Murder on the Marmora Read Online Free PDF Page B

did something that you felt was unforgivable and so you broke off your engagement to him. Isn’t that what happened?”
    “Yes, George.”
    “Then he was at fault. You’ve no reason to have a conscience about it.”
    “Yet I still do,” she confessed. “I suppose it was because I
wanted
the engagement to come to an end. When he provided me with an excuse, I jumped at it.”
    “You have no regrets about that, surely?”
    “None at all. I liked Nigel a lot at first. There was even a pointwhen I believed that I actually loved him. But I was far too dazzled by his social position to look at him objectively. When his father dies, he inherits the title and becomes Lord Wilmshurst. The notion of being a ‘Lady’ is very tempting to someone who comes from my background.”
    “You
are
a lady, Genevieve,” he told her. “In every way.”
    “A title means so much in English society.”
    “Is that why you were rattled? Because you were reminded of what you missed?”
    “No, George,” she returned. “It’s a source of relief to me now. I’d never have fitted into that world. I can look the part but that’s all that I could have done. Besides, I’m much happier doing what I’m doing now.”
    “Watching out for pickpockets on a P and O ship?”
    “Working alongside someone I can respect.”
    “Thank you.” He rose to his feet. “So what do you think is going to happen?”
    “Sooner or later, I’ll have an embarrassing meeting with Nigel.”
    “Embarrassing for you or for him?”
    “Oh, only for me,” she said. “He’ll probably think it’s hilarious. Nigel has never been embarrassed in his life. You’ll see. He’s a law unto himself.”
    “I’m only concerned about his effect on you, Genevieve. It may hamper your work, and that’s worrying. Let’s face it, there’s no way that you can avoid him unless you transfer to second class. Would you prefer to do that?” She shook her head. “Are you certain about that?”
    “I’m not running away, George,” she promised. “I’m not going to hide in second class simply because I don’t wish to bump into Nigel. No,” she went on, “I’ll just have to take a deep breath and get on with it. But I know one thing. From now on, the
Marmora
is going to seem even smaller.”
    “Are you afraid he might bother you?”
    “Nigel is doing that already and I haven’t even come face-to-face with him.”
    “What I meant was whether or not you were afraid he might harass you.”
    “I wouldn’t rule that out. Knowing him, I think he might take a delight in it.”
    “Then I can offer you some relief on that score,” he said, reaching for the passenger list again. “You were so shaken to see Nigel Wilmshurst in here that you didn’t notice the name directly beneath his.”
    “Who is it?”
    “Someone called Araminta Wilmshurst. It looks as if he’s married, Genevieve.”
    “Married?”
    “Yes, you’ll be perfectly safe from him now.”
    * * *
    Nigel Wilmshurst brushed a speck of dust from the sleeve of his jacket then admired himself in the mirror. Tall, thin, suave, and self-regarding, he was meticulous about his appearance. His dark hair was brushed neatly back and his mustache carefully trimmed. Watching him from the other side of the cabin, his wife giggled with amusement.
    “You spend more time in front of a mirror than I do,” she complained.
    “It’s important to look one’s best, Araminta.” He turned to grin at her. “Until the light goes out at night, that is. Then it’s important to
do
one’s best.” She giggled again. “You are going to have a wonderful time, Mrs. Wilmshurst.”
    “I hope that you will as well, darling.”
    “Oh, there’s no doubt about that. I have plans.”
    “Do they include me?”
    “You, me, and lots of champagne,” Nigel said, crossing over to her. “Happy?”
    “Deliriously.”
    “Did I surprise you?”
    “Completely,” she admitted. “When you told me we were going away for our honeymoon, I