Read Online Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Amanda Quick
Tags: Fiction, General, Suspense, Romance, Historical, Contemporary, Reference, Regency, England, Regency Fiction, Romantic Suspense Fiction, Weddings, March; Tobias (Fictitious character), Country homes, Lake; Lavinia (Fictitious character)
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one
tonight."
An old acquaintance announcing that he is back in town?"
So it would seem. The discovery of the ring on her doorstep this
morning threw Aspasia into a panic. That is why she followed us
here."
Hmm."
Tobias frowned. What is it?"
I must tell you, sir, that Aspasia did not appear to be in a panic
tonight."
His mouth twisted wryly. She is hardly the type to succumb to a
fit of the vapors. But I know her better than you do, and you may
believe me when I tell you that her nerves were in a very rattled
state tonight."
If you say so. Personally, I believe that she is attempting to use
guilt as a means of manipulating you."
She has no need to go to such lengths to acquire my assistance in
this matter, and I'm certain she is well aware of that." Tobias pocketed the ring. No one wants to find this new Memento-Mori Man
more than I do. He has thrown down the gauntlet and there is no
time to waste."
You must allow me to help you, Tobias."
I do not want you anywhere near this case."
You have said it is imperative that you resolve this matter as
soon as possible. You need all the assistance you can obtain.
Furthermore, it is not as though I am an amateur at this sort of
thing."
Bloody hell, Lavinia"
She raised her hand to silence him. I would remind you that I
am the only witness you have at the moment. Granted, I cannot
give you a good description of the maid who accompanied
Fullerton up here tonight, but I noticed some details that may be
helpful." Out of the corner of her eye she glimpsed a bit of white
cloth in the deep shadow of a chimney. Well, well, what have we
here?"
She took the candle from his hand and hurried toward the chimney.
Tobias took his foot down off the stone wall and followed her
across the roof. What is it?"
I'm not sure. But if it is what I believe it to be, we have our first
clue." She bent down and scooped up the object. Her cap."
Are you certain?" Tobias took the large, floppy cap from her hand
and examined it carefully by the light of the candle. It looks like any
other woman's cap to me."
Not quite. It has an unusually large brim and a ribbon. That is
most certainly the one the blond maid was wearing. I would not be
surprised to find a few blond hairs inside when we take a closer look
in a strong light. Tobias, this proves that the new killer is a woman."
Tobias studied the cap for a long moment. Or a man who wore
women's clothes to disguise himself."
Six
Downstairs they found Beaumont waiting for them in the library
together with his butler, Drum, and a nervous little man who was
introduced as Doctor Hughes.
Beaumont appeared even shorter and rounder seated behind his
vast desk. Tobias noticed that he had a glass in one hand. Half of the
contents had already been consumed.
The spirits had clearly had a medicinal effect upon his nerves. He
no longer seemed anxious or uncertain. His lordship was once more
firmly in command of his household.
In response to Lavinia's inquiry, Drum informed them that no one
employed on the regular household staff matched her description of
the blond maid.
Lavinia brandished the cap. What of this, may I ask?" They all
stared at the cap.
I do not doubt that you did, indeed, see Fullerton with a woman,"
Beaumont said to Lavinia. One of the village girls, perhaps. In any
event, it is obvious that Fullerton had too much to drink, went in
search of a willing wench, and found his way to the roof for a bit of
dalliance. What happened next was an extremely unfortunate accident." He glowered at the doctor. Is that not correct, Doctor Hughes?"
Indeed." Hughes cleared his throat and made an attempt to sit a
little taller in his chair. I have examined the body," he announced
gravely. There is no doubt in my mind that Fullerton was the victim
of an accident."
Tobias swore silently to himself. It was clear that Beaumont had
decided to
tonight."
An old acquaintance announcing that he is back in town?"
So it would seem. The discovery of the ring on her doorstep this
morning threw Aspasia into a panic. That is why she followed us
here."
Hmm."
Tobias frowned. What is it?"
I must tell you, sir, that Aspasia did not appear to be in a panic
tonight."
His mouth twisted wryly. She is hardly the type to succumb to a
fit of the vapors. But I know her better than you do, and you may
believe me when I tell you that her nerves were in a very rattled
state tonight."
If you say so. Personally, I believe that she is attempting to use
guilt as a means of manipulating you."
She has no need to go to such lengths to acquire my assistance in
this matter, and I'm certain she is well aware of that." Tobias pocketed the ring. No one wants to find this new Memento-Mori Man
more than I do. He has thrown down the gauntlet and there is no
time to waste."
You must allow me to help you, Tobias."
I do not want you anywhere near this case."
You have said it is imperative that you resolve this matter as
soon as possible. You need all the assistance you can obtain.
Furthermore, it is not as though I am an amateur at this sort of
thing."
Bloody hell, Lavinia"
She raised her hand to silence him. I would remind you that I
am the only witness you have at the moment. Granted, I cannot
give you a good description of the maid who accompanied
Fullerton up here tonight, but I noticed some details that may be
helpful." Out of the corner of her eye she glimpsed a bit of white
cloth in the deep shadow of a chimney. Well, well, what have we
here?"
She took the candle from his hand and hurried toward the chimney.
Tobias took his foot down off the stone wall and followed her
across the roof. What is it?"
I'm not sure. But if it is what I believe it to be, we have our first
clue." She bent down and scooped up the object. Her cap."
Are you certain?" Tobias took the large, floppy cap from her hand
and examined it carefully by the light of the candle. It looks like any
other woman's cap to me."
Not quite. It has an unusually large brim and a ribbon. That is
most certainly the one the blond maid was wearing. I would not be
surprised to find a few blond hairs inside when we take a closer look
in a strong light. Tobias, this proves that the new killer is a woman."
Tobias studied the cap for a long moment. Or a man who wore
women's clothes to disguise himself."
Six
Downstairs they found Beaumont waiting for them in the library
together with his butler, Drum, and a nervous little man who was
introduced as Doctor Hughes.
Beaumont appeared even shorter and rounder seated behind his
vast desk. Tobias noticed that he had a glass in one hand. Half of the
contents had already been consumed.
The spirits had clearly had a medicinal effect upon his nerves. He
no longer seemed anxious or uncertain. His lordship was once more
firmly in command of his household.
In response to Lavinia's inquiry, Drum informed them that no one
employed on the regular household staff matched her description of
the blond maid.
Lavinia brandished the cap. What of this, may I ask?" They all
stared at the cap.
I do not doubt that you did, indeed, see Fullerton with a woman,"
Beaumont said to Lavinia. One of the village girls, perhaps. In any
event, it is obvious that Fullerton had too much to drink, went in
search of a willing wench, and found his way to the roof for a bit of
dalliance. What happened next was an extremely unfortunate accident." He glowered at the doctor. Is that not correct, Doctor Hughes?"
Indeed." Hughes cleared his throat and made an attempt to sit a
little taller in his chair. I have examined the body," he announced
gravely. There is no doubt in my mind that Fullerton was the victim
of an accident."
Tobias swore silently to himself. It was clear that Beaumont had
decided to
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