where, is your Austen collection kept, Jennifer?â
Jennifer was clearly unwilling to talk on the subject, because she simply replied that she did not know. Georgia took on the task of chatting to Dora to prevent her pushing the question further â at least it was a distraction from the nausea.
âAre you sure youâre all right?â Elena whispered.
âIâll be fine,â Georgia repeated shakily. âI canât miss this.â
She could do so all too easily, and from what she could see of Peterâs expression he was suffering the same reaction as she was, although he was better at hiding it.
âIs this the room where Luckhurst was killed?â he asked Tim.
âYes, as far as I can gather,â Tim said. âRobert did his duty in greeting the classic-car owners in front of the main house, then retreated back here, probably because heâd been forewarned about the protest group being on its way. Max Tanner seized his chance and barged in here, where they talked â or argued â for ten minutes or so until they heard the protest group outside, sounding pretty threatening. Max went out into the entrance hall, but the protest group pushed past him, and there was a confrontation with Luckhurst in the doorway here. Eventually, Tom Miller agreed to leave, after Robert said he would give the matter more thought. Well, according to Miller he did leave. According to Tanner, he left as well. The jury decided otherwise â that Tanner stayed behind, shot Robert Luckhurst and then went back to the pub.â
âNo doubt that it was Tannerâs gun?â
âNone. It was found back at the Edgar Arms.â
âDidnât he know the protest march was going to take place?â
âYes, he did. He just mistimed it.â
âWould anyone in Dunham still remember it?â Georgia managed to ask through another wave of nausea.
âOf course they do,â Jennifer said uneasily. âTheyâve long memories, and they brood. Even when Mum bought Stourdens and told them about the path being OK for them to use, they went on foul-mouthing her.â
âBut if Tanner was convicted, why did the issue remain?â
âI donât know. That happens in small communities. Which is why Tim and I have made a point of making sure Dunham is included in any plans, butââ
âJen,â Tim said quietly.
She stopped abruptly. âSorry.â
Jennifer had clearly been on the point of disclosing something about this famous Stourdens plan, but why did she take the matter so seriously? Georgia wondered. Was she scared of Tim? He seemed to have identified himself with the family, but was that because of his relationship with Jennifer or because he was a consultant of some sort?
âDid Amelia Luckhurst believe Tanner guilty?â Peter asked Jennifer.
âIâve no idea. Youâd have to ask Mum or Dad.â Jennifer cast an uneasy look round the room and was clearly eager to leave.
Then Doraâs voice rang out â but from behind them on the far side of the entrance hall. âOh, look !â she cried.
Taken by surprise when Tim realized Dora was no longer with them, he let out one furious expletive before hurrying to join her in the room opposite, leaving them to follow in his wake.
Elena sighed. âOh dear,â she whispered to Georgia. âDora really does go too far sometimes.â
This room was smaller than the study and different in style. It had less natural light, but was painted pale green to offset that disadvantage, and it was simply furnished with a sofa and three armchairs, together with several beautiful small tables.
âNot here, please,â Tim was saying to Dora, almost pleading. âYou really must leave.â
âBut the door was open.â Dora looked hurt. âI only had to push it a little way. I wonât do any harm, will I?â
âNo,â Peter said, before Tim could