First Published: 2003
In this novella the main character is Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould, a character who we know as an old lady in Thomas and Charlotte Pitt novels.
In this case Lady Vespasia is in her thirties, and she is spending some days in the country house of her friend Omegus Jones. There are more guests staying in the house: Lord and Lady Salchester, Sir John and Lady Evelyn Worburton, Fenton and Blanche Twyford, Peter Hanning, Bertie Rosythe, Gwendolen Kilmuir and Isobel Alvie. These two last ladies are young widows.
During dinner Vespasia realises that Gwendolen and Bertie favour each other's company, which doesn't sit well with Isobel. This means that Isobel is jealous and also keen on the man. After dinner there is an incident when Berrtie politely brings a glass of water to Gwendolin, and Isobel makes a scathing comment about Gwendolen wanting him for his money and title. Gwendolen feels offended and leaves the room.
The next day Vespasia finds Omegus in the hall, who tells her that they have found the body of Gwendolen in the river. Apparently, the woman committed suicide, and it seems that Isobel's comment pushed her to the edge. Vespasia tells Isobel about Gwendolen's death, and at first she feels terrible but then she refuses to feel guilty for just a comment. Omegus has told the rest, and when Isobel appears, she is received with hostility and refusal.
Omegus talks to Vespasia, and he says that they should try to find out what caused Gwendolen to jump to her death, and if they discover if it was Isobel's comment or maybe Bertie's attitude towards her, that person should be done something to redeem themselves. And what he thinks should be right is for the person who is responsible to carry the letter that Gwendolen left for her mother to its recipient.
A very interesting beginning. I love Lady Vespasia in the series when she is an old woman, and I love seeing her as a young woman.
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