Page 56

‘Yes. He showed me them once when I was ten.’

Henry reaches out his finger to tap the glass that holds the large tome within its own compartment, Julian’s gold-flecked stone glinting dully before it.

‘Why would an ancient book of philosophy have on it the Tresilian crest? It makes no sense. Such a crest would more likely appear on a family Bible but you have one of those in the cabinet upstairs, and no such symbol appears on that.’

Linette stares at the book’s black leather bindings, the symbol jutting from the cover like veins in a hand.

‘What are you saying?’

‘I’m saying, is this symbol a crest at all?’

She frowns. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘Think about it. The likelihood of Beddoe wearing a ring that matches Julian’s – a ring with the Tresilian crest on it – is low, unless someone in your family gave him one, which would hardly be appropriate. What gentleman would wear the crest of a family not their own? As I said, it makes no sense. Besides, it doesn’t look like a crest. What if, then, this symbol is something else entirely?’

‘I still don’t understand. Are you accusing Julian now?’

At this Henry frowns, as if it were a new consideration.

‘You did say,’ Linette points out, ‘that your Mr Fielding always considered the facts and took note of all the people who link to them. It seems you’re suggesting that my cousin plays some part in this because of a connection to Dr Beddoe?’

He blinks, opens his mouth, shuts it again.

‘No, that wasn’t—I did not—’

‘Because such a thing is ridiculous. My cousin barely gave Dr Evans any mind. How could he, when he was never here?’ Linette presses her bottom lip with her teeth. ‘The Tresilian crest is unusual, I admit, but it has nothing to do with Dr Evans’ death, and surely that is where our focus should lie?’

A muscle ticks in Henry’s jaw.

‘I am not accusing your cousin of anything. But you have to admit Beddoe has behaved suspiciously and the significance of his ring is perplexing.’

‘Perhaps you were mistaken in that! A fleeting glimpse, you said.’

He falls silent, and Linette can see from his expression that doubt has crept its way in. He looks once more at Julian’s book.

‘All you’re doing is chasing shadows,’ she reasons. ‘The only thing we can both be sure of is the vial and what it contained, and it is that we should be pursuing.’

At this Henry’s expression grows pensive, and Linette can imagine his thoughts turning like cogs within his head.

‘You said Dr Evans and Beddoe argued?’

Linette considers. ‘They exchanged the odd disagreeable word about Mamma’s treatment. But Henry, that can hardly be a reason why he would want Wynn Evans dead.’

‘Even so, Beddoe is the only link we have, so we must contrive a way to find out more. Discover if he had a motive, even if one is not immediately obvious.’

‘All right,’ she agrees. ‘I shall ask Enaid, see if there is anything she might know about the nature of their relationship.’

‘And I can ask the reverend. Mr Dee said himself they were good friends.’

‘There then. We can always ask Julian on his return to enlighten us as to the mystery of the rings, if you did indeed see what you thought you saw.’

Henry chews his inner cheek. Linette sighs.

‘Come. We gain nothing by staying here.’

In the soft grip of her hand he reluctantly allows her to lead him away, and together they cross Julian’s sitting room. Near the armchairs, however, he pauses. Narrows his eyes.

‘What is it now?’