Read Online Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryham by MC Beaton - Free Book Online Page A

bray of laughter. Then he said, ‘Plan to stay long? I belong to the local hunt. Got some good hunting around here.’
    ‘Don’t hunt,’ said Charles.
    Tolly eyed him with sudden suspicion. ‘What did you get your knighthood for?’
    ‘It’s a baronetcy,’ said Charles patiently. ‘In the family for years.’
    ‘And where’s your place?’
    ‘Warwickshire. Actually, the reason we called is that Aggie and I have made a pretty good job at solving some mysteries in the past. Thought we might be able to help you.’
    ‘Very kind of you. I don’t see what you can do that the police can’t.’
    The door of the drawing-room opened, and a nondescript man looked in. ‘Could we have a word with you, sir?’
    ‘Sure.’ He turned to Agatha and Charles. ‘This is Detective Chief Inspector Percy Hand. He’s in charge of things. I’ve been talking to a couple of amateur detectives here.’
    Hand gave them a bleak smile. ‘If you could come with me, sir.’
    ‘Right,’ said Tolly. ‘Come again, if you like. Can you see yourselves out?’
    ‘What a pill,’ marvelled Charles. ‘It’s a wonder it’s not a murder we’re looking at.’
    They got in the car. ‘What’s up, Aggie? You’ve got a face like a fiddle.’
    ‘Why the hell should he think I’m not one of their sort! That’s what he said.’ Agatha looked miserably at her hands.
    ‘Oh, that. It’s because he’s a vulgar pushy little man, insecure socially and always trying to put someone down. Cheer up. Maybe someone will murder him and then life around here will really get exciting.’
    Agatha found she was enjoying Charles’s company. They took a walk in the rain in the late afternoon. The air was full of the smell of grass and plants, although over all hung the redolent scent of the pine trees. They walked down past the little row of shops, farther than Agatha had gone, and turning a corner, found there were more little shops around the bend: an ironmonger’s, a thrift shop, a dried-flower shop, which also sold candles of all shapes and sizes, and a small garage with two rusting old cars at the side of the forecourt.
    The drizzle was steady and soaking and began to sweep across their vision in curtains of rain blown by a rising wind. Night had fallen and lights twinkled in cottage windows.
    ‘Pub should be open by now,’ said Charles. ‘Let’s go for a drink.’
    The pub was still empty. Agatha took a seat by the fire after removing her soaking raincoat. ‘A gin and tonic for me, Charles.’
    Charles went up and rapped on the bar. A strong waft of rose perfume heralded the arrival of Rosie Wilden in a cream wool dress which complemented the creaminess of her complexion and the vivid blue of her eyes.
    Charles leaned over the bar and began to flirt. First he affected astonishment that such rare beauty could be found behind the bar of a village pub. Then he began to ask her about herself. It was when he got around to asking her if she ever had a night off that Agatha called crossly, ‘What about my drink, Charles?’
    ‘Right,’ he called back but without turning around. ‘That’ll be a gin and tonic and a half of bitter.’
    Then he fumbled in his jacket. ‘I’m afraid I’ve forgotten my wallet.’
    ‘That’s all right, sir. I’ll put it on the slate.’
    ‘No need for that. Aggie’ll pay. Aggie?’
    Agatha marched up to the bar and put the money on the counter. ‘Why don’t you come and join me, Charles?’ she demanded. ‘Or are you going to prop up the bar all night?’
    Charles sat down opposite her and said, ‘The way you go on sometimes, one would think we were married.’
    ‘Particularly when you never pay for anything.’
    ‘Well, she’s quite something.’
    Agatha felt all the irritation any woman feels when her escort praises some other woman. ‘I’d forgotten what you were like.’ Agatha sighed. ‘In fact, I’ve made a mistake coming here. I’m going back home next week.’
    ‘What, with fairies shining