Read Online The Mysterious Disappearance of the Reluctant Book Fairy by Elizabeth George - Free Book Online Page B

could to the memorial garden for the cremated citizens of Langley. She gathered what she needed and as she was about to set off in the direction of the old potting shed, headlights made the turn from Al Anderson Road and came through the old brick pillar of the cemetery. Within moments, Annapurna had joined her.
    Annapurna had, during the long night following Monie’s call, figured out what was meant to happen. She wasn’t anyone’s fool, and the list of Monie’s questions had been similar to what she asked people who arrived at Epic! without a clue as to the level of preparation in which they should have engaged prior to making an appointment. So her first comments upon getting out of her car were those of protest. But before she could move from protest, to advise, disagree, or disavow, Monie said, “Really, Janet. It’s the only way. And you are still Janet Shore, aren’t you? Beneath all the trappings of Annapurna? You know you are and … Look, I pretty much think you have to say it. Else … I don’t think I can help you like I want to. I don’t know why but that’s how it is. You have to say it.”
    â€œI’m Janet,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean—”
    â€œGood,” Monie cut in. “Now come on. We don’t have a lot of time. What did you decide?”
    Annapurna was silent for a moment and during that moment, which stretched on and on, Monie Reardon Pillerton began to think that her old friend wasn’t as ready as she ought to have been to put aside Epic! and the life that had been thrust upon her by Mildred Banfry. But at last she took a breath and wrestled a hard bound book from the carpet bag that she was carrying. She said, “It’s a first edition, by the way. Don’t even ask how much it cost.”
    â€œAnd does it fill the bill?”
    â€œIt has it all: England, between the wars, mystery, and romance.”
    â€œWhat about money?”
    â€œSecond son of a duke.”
    Monie considered this. She’d seen the TV production of Pride and Prejudice . She knew Colonel Fitzwilliam’s financial state. “But weren’t second sons always impoverished? Didn’t they all become soldiers?”
    â€œThis one isn’t.”
    â€œIsn’t what? A soldier?”
    â€œIsn’t impoverished.”
    â€œYou’re sure about that?”
    Newly-returned-to-Janet nodded. “He has a servant and he drives a Daimler. That’s a Jaguar. He drinks fine port. And he’s in love with a woman who doesn’t have a penny, so he’s not looking to pick up funds from a wife.”
    â€œOh my God! He’s in love ? Annapurna … Janet, that’s not going to work.”
    â€œThey’re not married. He’s asked her two or three times but she’s said no. Eleven years since they first met and she’s still saying no. She says yes at the end of this one, but see how long the book is? That’ll give me time.”
    Those last words charged their way into Monie’s heart and gave her incalculable joy. “So you’re willing?” she gasped. “Really? Truly? Finally?”
    Janet looked around. “I’m tired,” she said. “This can’t go on. So, yes. I’m willing and it’s time.”
    So Monie Reardon Pillerton led her old friend Janet Shore into the darkened potting shed where she had spent so many blissful hours in days of her youth. Together they spread out the blanket that Monie had brought with her while Janet lit a candle and placed it—as she’d done so long ago—within the protection of a hurricane lamp. She sat, then, and began to leaf through the pages of her book. She was going to have to enter the story early. And she was, obviously, going to have to develop a taste for fine port as soon as she got there.
    Monie waited. She was, it must be said, exceedingly nervous. She wasn’t at all certain this