Death in Hellfire by Deryn Lake Page B

immediately into the red drawing room. It was empty and John crossed to the window to gaze out once more on that perfect view, then he spun round as a voice spoke behind him.
    “Good afternoon, sir.”
    He turned and regarded the woman who stood in the doorway. She seemed almost like a phantom, clad in deepest black as she was. A pair of chilly, arctic blue eyes stared at him and John could not help but notice that her hair, swathed in a head-dress of black gauze, was white as ice from that frozen country. Wearing no cosmetics, her colourless lips did not move as he answered, “Good afternoon, ma’am,” and gave a polite bow.
    She bobbed the slightest curtsey. “I am Lady Juliana Bravo, sister of the Marquess of Arundel.”
    The Apothecary stood silently for a moment, wondering who she was talking about. Then he realised that Bravo must be the family name of the Dukes of Sussex and that Lord Arundel was her brother. The thought that this cold creature was sister-in-law to Coralie fundamentally shocked him.
    He tried gallantly to make conversation. “A pleasant afternoon, is it not?”
    “Very. And who did you say you were, sir?”
    John felt totally embarrassed. “Forgive me, madam. I forgot to tell you. I am the Honourable Fintan O’Hare, fourth son of the Earl of Cavan.”
    “Irish,” was Juliana’s only comment, and taking a seat she picked up a newspaper that someone had left lying about.
    John felt suddenly annoyed. If she had known who he really was she presumably wouldn’t have addressed him at all. But he curbed the sudden rush of irritation and said, “Yes, my family is Irish. I presume that yours came over with the Conqueror.”
    She glanced up at him. “Yes, that is correct. The Dukes of Sussex are an ancient family.”
    At that moment the door opened and the child Georgiana stood in the entrance. She curtseyed. “Aunt Juliana! When did you arrive?”
    The woman’s face lit up from within. “Georgiana, my dearest girl. About an hour ago. Come, give your aunt a kiss.” The child walked sedately towards the chair but at the last minute broke into a little run and was scooped up into Lady Juliana’s arms with a great show of affection.
    “I’m so glad you’re here,” Georgiana continued. “I always feel at ease when you are present.”
    The woman held the child at arm’s length and looked at her. “At ease? What a strange phrase to use.”
    “But it’s true, ma’am,” Georgiana answered. “I know that you will look after me.”
    “You are a quaint little creature,” her aunt replied, but John thought that her voice held a certain thoughtfulness.
    It was at that moment that Coralie entered the room and stood hovering in the doorway a moment, taking in the scene of her sister-in-law and her daughter conversing. Both females, the old and the young, turned to look at her. Great actress that she was, it was only John who could tell that her smile was forced.
    “My dear Juliana,” she said, coming forward, hands outstretched, “how very nice to see you. Are you staying long?” Juliana rose to her feet and gave Coralie an icy kiss on the cheek. “A few days. You know I am still in mourning for our sister Harriet.”
    “Yes, of course. I’m afraid that Charles has left off his dark clothes.”
    “He was never a one for following convention.”
    “No, indeed,” Coralie answered, and John thought he could detect a certain bitterness in her voice.
    But the conversation got no further. Lady Dashwood, accompanied by a grinning Betsy Avon-Nelthorpe entered the room. She stopped short on seeing Juliana.
    “My dear Lady Juliana, welcome to my home.”
    “Thank you.”
    “May I present Mrs Avon-Nelthorpe?”
    The look of disgust on Milady’s face was almost comical but fortunately Betsy appeared not to notice. She dropped a wobbling curtsey and said, “Charmed, your Ladyship. I am a great friend of your brother’s.”
    “Really?” came the frosty reply.
    Lady Dashwood went on in her