Death at the Wedding Feast Read Online Free PDF Page A

for Young Ladies situated in the country area of Kensington Gore. He had thought the air healthy and pure and had particularly liked the school’s teaching of the French language, Madame de Cygne being of that nationality and very keen on instilling the correct pronunciation into her pupils. As well as French, of course, the girls were to learn English, with correct orthography, together with geography, embroidery and needlework, dancing, music, deportment and carriage, and basic mathematics. In fact as full and interesting a syllabus as any parent could wish for. John realized that the teaching of herbs and their various properties would have to be left to him in the holiday times. But the school also taught religious instruction, a subject that John was glad he would not have to impart to his child as he had not fully made up his mind on the matter.
    They went into the library where a coal and wood fire had been lit against the chilly evening and Rose climbed on to his lap, putting her arms round his neck. But instead of snuggling into his shoulder she held him at arm’s length and stared into his eyes. They were very beautiful eyes, which seemed to reflect different shades of blue according to her mood. Tonight they were vivid, the deep, rich colour of a Mediterranean sky.
    â€˜Father, I think you might be in danger,’ she said directly.
    He stared at her, quite shocked despite his casual expression. ‘Why is that?’
    â€˜It’s hard to say, really. But I keep getting this impression of you being attacked. Do you have to go to Devon without me?’
    â€˜My darling, you may come if you wish. But I really think it is better if you do not. Mrs Elizabeth is about to give birth to a baby brother or sister for you and there won’t be a great deal of time to devote to you. Besides, I have a woman moving in in a few days’ time. She is to run my new business for me. I would be grateful if you could be here to look after her.’
    Rose was silent for a while and then she said, ‘All right, I’ll stay if it would please you. But Papa, be careful. In my head I see danger coming.’
    â€˜From whom?’
    â€˜A horrible old woman in a brown dress and bonnet. Oh, she’s such an evil old creature.’
    And quite unexpectedly the great eyes filled with tears and she turned her head into the Apothecary’s shoulder and wept bitterly.
    John cuddled her close to him, but his brain could not help but take in what Rose had just said. He knew the child was psychic, had known it ever since their eyes had first met and she had smiled at him. And now he took her warning seriously, thinking as he did so that an old woman in a brown ensemble with a bonnet to match was going to stick out like a mason’s maund to an apothecary. He muttered into her ear, ‘I swear I’ll look out for the old beast and give her a culp if I should see her.’
    Rose smiled through her tears. ‘Promise?’
    â€˜Yes, I promise.’
    â€˜And can I visit the new baby quickly please?’
    â€˜I will arrange for Sir Gabriel to bring you down as soon as possible.’
    She slid off his lap and looked at him, reminding him of a flower that had just been caught in a shower of rain.
    â€˜Come here,’ he said very gently. She did so and he wiped the tears from her face with his handkerchief. ‘Don’t worry,’ he whispered. ‘Papa is used to taking care of himself. I promise not to let that old woman hurt me.’
    Rose’s eyes became motionless and staring. ‘When you see her, lie flat,’ she said quietly.
    John could not help but grin at the thought of prostrating himself at the feet of every woman wearing brown that he was in future to meet.
    His daughter reacted in a totally childish manner. ‘You’re laughing at me. I shall never tell you anything that I see again.’ And with a loud stamp of her foot she ran from the room and pounded up