We were back in the automobile. ‘Then we will have to tell him everything we have done. He won’t be happy,’ said Rory. ‘He needs to know he had a half-sister.’ Rory took my hand. ‘We don’t know for certain Sophy was his sister.’ I opened my mouth to protest, but he forestalled me. ‘I agree we have every reason to be suspicious, but we don’t have any proof, do we?’ I looked down at his hand in mine. I knew my mother would be appalled at this familiarity, but all I saw in Rory’s face was a deep concern. ‘We could be in danger, couldn’t we?’ I said. ‘Of losing our situations certainly,’ answered Rory. ‘As for anything else. Yes, I agree we might know potentially damaging information about the Staplefords or we may only have uncovered that the late Lord Stapleford made proper arrangements for his unfortunate niece.’ ‘But she’s dead, Rory.’ ‘Mrs Mason was quite clear that those that God has made differently often do not live long lives.’ ‘I know, but I cannot but fear …’ ‘That Richard Stapleford killed her?
