Defend and Betray Page 0,133

minds were crowded with all manner of questions, sharper and more serious for being unspoken. She had the first intimation of Lovat-Smith's skill.

"Of course," Lovat-Smith said at last. "Fearful indeed. And I expect you were deeply distressed on her behalf." He turned and looked up at Maxim suddenly. "Tell me, Mr. Furnival, did you at any time suspect that your wife was having an affair with General Carlyon?"

Maxim's face was pale, and he stiffened as if the question were distasteful, but not unexpected.

"No, I did not. If I said I trusted my wife, you would no doubt find that of no value, but I had known General Carlyon for many years, and I knew that he was not a man to enter into such a relationship. He had been a friend to both of us for some fifteen years. Had I at any time suspected there to be anything improper I should not have allowed it to continue. That surely you can believe?"

"Of course, Mr. Furnival. Would it be true then to say that you would find Mrs. Carlyon's jealousy in that area to be unfounded, not an understandable passion rooted in a cause that anyone might sympathize with?"

Maxim looked unhappy, his eyes downcast, avoiding Lovat-Smith.

"I find it hard to believe she truly thought there was an affair," he said very quietly. "I cannot explain it."

"Your wife is a very beautiful woman, sir; jealousy is not always a rational emotion. Unreasonable suspicion can - "

Rathbone was on his feet.

"My lord, my honorable friend's speculations on the nature of jealousy are irrelevant to this case, and may prejudice the jury's opinions, since they are being presented as belonging to Mrs. Carlyon in this instance."

"Your objection is sustained," the judge said without hesitation, then turned to Lovat-Smith. "Mr. Lovat-Smith, you know better than that. Prove your point, do not philosophize."

"I apologize, my lord. Thank you, Mr. Furnival, that is all."

"Mr. Rathbone?" the judge invited.

Rathbone rose to his feet and faced the witness box.

"Mr. Furnival, may I take you back to earlier in the evening; to be precise, when Mrs. Erskine went upstairs to see your son. Do you recall that?"

"Yes." Maxim looked puzzled.

"Did she tell you, either then or later, what transpired when she was upstairs?"

Maxim frowned. "No."

"Did anyone else - for example, your son, Valentine?"

"No."

"Both you and Mrs. Furnival have testified that when Mrs. Erskine came down again she was extremely distressed, so much so that she was unable to behave normally for the rest of the evening. Is that correct?"

"Yes." Maxim looked embarrassed. Hester guessed not for himself but for Damaris. It was indelicate to refer to someone's emotional behavior in public, particularly a woman, and a friend. Gentlemen did not speak of such things.

Rathbone flashed him a brief smile.

"Thank you. Now back to the vexing question of whether Mrs. Furnival and General Carlyon were having any nature of relationship which was improper. You have sworn that at no time during the fifteen years or so of their friendship did you have any cause to believe it was not perfectly open and seemly, and all that either you as Mrs. Furnival's husband, or the accused as the general's wife, would have agreed to - as indeed you did agree. Do I understand you correctly, sir?"

Several of the jurors were looking sideways up at Alexandra, their faces curious.

"Yes, you do. At no time did I have any cause whatsoever to believe it was anything but a perfectly proper friendship," Maxim said stiffly, his eyes on Rathbone, his brows drawn down in concentration.

Hester glanced at the jury and saw one or two of them nodding. They believed him; his honesty was transparent, as was his discomfort.

"Did you suppose Mrs. Carlyon to feel the same?"

"Yes! Yes I did!" Maxim's face became animated for the first time since the subject had been raised. "I - I still find it hard - "

"Indeed," Rathbone cut him off. "Did she ever say anything in your hearing, or do anything at all, to indicate that she thought otherwise? Please - please be quite specific. I do not wish for speculation or interpretation in the light of later events. Did she ever express anger or jealousy of Mrs. Furnival with regard to her husband and their relationship?"

"No - never," Maxim said without hesitation. "Nothing at all." He had avoided looking across at Alexandra, as if afraid the jury might misinterpret his motives or doubt his honesty, but now he could not stop his eyes from flickering for

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