A Death by Arson by Caroline Dunford Page B

it.’
    â€˜The baby?’ I said urgently.
    â€˜Oh, Amy’s fine.’
    â€˜No, Richenda’s!’
    â€˜Ah,’ said Bertram, blushing. ‘Doctor said there was nothing else to worry about, so I assume that it’s still well tethered. Didn’t like to pry; female stuff and all that.’
    â€˜How is Hans?’
    â€˜Angry,’ said Bertram. ‘She slipped on one of Amy’s toys and he blames the new nursery nurse. Though we both know what Amy’s like. Any room she’s in looks like an earthquake has hit it within a quarter of an hour of her starting to play.’
    I nodded. Amy’s untidiness was legendary. She remained the only person to have ever brought Hans’ stoic butler, Stone, to his knees – with the help of her marbles.
    â€˜Where was Ellie?’
    â€˜I got the impression,’ said Bertram, colouring even more deeply, ‘from Richenda that she was attending to a natural function. Richenda thought that Ellie had been away some time, and she was feeling the need to rest, so she opened the door and took a few steps along the corridor to find the girl.’
    â€˜Will she ever learn to pull the bell and not see to things herself?’ I demanded in despair. I was about to develop my theme on how Richenda needed to become more genteel, when Bertram interrupted with a comment that took my breath away.
    â€˜â€™Course, it wasn’t the poor girl’s fault. It was Richard who put it there.’
    I regarded him blankly.
    â€˜Think about it, Euphemia! She went out the door. The toy was outside the nursery. Amy has never been allowed to play by the stairs.’
    â€˜You know Amy’s propensity for getting into places where she should not –’ I began. Bertram cut me short.
    â€˜She’s been under someone’s eye every moment she’s been here. Hans has been most insistent. Bit of a surprise, really. I mean, he’s about to get one of his own, you might think he wouldn’t…’
    â€˜Hans is not like that,’ I said shortly. ‘He adopted Amy and he loves her as if she is her own.’
    â€˜Yes, I am aware that, according to you, he’s a perfect paragon,’ said Bertram sharply. ‘Unlike my own brother, who, despite getting the wretched homestead, is still intent on offing his twin. Can’t stand to be beaten at anything. Always been the same. You know, I used to choose the weakest conkers on purpose. It tended to get painful if I ever won.’
    â€˜I suppose he might have feared that a document drawn up under Scottish law might not be strong enough to hold up in England,’ I said thoughtfully, ‘but to attempt to kill his sister – and at his own wedding!’
    â€˜Exactly,’ said Bertram. ‘Now, if you will excuse me, I have an appointment with the contents of a cocktail shaker. Try and stay with the herd, Euphemia, I don’t want to see Richard getting cocky and trying to take you out as an encore. You know you’ve always been a thorn in his side.’ And with that extraordinary statement he set off across the room, weaving easily between the guests. It was only when he tried to walk straight that his state became most apparent.
    â€˜I take it he has told you everything,’ said Hans’ voice at my elbow.
    I spun around. ‘It is true? Are they both safe? Richenda and her baby?’
    Hans’ rather grim expression broke into a smile. ‘The doctor said he had never met a tougher lady. He has no fears. Though he did suggest Richenda might cut down on her intake of cake.’
    â€˜And he still lives?’ I asked, with a shaky smile.
    â€˜I pointed out that Richenda has a constitution that needs cake and all was well. I think he quickly realised his error. The look she gave him could have felled an army.’
    â€˜I know you are making light of the situation to put me at my ease, but do you agree with Bertram’s