Read 02 - Murder at Dareswick Hall for Free Online Page A

taking in the whole room
and lighting up his eyes so that they seemed to shine in the light from the
chandelier. But it was not the first man that caught everyone’s attention or
drew a collective gasp from all those present. It was the second. He entered
the room a little behind Baron Atherton, a tall, dark and uncommonly handsome
man, although his eyes betrayed his arrogance.
    Rose
found that she was clutching on to the sideboard as if for support; only just
in time did she stop her nails from digging into the polished wood. Of all the
guests that Isabella could have brought with her, it had never occurred to her
that she might be acquainted with the gentleman. And of all the people she
never wished to see again, which admittedly were few, then surely this man
before her must come top of her list. Hands shaking slightly, with an effort
she forced herself to look up and meet the man’s gaze full on. She looked Lord
Sneddon squarely in the eye.

Chapter Four
     
    Lord
Sneddon’s entrance had caused a collective gasp; as the moments passed it now
caused complete silence as if each person in the room was unsure how to react to
his sudden appearance. Rose expected Cedric to feel disappointed and agitated.
Indeed, looking across at him she could clearly see the anger etched on his
face. She went to stand next to him to reassure him that, from her perspective
at least, it did not matter even though of course it did. But she had no
intention of letting it spoil their visit. What she had not expected, however,
was that the others would look so distressed at Lord Sneddon’s entrance. She
felt that she and Cedric had good reason to after what had happened at
Ashgrove, but Hallam, if anything, looked more livid than Cedric at the
identity of Isabella’s guest. Josephine had gone quite pale and Rose could not
help but notice how every now and then Hallam glanced over at his sister
anxiously, as if he did not know how Josephine would be taking Sneddon’s
appearance. Indeed, he looked as if he feared that she might faint at any
moment.
    The
moment was broken by the baron clearing his throat noisily in preparation for
making an announcement, and by Isabella crossing the room to go over to Sneddon
to take his arm.
    ‘My
lords, ladies and gentlemen,’ began Baron Atherton pompously, ‘I cannot tell
you all how very honoured I am to make this announcement. This evening my dear
Hugh, Lord Sneddon,’ at this he turned to beam at Sneddon, ‘asked, nay demanded
even, so great was his mission, to see me in my study to ask permission for my
youngest daughter’s hand in marriage, which I gave gladly. Crabtree! Now where
is that man?’ A frown appeared on the baron’s forehead as he surveyed the room
in search of his butler. ‘The man was told to get the champagne on ice and arrange
for it to be brought in. Oh there you are, Crabtree, what kept you? Come on
now, pour.’
    There
was a general shuffling of feet and fidgeting as those present waited
restlessly for the butler to pour the champagne and distribute the drinks. Rose
caught Cedric’s eye, and saw the sadness in his face. Meanwhile, Hallam’s face
was getting redder and redder and he was clawing at an occasional table to such
an extent that there was a very distinct possibility that he might upset a
crystal vase of cut flowers.
    ‘My
lords, ladies and gentlemen. I would like you to raise your glasses and toast –.’
    ‘No!’
Before anyone could stop him, Hallam sprang forward and tore the champagne
flute from his father’s hand, upsetting the contents and hurling the glass to
the ground where it smashed on the parquet floor into a hundred little pieces.
‘No father, you can’t. You can’t possibly give your consent to such a union.
Not after everything he’s done and everything we’ve been through. I forbid it!
And you,’ he said turning to Isabella, ‘you, darling Issy, you can’t possibly
want to marry him. You know what sort of a man he