moral proof of his guilt, not physical. Then we can have him committed to an asylum, where he can hurt no one and be cared for in privacy and decency. His family will not suffer, and Corde can continue with his no doubt promising career in the church unlimited by any implication of scandal. What happens to Mallory is not our concern. He has chosen the Church of Rome.”
Cornwallis was revolted. He could not keep it from his face.
“I am a policeman, not a physician to the insane,” he said icily. “I have no idea whether a man is mad or not. All I can deal in is whether he is proven to have committed a given act. And I do not know whether Ramsay Parmenter pushed Unity Bellwood to her death or whether it was someone else. Until I do, I am not prepared to make any statement on the subject. That will have to be acceptable to you, because there is no alternative.” He laid down his knife and fork as if he would eat no more.
The bishop stared at him. “I am sure,” he said slowly, “that when you have had time to consider the matter more fully, and the implications of what your attitude will do to a church towards which I believe you have some loyalty, then you will reconsider your situation.” He gestured to the footman waiting near the door. “Peters, will you remove the plates and bring in the meat.”
Isadora closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. Her hands were shaking. She set down her glass before she spilled it.
For her sake only, Cornwallis stayed for the remainder of the meal.
8
AN HOUR OR SO after breakfast on Monday, Dominic was walking up the stairs feeling annoyed because he could not find his penknife. He kept putting things down and forgetting where. It must be part of the strain they were all feeling. He was halfway up when he heard raised voices coming from Ramsay’s study. He could not distinguish the words, but it was clearly Ramsay himself and Mallory, and the discussion was acrimonious in the extreme. There seemed to be accusations and denial on both parts. Before he reached the top, the study door flew open and Mallory stormed out, slamming the door behind him. His face was flushed and his lips tight in a thin, furious line.
Dominic made as if to walk past him, but Mallory obviously wanted to continue a battle, and Dominic was an excellent target.
“Shouldn’t you be out with parishioners or something?” he demanded. “That would be more use than waiting around here trying to comfort Mother. There’s nothing you can say or do that will make any difference.” His eyebrows rose high. “Unless, of course, you can confess to having killed Unity? That would be really useful.”
“Only temporarily,” Dominic replied tartly. There were times when Mallory annoyed him intensely, and this was one of them. Mallory was very superior about belonging to the “one true faith,” and yet he allowed himself to be extraordinarily petty-minded and motivated by malice. “Because the police will almost certainly find out the truth in a while. Pitt is very good indeed.” He said it spitefully, and was rewarded with seeing the color ebb from Mallory’s face. He had intended to frighten him. At least half his mind believed Mallory was guilty of Unity’s death … more than he believed it could be Ramsay.
“Oh, yes,” Mallory said with as much sarcasm as he could muster and control. “I forgot you were related to the police. Your late wife, wasn’t it? What an odd family for you to marry into. Not a very good move for your career. I am surprised at you, seeing how ambitious you are, and keen to curry favor.”
They were standing at the stairhead. A maid passed below them across the hall carrying a mop and bucket of water. Dominic could just see the lace cap on her head. He turned back to Mallory.
“I married Sarah for love,” he said levelly. “It was several years before her sister married a policeman. And yes, it was an odd thing for her to do. But then Charlotte never did things to advance her social position. I don’t expect you to understand that.”
“A family of that sort, it would have to be love,” Mallory observed. “You would still be better employed now in going out and being some use in the parish. There is nothing here that I couldn’t do better.”