Виктория Холт - Snare of Serpents

Well, Hamish will not be able to do more mischief … and I am on my way.

You will find enclosed an account of what happened. I do not want the sordid details of my life made public. That is for you alone. The letter enclosed you will give to your Ninian. He will know what to do with it. It is my confession. It explains everything that is necessary. It is all people need to know and you will be completely exonerated from all guilt. No more Not Proven.

God bless you, Davina. In spite of my wickedness I did love you. You became like a daughter to me. I love little Stephen and I want everything to be perfect for you. I want to rub out that stigma forever.

No one can say now that the case against you was Not Proven.

Be happy. You have a chance now.

Goodbye, Davina,

ZlLLAH

I could scarcely read the note she had prepared because of the tears in my eyes.

And later I showed it to Ninian.

He read it through and when he lifted his face to mine I saw the joy there.

He stood up and took my hands in his. Then he held me tightly against him.

“She’s right,” he said. “We’re free. It’s over, Davina. I knew we were right to come back and face it. It happened here and here was the solution.”

“It is strange,” I said. “She did that … and I really loved her. She was truly … lovable … and yet … she could do that.”

“Life is strange. People are strange. And she is right when she says we can be happy now. The case is proven, Davina, my dearest, proven without a doubt.”

He was radiant with joy; I suppose we both were. Life was good and seemed the brighter because of the darkness. I could now look ahead without fear. I had my husband; I had my child; and Zillah had cleared for me the way to contentment.