Read Online Murder At Wittenham Park by R. W. Heber - Free Book Online Page A

Eton, like gravity or the way peas fall off one’s fork. A professional tour leader’s life must be absolute hell!
    Before anyone else could stray, he and Dee Dee ushered all the guests into the vehicles and so back to the house. The serious business of the weekend was about to begin. Ted waved before taking his Land Rover again and Loredana blew him a kiss. “Such a darling man,” she said, causing Hamish to look at her askance. He expected her to be faithful in her infidelity. Dulcie noticed the blown kiss and her husband’s expression, interpreted it correctly and quite suddenly decided that tonight would be the night. If Hamish took a trip down the corridor later on, it was going to be on a one-way ticket.
    â€œLadies and gentlemen,” Gilroy announced when they were all in the hall, “drinks will be served in the library at six-thirty, that’s in half an hour, and we’ll be handing out the first clues. From then on it’s murder time.”
    Mrs. Worthington clapped, to Gilroy’s consternation, and the others followed suit faint-heartedly. She had spent an industrious hour with Dodgson, working out how the notional poison would be planted. After that she had taken on board a little fortification, in the shape of the gin from her suitcase. She was now all set for her role as animator-in-chief.
    â€œDarlings,” she announced, “I don’t know about all of you, but I can’t wait for the first clue.”
    â€œSpeak for yerself,” Welch was heard to mutter, before Dee Dee firmly chivvied them all upstairs to change, Mrs. Worthington included.
    â€œAm I dreaming,” she asked Gilroy, “or has that woman been at the bottle?”
    â€œSounded a bit like it,” Gilroy agreed gloomily. “Have to tell Dodgson to keep the drinks locked up.”
    â€œWhich you cannot do, honey. This is an all-inclusive weekend, remember? Right through from the beer to the brandy. When are you seeing Welch?”
    â€œAfter dinner.”
    â€œWell, for God’s sake, don’t sign anything.” Dee Dee was tempted to insist on being present, but that would be too demeaning for her husband. “Now, I am about to transform myself into Mrs. Louise Sketchley. And don’t you dare applaud when I come down.”
    Half an hour later, rather too punctually, Jim and Jemma Savage descended the great stairway. Jemma paused to fondle one of the carved unicorns at the bottom. “It is rather splendid, isn’t it, Daddy. Think of the work this must have taken.”
    As they stood there, the muffled sounds of an altercation came from somewhere close by.
    â€œOfficially it’s murder time,” Jemma whispered. “We’d better listen.”
    The voices were easily traceable to an oak door off the hall, leading to the room that was Lord Gilroy’s office, though neither of them knew this. It sounded as though two men were arguing, but not loudly enough for the words to be distinguishable. Then suddenly one bellowed sentence came through distinctly.
    â€œYou bloody well will! Or else!”
    There was a brief silence. Then a third, less belligerent, voice added, “You haven’t any option.”
    The reply was inaudible. It also sounded as though the threat might have ended the conversation. Jim and Jemma backed away from the door in case it was opened.
    â€œThat was Mr. George Welch shouting,” Jim remarked. “No question about it. God, he’s a thug.”
    â€œIt did sound terribly real,” Jemma commented. “I mean, not like acting at all. But who were the others?”
    â€œNo idea. Better make it the first of my detective’s observations.” Jokingly her father pulled out a small red spiral-bound notebook and recorded the time, 6:31 P.M ., and the words. Then they went through into the library, where the butler was on duty with a drinks tray.
    They were the first arrivals. Dee Dee greeted them,