Now calm down, missus,” Mr. Hogan said with gentle firmness. “You know you shouldn’t have read that paper. Just like yer husband said, it got ye all upset.”
“My husband is on trial for murder,” Elizabeth argued desperately.
“Yer husband is down at the port, seein’ ‘bout a ship to take ye off explorin’ the world.”
“No, that is my brother.”
“He were yer husband this afternoon,” Mr. Hogan reminded her.
“He was never my husband, he was always my brother,” Elizabeth insisted. “My husband-my real husband is on trial for murdering me.”
“Missus,” he said gently, “you ain’t dead.”
“Oh, my God!” Elizabeth said in a low, explosive voice as she raked her hair off her forehead, trying to think what to do, how to convince them to have Mr. Hogan take her down the coast.

Author: Judith McNaught