Read Online Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Amanda Quick
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it.”
“Surely you do not believe that Zachary Elland has come back from the grave to resume his career?”
“No, of course not. I myself found Elland’s body, and I saw him buried. But this new killer sent a ring such as this to Aspasia, and I am quite certain that he intended for me to find this 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.”
Chapter 6
Downstairs they found Beaumont waiting for them in the library together with his butler, Drum, and a nervous little man who was introduced as Dr. 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
“Surely you do not believe that Zachary Elland has come back from the grave to resume his career?”
“No, of course not. I myself found Elland’s body, and I saw him buried. But this new killer sent a ring such as this to Aspasia, and I am quite certain that he intended for me to find this 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.”
Chapter 6
Downstairs they found Beaumont waiting for them in the library together with his butler, Drum, and a nervous little man who was introduced as Dr. 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
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