Read Online Murder in Murray Hill (Gaslight Mystery) by Victoria Thompson - Free Book Online Page B

this has all been a shock to you,” Sarah said, sitting back down on the sofa and gathering an uncertain Brian into her lap. She gave him a reassuring smile, and then he turned to his grandmother and made some signs.
    She handed the glass to Frank, who still hovered over her, and signed back to the boy. “He wants to know what we’re talking about. I’ll have to tell him all of this,” she said to them. “About you getting married and about us moving. I don’t know the right signs yet, though.”
    “Maybe they can help you at the school,” Frank said.
    “Of course they can help me at the school,” she snapped.
    Frank gritted his teeth, reminding himself how difficult this must be for his mother. “I know it’ll be hard for you to leave the old neighborhood.”
    “No, it won’t. I can’t stay here if my son’s a millionaire. Nobody’ll even speak to me unless they want money. You should know that, Francis.”
    He knew that only too well. “They’ll find out pretty soon, too. A reporter from the
Sun
has been snooping around, and it’ll probably be in the newspapers in a day or two.”
    She muttered something incomprehensible and turned back to Sarah. “The boy’ll like having the little girl to play with.”
    Sarah smiled her rich woman’s smile. “I hope he’ll like everything about his new family.”
    “Oh, he already likes you well enough, if that’s what you’re worried about. More women to fuss over him. He’ll be in heaven. Did you say you have a nursemaid for the little girl?”
    “Yes, Maeve. And you won’t really have to take care of Brian anymore either, not really. Maeve is certainly capable of looking after both children, especially with Brian in school. We can even get someone to take him and bring him home, if you like.”
    “Oh, I’ll keep doing that. They need my help at that school. They’re forever telling me they can’t do without me.”
    “I hope you don’t let them take advantage of you,” Sarah said.
    His mother smiled. She
smiled
! Frank could hardly believe his eyes. “It’s me taking advantage of them. We pay them to teach the signs to the boy, but I learn for free.”
    “I hope you can teach them to all of us, too. We’ll all want to be able to talk to Brian.”
    “It won’t be no trouble to teach the young ones. They pick things up so quick.”
    “That’s true,” Frank said. “Catherine already knows some just from playing with Brian a few times.”
    His mother frowned up at him. “Don’t just stand there, Francis. Get Mrs. Brandt some tea. It’s steeping on the stove.”
    Frank didn’t know why she was still annoyed with him. He’d just told her they were millionaires. And sure enough, he found a pot of tea on the stove. He took a few minutes to heat it up a bit while he listened to the two women making plans like they were old friends. What had come over his mother? She’d always hated Sarah Brandt. Or so he’d thought. No, he couldn’t have been mistaken about that. And he would’ve bet a year’s salary she hated the thought of him marrying her. Maybe Sarah could explain it.
    Frank carried a cup of tea out to Sarah just as she was saying, “Why don’t all three of you come over on Saturday so you can get to know Maeve?”
    Sarah gently moved Brian from her lap to the seat beside her and took the cup from Frank. “Thank you.” Her blue eyes twinkled with mischief. She must be loving this, Frank thought.
    “I can’t speak for Francis, but Brian and I will come. Did you only pour one cup of tea? What’s wrong with you, Francis?” She jumped up and bustled off to the kitchen, leaving Frank to shake his head.
    • • •
    W hen they’d covered all the important topics, including Frank and Sarah’s wedding plans (none yet) and Catherine’s attitude toward having a brother (ecstatic), Sarah took her leave. She gave Brian a big hug and a kiss after Mrs. Malloy explained to him that his father had to escort Mrs. Brandt back home.