He nodded but put a warning finger up to his lips. “I can’t say I’m exactly sorry. Couldn’t stand the bastard, but Papa is not going to be thrilled. I suppose I should go in there and support my brother, although I can’t stand the sight of dead bodies in general and I’m sure that Pirin’s will be more revolting than most of them.”

He held out his arm to me. “I should probably be gentlemanly and escort you to the safety of the drawing room first, in case you faint or something.”

“Do I look as if I’m about to faint?” I asked.

“You look a little green,” he said, “but I expect I do too. At least he had the courtesy to wait until the meal was over before he died. I’d have hated to miss that wild boar.” And he gave me a grin that reminded me of a naughty schoolboy.

“I’m all right. I’ll find my own way,” I said. “I expect your brother would like to have you with him.”

Everyone was behaving with the greatest decorum, leaving the table quietly, some of them glancing across at the archway to the anteroom where Pirin’s feet could be seen sticking off the end of the couch. I heard my mother’s clear voice over the discreet murmur. “The way that man wolfed down his food and drink he was a heart attack waiting to happen.”

I wanted desperately to be with Darcy, but I couldn’t think of a good reason to intrude, as a mere guest at the castle. But I lingered as long as I dared until most of the company had passed through the big double doors and then slowly followed Anton toward the anteroom. As I neared the entrance of the anteroom I heard Lady Middlesex’s strident voice saying, “Heart attack, my foot. It is quite clear that the man was poisoned.”

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Bran Castle plus dead body
Still November 17

I needed no further reason to enter that room. After all, I had experienced more of my share of murder than most young women of my station in life. I was just about to follow Anton inside when Darcy came out, almost colliding with me.

“Hello,” he said. “I was just coming to find you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming here?” I demanded.

“At the time of our last conversation I had no idea that you were planning to attend the wedding,” he said. “And your terrifying sister-in-law made it quite clear I was never to communicate with you again.”

“So when did you ever do what anyone told you?” I asked.