Angel With Two Faces by Nicola Upson Page B

for you,’ she said, pushing the bottle across the table. ‘You may want to share it, though.’
       
    The night air was anything but springlike by the time Archie walked Josephine back to the Lodge, but the beauty of the moon over the lake more than made up for the chill that partnered the clear skies. They paused at the end of the drive, transfixed by the silver light playing on the water, but – as magical as it was – Josephine’s mind was on other things.
    ‘Are you all right?’ Archie asked. ‘You’ve been a bit quiet since dinner.’
    ‘I’m fine,’ she said, taking his arm. ‘It’s just the journey catching up with me. It was a lovely evening, though, and William’s marvellous.’
    ‘He is, isn’t he? I knew you’d like him. In all the years…’
    A gunshot rang out through the woods, muffling Archie’s words and startling Josephine. ‘What was that?’ she asked, looking anxiously towards the trees.
    ‘Don’t worry – it’s only the gamekeeper, and it sounds closer than it is. That’ll be one fox less after the pheasants – unless one of those gypsies William mentioned has run out of luck.’
    He was joking, but the thought of Kestrel Jacks with a gun didn’t exactly reassure Josephine. Before she could ask him anything about the gamekeeper, she noticed a young woman coming towards them along the path from the direction of the Lodge. ‘Gets busy, doesn’t it?’ she said wryly to Archie.
    ‘That’s Morwenna,’ he said. ‘What on earth’s she doing wandering the woods at night?’
    ‘She’s probably just glad of the peace and quiet. From what you tell me, I imagine she’s had enough of company for one day.’
    Certainly, Morwenna showed no inclination to engage for long. ‘I’m sorry to hear about your brother,’ Josephine said when Archie had introduced them. Morwenna shot an accusing glance at him and, realising her mistake, Josephine tried to rectify it. ‘William told me about the accident,’ she said quickly. ‘It must have been a terrible shock.’
    ‘Yes, yes,’ she said dismissively, but seemed to soften towards Archie. ‘I’ve been looking for Loveday,’ she explained, glancing at him and ignoring Josephine completely. ‘She went for a walk after the wake. You haven’t seen her anywhere, have you?’
    ‘No, I’m afraid not. Have you tried Morveth’s?’
    ‘Not yet, but I’ll go there now. I just thought I’d drop in at the Lodge in case she’d gone to say hello to you. She likes to see you when you’re home.’ It might have been her imagination, but Josephine thought she detected a slight emphasis on the lastword. ‘We both do,’ Morwenna continued, and Josephine could only admire her for delivering such a loaded sentiment without a hint of coyness. She wondered if she should walk on and leave them to it, but Archie showed no sign of awkwardness.
    ‘I’m sorry we were interrupted earlier,’ he said, ‘but I’ll come and see you at the cottage. We can talk properly there.’
    ‘Thanks, Archie,’ she said, genuinely grateful. ‘I’ll see you then.’
    ‘All right – unless you need any help looking for Loveday?’
    ‘No – she’ll turn up. You know what she’s like – she runs wild everywhere at this time of year. I wouldn’t normally go out looking, but it’s been a long day and she’s over-excited, and the wake carried on at the Commercial Inn – God knows what state some of them are in by now.’
    ‘There’ll be a few wavering footsteps along the cliff path tonight, then.’
    She smiled. ‘Exactly, so I don’t want her getting into any trouble.’
    ‘Look, are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?’
    ‘Yes, I’m sure. You’re probably right about her being with Morveth – and I’d rather be on my own for a bit.’
    She was gone before Archie could argue. ‘Beautiful but difficult?’ Josephine guessed when they were out of earshot. ‘I’m sorry – I didn’t mean to drop you in it, but there was no