the wind was muffled.

"I see," Peter said at last, his face somber in the firelight. "I have to agree with you. As an accident, that does not make sense. How tragic. He was a good man: wise, brave, and honest. What is it you think this unfortunate woman has to do with it? Surely you are not suggesting the Reverend Wynter was the father of this child? That I do not believe. If he had done such a thing-which of course is possible; we are all capable of love and hate-then he would have admitted it. He would not have lied or disclaimed his responsibility."

"No," Dominic agreed. "But I think he may have known something of the truth, and someone could not bear the thought that he would reveal it. Perhaps the vicar even wished the father to honor his responsibility in some way he was not