Lord Lynche slammed his fist down on the nursery table.

“Whatever happens, you must not suffer. You have tried to kill a man who is nothing but vermin, a man who would leave the world a cleaner place if he was no longer in it. I will get my lawyers to engage the best Counsel in England. We will fight every inch of the way.”

Carina shook her head.

“It will be no use,” she answered. “It was premeditated. I meant to kill him. I sat here waiting for him and when he came I aimed for his heart.”

“He is not dead yet,” Lord Lynche said desperately.

“You don’t know that,” Carina said. “I think it would be best if we went downstairs and faced – what has to be faced.”

She held her head high, as if she was an aristocrat going to the guillotine and somehow it was not difficult to feel brave because of her love for him and the knowledge that he loved her in return.

Lord Lynche walked across to her.

“I never imagined a woman could show such courage,” he said.

“I am not really brave,” Carina answered. “I think it is you who are making me so.”

He took her hand in his and his fingers closed over hers so tightly that the pain almost made her cry out.

“I am afraid of you – and for you,” he said.

“We must go down,” Carina told him. “The doctor will be arriving and, when he has seen Sir Percy, he will send for the Police.”

“Damn it, I will not allow it!” Lord Lynche exploded. “We will drop Sir Percy in the lake, bury him in the Park or hide him somewhere, anything so that you shall not suffer.”

“And what do you think his friends would say?” Carina asked with a little smile on her lips as if Lord Lynche had spoken like an irresponsible child. “No, there is nothing we can do.”

Lord Lynche opened his hand and looked down at her crushed fingers.

“Such a little hand, he said, “and yet it is strong enough to kill a man who deserved it.”

“That is not the law,” Carina pointed out.

“Do you think I care about the law or anything else except you?” Lord Lynche asked. “Why cannot we run away now, this very moment? Leave The Castle by the back door? We could be in France in the morning.”

“And forsake your mother?” Carina asked him. “Have you told her yet what happened last night?”

“I am not as brave as you,” Lord Lynche answered. “My lawyer arrived a few minutes before dinner was announced. I have not even told him as yet.”

“And if Sir Percy dies?” Carina asked.