A Death in the Loch Read Online Free PDF Page B

parties can discuss certain matters and where we can ensure that these matters are not reported in the press or picked up by the local people.’
    ‘What matters would those be?’ asked Rory, his Scotch accent more in evidence than usual.
    Fitzroy straightened one of his cufflinks. ‘I am afraid I am not at liberty to say.’
    ‘And yet you want us to report on how matters progress?’ continued Rory.
    Fitzroy waved a dismissive hand. ‘I need only to know how the various parties relate to each other. That will tell me all.’ He looked at us all quickly in turn. ‘Need I say I do trust you all implicitly.’
    ‘But nae implicitly enough to tell us what is going on,’ said Rory, becoming even more Scotch in his speech.
    ‘Do we have a choice?’ asked Bertram. He sounded resigned.
    ‘Of course,’ said Fitzroy, ‘you are private citizens. If you choose to turn your back on your King and country when they need you then that is matter entirely between you and your conscience.’
    ‘So no,’ said Bertram.
    ‘I will ensure that travel arrangements are made for you. Expect to be collected on January 4th. There will be no need to arrange supplies I will sort all that. When you arrive at the lodge you, Bertram, will find a letter introducing you to your guests, who will arrive on the 6th.’
    ‘How am I to explain this to Richenda?’ I asked. ‘You surely don’t expect her to attend?’
    ‘Matters will be arranged,’ said Fitzroy. ‘Now I must leave you. Happy New Year.’ And with that he exited.
    ‘Good Gad,’ said Bertram, ‘if I didn’t know he was an employee of the King I’d think he was a – a –’ He looked at me and hastily shut his mouth.
    ‘Reckon he is that,’ said Rory. ‘If you will excuse me, sir and miss, I have the New Year breakfast to attend to. It will be served at 4 a.m. in the ballroom just prior to carriages arriving.’
    ‘I need a drink,’ said Bertram.
    I said nothing, but made my way quietly to my bedroom. As I undressed for bed my head was awhirl with thoughts. I could hear the music and laughing as the ball spun on into the night, but even the possibility of an early breakfast could not tempt me to further wakefulness. I was to be sequestered with both Rory and Bertram in the heart of the lonely Highlands at a place where … it was too much to recall at this time of night. I tumbled into bed and pulled the covers over my head, but whether I was attempting to shut out the noises of the ball or the coming of the morrow I could not have said.

Chapter Six:
    A nasty surprise from a man with a dubioussense of humour
    New Year’s Day itself saw the groaning, moaning house guests exit in a variety of states. Of the host himself there was no sign. Gilbert along with Rory saw people off the premises. Mrs Lewis did not step above stairs until the last party-goer had left. Richenda declared herself ‘dying’ and called on Merry to tend to her last breath. I learned about this from Merry herself when she unceremoniously dumped a breakfast tray in my room. ‘Mrs Lewis said how you hadn’t stayed up all night, unlike some of us, and I was to bring your breakfast.’
    ‘That was very kind of her.’
    ‘And bleeding Richenda has me dancing attendance on her because she’s got the hangover from hell. I’ve been up all bleeding night and I’m ready to drop.’
    ‘Do we have any sleeping powders in the house?’
    ‘Probably. Why?’
    ‘Bring me one and I will give it to Richenda. Then you can catch up on some sleep while you watch her.’
    ‘Blimey, you’ve changed haven’t you? You’re happy to drug your employer?’
    ‘The best thing when someone has taken too much quantity of drink is for them to sleep,’ I said pointedly. ‘I thought I was doing you both a favour.’
    ‘Yeah, well, I suppose,’ said Merry. She sniffed. ‘It’s not like I’m not grateful. It’s just going to be a bit odd. That’s all.’
    ‘What is?’
    ‘Apparently I’m being sent up into