Page 119 of The Heir
“With me!” Mother laid one long white hand on her bosom. Her gaze flickered to Jane.
Have you guessed yet?Jane wondered.Do you know what’s about to happen?
“Are you sure we should not wait for Sir John?” Mother was saying. “Surely whatever you have to say—”
Jane found she couldn’t stand any more. “Mother, we are here to talk about Dr. Maton.”
Mother drew back just a little, but her expression remained perfectly, politely bland.
“Lady Conroy,” said the princess, “Dr. Maton was killed. He was poisoned, possibly very slowly, over the course of several weeks.”
“Good heavens,” murmured Mother.
Do you know? Do you see it yet?
“It was your doing, Lady Conroy,” said the princess.
Jane did not know what reaction she expected to this blunt statement. She could not even fully believe that the words had been spoken out loud, that they reflected any possible version of reality.
Mother’s response was to arch her delicate brows. “I poisoned a man? Goodness, ma’am! I’m afraid such a thing would be far too much trouble for me.”
“But you did do it,” said Jane. “You poisoned his tea. Then you upset the tray and broke all the china so it could not be used again. You sent him away to die.” She swallowed. “And you did it because otherwise he would have written in his memoir that you have been lying to Father all these years and letting him believe you are related to the Duke of Kent.”
“Unfortunately, he is not always careful with the little things,” Mother had said. “Small details, small men . . . He leaves them scattered about.”
“What an amusing story,” murmured Mother. “But you should know, Jane, your father will not be very pleased when he learns you have been spinning such ridiculous fancies for Her Highness. I do apologize, ma’am,” she added to the princess. “My daughter’s imagination seems to have become overwrought from your recent kind attentions—”
The princess did not let her get any further. “I notice, Lady Conroy, you do not ask where Betty is.”
“Betty?” Mother echoed.
The princess inclined her head. “Betty is on her way to Sheffield. She will collect her family and from there proceed to Leicestershire. A very bad time of year to have to travel, but there’s a living there for her brother. A gift of the countess. While we visited her home on the tour, she mentioned the position had recently become open.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what that has to do with me. Other than the fact that this largesse has left me short yet another servant!”
“Betty overheard your last meeting with Dr. Maton,” said the princess. “She saw you break the tea set and go on to blame Susan for it. You were paying her for her silence, and to keep an eye on your daughters, just in case they said anything odd.”
“I see,” said Mother.
Jane had not known what she would feel at this time. She had not expected it to be so much heartbreak or so much silent rage. The blood drained from her face as she watched Mother sitting quite still and poised, calmly listening to the princess speak about her guilt.
Her beautiful, languid mother, who hated any sort of bother. She had poisoned a man. She had watched him walk out the door to die.
Mother sat, beautifully composed, her hands perfectly folded, her skirts spread out prettily around her, her dark curls falling across her sloping shoulders.
“Well,” Mother said, “I am certain that upon reflection, ma’am, you will see that this story is one best forgotten as quickly as possible. That is sure to be my husband’s view of the matter.”
Do you honestly think you can scare her by mentioning Father?
“I’m sorry, Lady Conroy,” said Victoria. “I cannot let this matter go.”
Mother laughed just a little. “But, ma’am, surely my daughter’s hysterics—”
The princess did not allow her to finish. “What would be best, Lady Conroy, would be for you to leave.”
“Leave?” echoed Mother.
“Sir John still has family in Ireland, I believe. In fact, he has a sister—Cathleen is her name, is it not? You can go to her. It can be said that you require a rest and are on an extended visit.”
