Read Online Berried Alive (Manor House Mystery) by Kate Kingsbury - Free Book Online Page B

them were in the military now, of course, but in the aftermath of her parents' death and her subsequent divorce, she'd had to sack the remaining staff. All but Violet and Martin. Polly and Sadie were recent additions, and she could barely afford them.
    So much needed to be done in the house. She and Violet had managed makeshift repairs, with the help of Desmond and in spite of the hindrance of Martin who, more often than not, insisted on giving a hand.
    They'd cleaned chimneys and repaired lighting fixtures, hung blackout curtains and unplugged lavatories. So far, however, they hadn't managed to solve the problem of loudly gurgling water pipes, or the occasional leaks in the roof during a heavy downpour.
    Earl had found a young man at the base who had training as a plumber but the poor fellow, when faced with an alarming array of ancient pipes and an antiquated system that ran throughout the vast manor, had confessed that the task was far beyond his capabilities, and suggested Elizabeth call in an experienced plumber.
    All very well said and done, Elizabeth thought, as she wheeled her motorcycle out of the stables. But the only plumber to be found in the village was serving in the navy somewhere in the Pacific, and being able to afford a competent plumber from North Horsham was out of the question.
    So the pipes merrily gurgled, groaned and hissed away, no doubt giving rise to the persistent rumors that the Manor House was haunted by its previous inhabitants. Including her own father and mother.
    Elizabeth thought about her parents as she sped down the hill toward the main street of Sitting Marsh. She missed them both dreadfully, and at times her sense of loss was almost overwhelming.
    Taking over the sprawling mansion and its vast acres of land was difficult enough, but inheriting the title of lady of the manor, sole heir of the last earl of Wellsborough, had been daunting at times. Especially since it was common knowledge in the village that the late earl's wife had been nothing more than a kitchen maid when he married her. Elizabeth's claim to aristocracy had been severely hampered by that fact. At least to some people. Rita Crumm in particular.
    Her thoughts on the impending scavenger hunt, Elizabeth roared down the high street, graciously acknowledging the scattered villagers on the street by returning their waves with a quick flick of her wrist.
    Her sparse response was necessitated by her need to hang onto the handlebars with both hands. Much as she enjoyed the stir she caused when entering the village on her mechanical steed, she had no wish to crash the darn thing and end up with her feet in the air and her skirts around her head. Rita Crumm would feast on that spectacle for the rest of her born days. Thanks to the sidecar, which helped maintain her balance, the chance of that happening was remote. Unless she lost control of the vehicle, of course.
    Thankfully coming to a halt in front of the police station,Elizabeth shut off her engine and climbed off the saddle. She wanted a word with the constables before she rode out to the Adelaide's dairy farm. Not that she expected any real help from them, but it wouldn't hurt to let them know she was helping with the enquiries. That way she could defend herself should the police inspector make a rare visit and accuse her of intruding in police work.
    Police Constable George Dalrymple was seated at his desk as usual when she entered, a huge bag of pastries from Bessie's bake shop sitting in front of him. One hand held a Banbury cake with a huge bite taken out of it, and George's jaws worked at the piece in his mouth as he rose to his feet.
    "Goo' morn'n your ladyship," he mumbled, and dabbed at his mouth with a large white handkerchief. "Just having me elevenses, like. Can I offer you a currant bun?"
    Elizabeth glanced at the clock above his head. The hands pointed at twenty to ten, but she refrained from pointing out that George was a trifle early to be enjoying elevenses. "No