Deadly Beloved Read Online Free PDF Page A

you must not catch a chill," said Mrs Kellar, stroking Vince's arm anxiously. "Do please accept Uncle Hedley's offer."
    "The exercise is good for us both, isn't it, lad?"
    "It is indeed. Doctor's orders, Stepfather," said Vince, with a look of gratitude. As they raised their hats to the departing carriages and set off down the drive, he said, "I hope you don't mind, truly, Stepfather."
    "Not in the least."
    "The idea of sharing a carriage with that dreadful old man gives me the shivers. I absolutely loathe him."
    "That's a bit strong, lad."
    "So was the smell of cats. Don't tell me you didn't notice. I thought I'd succeeded in putting him in his place, when he kept trying so rudely to corner me with his wretched conversation. I was appalled at having to sit beside him. But tell me, what did you think of Eveline Shaw? Isn't she a stunner?"
    Faro gave him a sharp look. Had he completely misread the signs? Was Vince about to confess devotion to the young widow?
    "She's certainly lovely and such a talented musician."
    "Absolutely first class. I wonder where she learned to play like that?"
    "How long has she been a widow?"
    "Less than a year."
    "I thought so. She seemed so sad and detached."
    "Until she began to play. Stepfather. Then she was transformed."
    "You thought so too. What happened to the husband? Had she been married long?"
    "Long enough to have a baby. There's a son and heir at least, a few months old, born after his soldier father was killed on the Indian frontier."
    Faro nodded sympathetically. "Tragic. At least he left her comfortably off if she can afford a house in Regent Crescent."
    "Indeed. He was a Captain, and I gather there are very good family connections in the Highlands."
    "I'm glad to know that she'll be well provided for," Faro hesitated and then added, "although I doubt she will be a widow long. A wealthy widow, young and pretty too, should experience no difficulty in finding another husband."
    "Not in the least, if she is seeking one. And that I seriously doubt at the moment." Vince laughed. "I know you are looking very arch, Stepfather. Bless me, you are almost as bad as Mabel and I can read exactly the way your minds drift. Anyway, there were no signals in my direction, I can assure you. Not that I wanted any," he added hastily. "I don't see myself as a widow's consolation and I'm much too vain to play second fiddle to the dear departed."
    They walked for a while in silence then Vince said, "There is something odd about her, didn't you think?"
    "Mrs Shaw? Just lost and bewildered, lad, that's all. Isn't quite up to taking on the social round again, poor lass. Not interested in anything yet outside her own grief."
    "How perceptive of you, Stepfather. I'm relieved to hear that was the reason. You know I got a distinct impression that she didn't take to me at all, or any of us — except you."
    "Only because I appreciated her playing."
    "Oh, you do underestimate yourself, Stepfather. I despair of you sometimes, really I do."
    "Was that the first time you'd met?" asked Faro with a brisk change of subject.
    "Yes. But I feel as if we're already well acquainted. Mabel talks constantly about her dear Eveline, calls her 'my sister of the spirit'. With no children of her own, she says the good Lord has compensated by giving her this one loving young friend."
    "Perhaps she should make it two now."
    "Two? How so?"
    Faro smiled. "Obviously Mrs Kellar regards you in the same fond light."
    "Dear Mabel. But everyone is important to her, servants, poor relatives. Fancy giving that dreadful mad old man house room. Fancy him actually being her uncle. Incredible."
    "Kellar has certainly kept very quiet about that particular skeleton in the family closet."
    "I don't suppose he's keen to have it made public, even if it is just a connection by marriage. However, it would have to come out some day. He was at great pains to tell everyone that Mabel is his heiress. There's no knowing what she'll inherit besides a multitude of