Read Online Murder at the Bellamy Mansion by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter - Free Book Online

at the front door. “Come in, come in, my beautiful girls. Not that I would deny you your honeymoons but I am so happy that you are home again.”
    We hugged our aunt and she squeezed us, then we allowed ourselves to be steered down the narrow hallway into the parlor at the rear of the house. “You make yourselves comfy while I fix the sandwiches. Benjamin, would you pour tea for the girls.
    “ And now, bless my soul, we have another wedding to plan,” she told us merrily as she disappeared into their small kitchen.
    Melanie and I settled into Binkie’s mother’s antique sofa and arm chair. We arched our eyebrows at each other as Binkie fussed over us and made small talk. “She has sworn me to secrecy,” he said, beaming. “She wants the words to come only from her lips.”
     
    Wedding? Who did we know who was getting married?
    “ Now what did you want to discuss with me, Ashley dear?” Binkie asked.
    Melanie got up. “I think I’ll just go wash my hands.” And she left us.
    “ Well, you know everything about our town’s history,” I began. “And Esther Hudson was telling Jon and me that during the antebellum period there was some conflict between the white carpenters and craftsmen and the African American carpenters. Can you shed some light on that?”
    Binkie topped off my iced tea glass. “Esther is correct, Ashley. The African-Americans, both free and enslaved, were quite skilled in the building trades. They were craftsmen and artisans. They could accomplish things others could not. And they were free to bid their own contracts, as long as they gave a percentage to their owners. So they were able to underbid the whites. And they did.
    “ This often meant the white carpenters lost work. And they were outraged. Things got out of hand. One of the town leaders suggested that if they were unhappy with the system, they should leave town.”
    “ And did they?”
    Melanie returned.
    Aunt Ruby called from the dining room, “Lunch is ready. Now y’all gather round the table and I’ll tell you all about the wedding.”
    And we joined our aunt in their old-fashioned dining room with its heavy dark furniture and lace tablecloth. Most of the Chastain family furniture that had been in Aunt Ruby’s house was now used in Melanie’s house, with a few pieces in storage for me, waiting until when I could decide where I wanted to place them.
    “ Oh my, this looks scrumptious,” I said as I eyed a sandwich of chicken salad, lettuce, and tomato on home baked thick, crusty whole wheat bread. On the side, there was fruit: sliced pears and red grapes.
    “ Grace first,” Aunt Ruby directed. “Benjamin will you do the honors.” And we joined hands as Binkie asked the blessing.
    How his life has changed, I reflected. And how happy he looks. He loved being married to our aunt after a lifetime of bachelorhood spent in scholarly research, writing, and teaching. He once confided to me the sweetest thing, saying that he felt like he had been standing in the shade all of his life, until Aunt Ruby moved in and brought the sunshine with her. I was happy for both of them. Always happy when life turned out for the better, as mine had with Jon. Just the thought of him quickened my pulse.
    “ Enough of this mystery, Aunt Ruby,” Melanie said. “What wedding? Whose wedding are we planning?”
    “ And why are we planning the wedding?” I asked. “We don’t know anyone who is getting married.”
    “ Well, land’s sake, you just won’t believe this. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I got the call. Now, just you settle yourselves while I fetch more tea, and then I’ll tell you all the exciting news.”
    Aunt Ruby fluttered about, straightening napkins and the tablecloth, then flitted toward the kitchen.
    Aunt Ruby does not flutter, nor does she flit, so this big mysterious wedding announcement had thrown her off kilter. Still, she seemed pleased by the news that someone was about to get married.
    Aunt Ruby