Deadly Inheritance by Janet Laurence Page B

you think it will be in the newspapers?’
    ‘I certainly hope not.’
    After Belle had left, Ursula pondered that question. She was sure Richard and his mother would be very keen not to have any publicity over the death of their nursery maid. If, indeed, the corpse was that of their maid.
    * * *
    Ursula awoke a couple of hours later feeling greatly refreshed. So much so that she rose and dressed. She longed to have a bath but to ask a servant to bring one upstairs and then to carry up the hot water seemed too much of an imposition, so she made do with a thorough wash, balancing herself on one leg. The bruising on her body was now so shocking, Ursula found it almost comical. At least it could be decently concealed.
    Dressed, she consulted her watch: four o’clock. Mrs Comfort would take young Harry down to tea and then return to the nursery.
    Ursula gave her ten minutes then walked along the corridor, learning to manage the wooden crutches.
    Mrs Comfort arrived at the door of the nursery at the same time as she did.
    ‘Why, Miss Grandison, you are up – how do you feel?’
    Ursula decided she would have to get used to that question. ‘The ankle is a bother but apart from that I am fine, thank you, Mrs Comfort.’ She hesitated for a moment then said, ‘This morning was a terrible shock and the idea that the dead woman could have been your nursemaid I find very troubling. I wonder – would you be willing to talk to me about her?’
    ‘Oh, my dearie, there is so much I would like to say about poor Polly. Come in and share my tea.’
    The nursery was a large room with a shabby charm. It was evident it had done duty for several generations of children. A large table in the centre of the room had sturdy chairs around it. Painting utensils and sketching paper were in use and Ursula glimpsed colourful attempts at wild beasts in a jungle. Two comfortable chairs stood either side of an iron fireplace. A fire ready for lighting was in the grate. On the floor in one corner stood a large castle complete with brightly painted lead knights in arms. Beside it was a dappled-grey rocking horse with red, snorting nostrils, a long white mane and tail, and a tattered saddle. On a side table stood what looked like several regiments of lead soldiers, some dressed in khaki, others in more colourful uniforms. Mrs Comfort saw Ursula looking at the display.
    ‘Them brown ones were sent to Harry by his uncle, Colonel Charles. Most of the others belonged to his lordship and his brother when they were young.’
    ‘Were you the nanny then, Mrs Comfort? Not that you look old enough,’ Ursula added hastily.
    ‘Bless you, I was here. Nursery maid first and then when Nanny Porter retired I took over. After the young sons went away to school, I was put in charge of the linen; watched both of them grow into such handsome men. When his lordship chose a wife, we were all so thrilled. And when the waiting was over and we knew her ladyship was in an interesting condition, well, what a thing it was to be sure; bringing this nursery back into service! Maybe soon there’ll be another little treasure. But, there, Lord Harry is everything we could desire, even if he does get a bit too lively at times. He’s hoping Mr Charles, I mean the Colonel, will demonstrate his battles with the Boer for him.’
    ‘Harry’s not too young for games of war, then?’
    ‘Bless you, it’s born in them, that’s what I think.’ Mrs Comfort took a box of matches from the top of the mantelshelf and lit the fire. It blazed up instantly.
    A knock on the door preceded James, one of the footmen who had carried Ursula upstairs. All of the Mountstanton footmen seemed to be tall and handsome. He brought in a tray of tea complete with sandwiches and cake.
    ‘Thank you, James. I’m glad to see Chef hasn’t given me short commons. I’ve got a guest today, Miss Grandison is joining me.’
    ‘Glad to see it, Mrs Comfort.’ The young man put the tray on the table and left.
    The