Dead Man Riding (37 page)

Imogen and Alan married in his college chapel two weeks after their finals. By then he'd been persuaded to accept the Old Man's money so that they could set up their experimental school together. It went well. If you're interested in advanced theories of education, you'll have heard of it and probably read their book. But we lost touch, Imogen and I. Things were never the same between us again.

*   *   *

Midge and Nathan, on the other hand, are in touch all the time. I am honorary aunt to their children. So far the tally is three, plus two influential books on mathematics by Midge and a large number of beautiful and rather expensive pieces of furniture by Nathan.

*   *   *

After a while, when some of the rawness had worn off, I was curious enough to get news from Cumberland and found that Arthur Mawbray and Dulcie Berryman had got married and moved to Maryport with the baby. She was at least ten years older than he was and what with that and her reputation his father disowned him, but that didn't matter because he had what he wanted at last. They used the interest from the Old Man's money to buy Arthur his own fishing boat and named it
The Prodigal Son
. I'm sure the name's considered highly appropriate at the methodist chapel where, I'm told, Mr and Mrs Arthur Mawbray and their four children are now frequent attenders.

*   *   *

What the Old Man would have thought of that I can't imagine. But he should have been pleased by a generous act on the part of his great nephew. Alan went to the solicitor and had Sid, Bobbin, all the mares and the two Afghan hounds made over to Robin, properly done by a deed of gift with a red seal so that nobody could accuse the Gypsy boy of stealing them. Robin sold the mares – probably for a very good price – but kept Sid at stud. I'm told that in Cumberland they still speak of Sid's prowess as a stallion with great respect, and his progency are galloping over green fields, winning awards and carrying on the bloodline all over the north of England and across in Ireland as far down as County Cork. If he'd wanted a memorial, I'm sure that would have pleased the Old Man more than anything.

Also by Gillian Linscott

A HEALTHY BODY

MURDER MAKES TRACKS

KNIGHTFALL

A WHIFF OF SULPHUR

UNKNOWN HAND

MURDER, I PRESUME

 

And featuring Nell Bray

 

SISTER BENEATH THE SHEET

HANGING ON THE WIRE

STAGE FRIGHT

WIDOW'S PEAK

CROWN WITNESS

DEAD MAN'S MUSIC

DANCE ON BLOOD

ABSENT FRIENDS

THE PERFECT DAUGHTER

DEAD MAN RIDING
. Copyright © 2002 by Gillian Linscott. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.minotaurbooks.com

ISBN 0-312-30824-8

First published in Great Britain by Virago

An imprint of Time Warner Books UK

First St. Martin's Minotaur Edition: December 2002

eISBN 9781466826434

First eBook edition: August 2012