Food For The Gallows (The Underwood Mysteries Book 2) (28 page)

“I knew, of course, that Miss Collinson and Mrs. Gedney have become unlikely allies and have told Gratten everything they know. Gedney is as guilty as sin, his wife an accessory, but likely to be dealt with leniently for turning King’s evidence.”

“Dunstable has now been released, not a stain on his character.”

“I wouldn’t say that exactly,” murmured Underwood wryly.

“Quite,” grinned the Major, “However, he and his new wife have offered to give a home to young Melissa.”

“Thank God. I must admit to several sleepless nights on her account. She may have had appalling parents, but at least she had someone. My actions will probably leave her an orphan.”

“Well,” continued Thornycroft, “Adeline and I were not so sure Dunstable and Frederica were quite capable of raising a child with her problems. Those two can barely control themselves, let alone a difficult child. It also occurred to us that she stands to inherit a fair amount when Josie’s will is finally executed. Dunstable may not have murdered Josie for her money, but he did marry her for it.”

“Very true, but what alternative is there? We don’t want the child ending up in a sanatorium or some such place.”

“Adeline and I are going to have her.”

“Good Lord!”

Thornycroft laughed, “Thank you so much for that vote of confidence.”

“I’m sorry, my friend, but as you so succinctly say, she is a difficult child. Are you sure you will be any more use to her than Dunstable?”

“Not at all, but at least she will have guardians who understand her pain and frustration. When she throws one of her temper tantrums, I shall probably join her on the floor.”

This presented a mental image which Underwood found vastly amusing, and it was with his broad, boyish grin on his face that he lifted his head and glanced towards the doors, where newcomers were entering amidst a buzz of excitement.

The smile swiftly slid away as he recognized his wife, and apparently he was not the only person to do so. There fell a profound silence and all eyes were upon them as Verity made her way slowly across the room, a passage forming for her as those in her path fell back.

Gossip had been busy and now almost the entire population of Hanbury knew that Verity had committed the unforgivable act of leaving her husband – very possibly for another man. The whole room was agog to know what Underwood intended to do about this tardy – and judging from the stubborn expression on Verity’s face – unrepentant return.

Underwood met her eyes though there was still some distance between them, and she stopped, stock still, no clue in her demeanour to tell him how she wanted him to behave.

He knew their future together depended upon his handling of this moment correctly. Without more ado, he thrust his mother’s cup into Thornycroft’s hands, not caring that the overfilled vessel spurted water all over the proud red tunic, and he began to walk swiftly towards his wife.

He said not a word, but swept her up into his arms and kissed her passionately. There were several shocked gasps from some of the elderly spinsters, but most of their acquaintance were smiling fondly, a blend of relief and amusement adorning their features.

This display was so very unlike Underwood, and so unexpected in the face of

tales of desertion and divorce, adultery and elopement, that a loud and spontaneous burst of applause greeted the moment that their lips parted. Verity blushed delicately and hid her pink cheeks against his shoulder. With a triumphant, and wholly ungentlemanly grin, Underwood carried his wife out of the Pump-rooms and bore her away.

Mrs. Fancourt rapped her son over the knuckles with her folded fan, “If you had done that to Meg Rowbottham forty years ago, you wouldn’t be sitting here with me now!” she exclaimed loudly.

“Oh, hush, mother!” was the vastly irritated reply.

“Eh?”

“HUSH!”

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Copyright 2014.

Food For The Gallows by Suzanne Downes.