It took time for the blur of inordinate noise to distribute itself into proper sense. Finally Jemima Shore, standing next to Charlotte Lackland at the Taynford Grange fete, understood what was being said to be: "Lady Manfred has found a body." Charlotte Lackland had evidently understood to the same effect and at roughly the same moment. She gave a little scream, swayed, clutched Jemima's arm as though for support, and then repeated: "A body! Here!" in obvious shock. Her next words were: "Where's Dessie?" How ironic to recall that Charlotte had actually apologised in advance to Jemima for "dragging" her to the Taynford Grange fete on the grounds that she would find it "so terribly dull"! Whatever else could be said about the Taynford Grange fete, it certainly did not turn out to be dull. In any case Jemima was not quite so reluctant to be dragged to Taynford Grange as Charlotte imagined. At the time, it provided quite a welcome distraction. Her visit to Lackland Court had been ostensibly arranged via Zena Meredith to discuss the forthcoming Cavalier Celebration and her own role in it, but Jemima intended at.
