Read Online A Gilded Grave by Shelley Freydont - Free Book Online

clothes for a few days, Deanna.”
    “Me? Must I go?” That would mean Elspeth would also have to accompany them, and she needed to be with Orrin now.
    “Really, Deanna, use your head. You can’t stay alone in the house.”
    Deanna shot a look at her father.
    “Really, my dear?” Mr. Randolph said. “You don’t want the girl to miss all the festivities. You know Newport. They don’t even mourn their own for longer than it takes to leave a black-edged visiting card. And the death of a servant? I’m sorry to say, it won’t slow them down at all. That poor girl—Daisy was her name?—will be replaced and forgotten by sunset. And so will Deanna, if she leaves now.”
    He picked up his paper and snapped it back into shape.“I’m sure Gwen Ballard would love to have Deanna stay for a few days.”
    “Gwen Ballard? I blame her for this nonsense with her grandson. The woman is downright embarrassing. She was dancing with Bernie Ainsworth like some music-hall hoyden.”
    His father raised his paper. This time it completely covered his face.
    Deanna wondered if it was to hide a smile or a frown. Gwen Ballard was one of his favorites. George Randolph had a modern streak in him; Deanna didn’t know how he put up with her mother’s anxieties and concerns about society.
    “Whatever you wish,” he said from behind the newspaper.
    Deanna fought her rising exasperation. This was no time for him to retreat into the morning news. She cleared her throat.
Mention Lord David.
She won’t be able to resist.
    As if he’d received Deanna’s silent message, her father lowered his paper several inches. “But unfortunate timing, my dear. I’m sure some young lady will snatch up Lord David while she’s gone.”
    Deanna smiled inwardly. It was enough to make her believe in telepathy.
    Mrs. Randolph templed her fingers and scrutinized Deanna for a long time. Before she could pronounce sentence, the door opened and the butler announced the arrival of Cassie Woodruff, who hardly waited for him to finish before she flounced into the breakfast room.
    Except for the slight puffiness under her eyes, no one would ever guess she’d danced to all hours and seen a dead person the night before, let alone one closely attached to her household.
    “Good morning. I’m sorry to interrupt.” She curtseyed to Mr. Randolph and then to his wife. “But I couldn’t wait.Mama thought it would be ghoulish to organize badminton and luncheon on the lawn in view of the . . . tragedy. So we’re all going to the Casino for tennis, and tomorrow there’s to be dinner al fresco at Bailey’s Beach.
    “I came to invite Deanna in person. Lord David asked particularly if you would be there.”
    Deanna sighed and looked sad. “I’m afraid I have to go to Boston with Mama and Adelaide.” She sighed again for good measure.
    “Boston?” asked Cassie.
    “Lord David?” Mrs. Randolph said.
    “Oh, please, Mrs. Randolph? Deanna can’t miss all the fun. She can stay with us until you get back. Couldn’t you, Dee? Mama would love to have her.”
    Deanna looked expectantly at her mother. She could see the turmoil in her mind. It
was
like telepathy. She could practically read her mother’s thoughts.
Deanna lost out on Joseph Ballard; this might be her chance to snag an even better prospect
.
    “I suppose a few days won’t hurt. George?”
    “Whatever you think, dear,” he said from behind his paper.
    “I’ll have to ask your mama.”
    “Oh, it will be fine.”
    Deanna gave Cassie a warning look.
    “She’s at home this morning if you’d like to telephone her. Deanna and I will wait upstairs in her room.”
    Deanna saw her mother stiffen ever so slightly. She was one of the sticklers who thought the telephone was to be used only for summoning servants, not conversing with others in one’s society.
    “Would that be all right, Mama?” Deanna said quickly.“You could write Mrs. Woodruff a note, and we could take it over or have one of the footmen