Anne Perry - A Dangerous Mourning

"I doubt it will come to that, Mrs. Kellard," Rathbone said, his voice wrung out with pity and disgust. "With a good lawyer you will probably spend the rest of your life in prison- for manslaughter, while distracted with grief-"

"I'd rather hang!" she spat out at him.

“I daresay,'' he agreed.”But the choice will not be yours.'' He swung around. "Nor yours, Sir Basil. Sergeant Evan, please do your duty.''

Obediently Evan stepped forward and placed the iron manacles on Araminta's thin white wrists. The constable from the doorway did the same to Basil.

Romola began to cry, deep sobs of self-pity and utter confusion.

Cyprian ignored her and went to his mother, quietly putting his arms around her and holding her as if he had been the parent and she the child.

"Don't worry, my dear; we shall take care of you," Septimus said clearly. "I think perhaps we shall eat here tonight and make do with a little hot soup. We may wish to retire early, but I think it will be better if we spend the evening together by the fire. We need each other's company. It is not a time to be alone.''

Hester smiled at him and walked over to the window and drew the curtain sufficiently to allow her to stand in the lighted alcove. She saw Monk outside in the snow, waiting, and raised her hand to him in a slight salute so that he would understand.

The front door opened and Evan and the constable led out Basil Moidore and his daughter for the last time.

Among Anne Perry’s other novels featuring investigator William Monk are Funeral in Blue , Slaves of Obsession , The Twisted Root , and A Breach of Promise . She also writes the popular novels featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, including The Whitechapel Conspiracy , Half Moon Street , Bedford Square , and Brunswick Gardens . Her short story “Heroes” won an Edgar Award. Anne Perry lives in Scotland. Visit her Web site atwww.anneperry.net.