Murder on the Marmora Read Online Free

hate each other. Children make a huge difference, of course. They help to bind a family together.”
    “Would you like to have children, Miss Masefield?” asked Myra.
    “It’s not something I’ve ever thought about, to be honest.”
    “But you’re bound to marry one day. You must have dozens of admirers.”
    “Admirers don’t always think in terms of proposals of marriage,” Genevieve said with a smile. “That’s why one has to be so careful.”
    “What sort of man
would
you choose, Miss Masefield?” said Lilian.
    “One that I could love and trust.”
    “And one that could support you properly,” added Myra, as if giving a note to her daughter. “Love, trust, and a reliable income are the bedrock of a happy marriage.”
    “I don’t agree,” said Genevieve. “If money is a prime factor, then the whole business becomes a trifle mercenary. I think I’d prefer a poor husband, whom I adored, than a rich one I could never trust.”
    “How would you pay the bills?”
    “Together.”
    Myra was shocked. “Surely, you’d not expect to work after marriage?”
    “Why not?”
    “Looking after a husband is a full-time occupation.”
    “That depends on the husband, Mrs. Cathcart.”
    “Mine would have been horrified if I’d even contemplated taking a job.”
    “Father was horrified at most things,” Lilian said sadly. “Change of any kind frightened him. He felt that women were simply there as a form of decoration.”
    “Lilian!” Myra exclaimed.
    “It’s true, Mother. I revere his memory but I also remember that he spent all his time stopping me from doing things I wanted to do.”
    “Only because they were inappropriate. I’m ashamed of you for giving Miss Masefield the wrong idea about your father. He doted on you. Show some gratitude,” she urged. “It’s only because heleft us so well provided-for that we can afford this cruise.”
    “What did your husband do?” asked Genevieve.
    “He sold shoes,” Myra said proudly. “Herbert owned two factories and a chain of shoe shops in the Midlands. ‘A nation walks on its feet’—that’s what he always said. He made sure that anyone in Cathcart Shoes walked comfortably.” She smiled fondly. “He was a remarkable man in his own way. He worked so hard for us. Too hard, in fact.”
    Lilian bit her lip. “Please don’t talk about that,” she said. “It only upsets me.”
    “Then let’s have no more unkind remarks about your father.”
    “I wasn’t being unkind, only honest.” Myra quelled her with a glare and Lilian shrank back into her shell. “I’m sorry, Mother. I won’t do it again.”
    “So I should hope.”
    “We should be off soon,” said Genevieve, peering over the rail. “They’re hauling the gangway in. This time tomorrow, we’ll be a long way from London.”
    “That’s what worries me,” Lilian confessed.
    “It’s what excites me,” said Myra. She grasped Genevieve’s hand. “Oh, I’m so glad that we met you, Miss Masefield. And I’m overjoyed that you’re going all the way to Australia, just like us.”
    “Are you, Mrs. Cathcart?”
    “Yes. It will give us chance to get to know you properly.”
    Genevieve quailed inwardly. The remark sounded like a threat.
    In spite of the cold wind, the majority of passengers ventured out on deck to share the moment of departure and to wave to all the friends and well-wishers still ashore. George Porter Dillman took the opportunity to familiarize himself with the interior of the vessel, walking down empty corridors and inspecting deserted public rooms. First-class passengers, over 350 in number, were berthed amidships on the promenade, hurricane, spar, and main decks.The 170 second-class passengers had cabins on the main deck. Public rooms for both classes were on the hurricane deck and Dillman was impressed with what he saw. Efforts had been made to ensure both comfort and visual interest in the lounges, dining rooms, smoke rooms, and music rooms. He was particularly