Read Online Up from the Grave by Marilyn Leach - Free Book Online Page B

doing just fine, thank you.”
    “Oh, I’m sure you are. No, I’m just saying that the couples who have completed the course found the information extremely valuable, a good footing.”
    “Robin and Charles are aware that a meeting with you, Vicar, is a prerequisite and are happy to oblige.” Mrs. Preswood looked directly at her niece’s future husband. “Aren’t you, Charles?”
    The groom-to-be simply lifted his chin.
    “Well then.” Hugh was warm but subdued.
    “Yes. Well,” Berdie added. Judging by the snapshot of the family dynamics so far this evening, she could clearly see the young couple needing every available advice to ward off shipwreck on those waters of marriage.
    “And you’ll be in charge of our music,” Mrs. Preswood directed towards Lillie.
    “How exciting.” Lillie lit up. “It’s all a very pleasant surprise. Oh, I do love weddings.”
    “Robin’s over the moon,” Rosalie piped and stepped next to Charles. “And I’m excited about having Charles as a brother-in-law.”
    Mrs. Preswood moved to the center of the group. “I had hoped to announce this properly with an appropriate toast at our special dinner. But it seems to have now gone by the wayside.”
    “A quick toast with the meal will do nicely, I should think,” Charles presented as a peace offering on his fiancée’s behalf.
    Flora Preswood wasn’t responsive.
    “It’s a happy occasion.” Rosalie all but danced. “Let’s enjoy it.”
    The gentleman in black reappeared. “Is there a delay for dinner, madam?” echoed across the great hall.
    The disappointed Mrs. Preswood gathered herself. “No.” She straightened her shoulders and resolutely led the party to the dining room of Bampkingswith Hall.
    Once the aloof Randal Preswood arrived, the meal was served.
    Hugh gave a blessing to which the Preswoods obliged. Colonel Preswood offered Hugh a stock tip, and apart from that, the meal was bereft of any truly stimulating conversation. Or any real discussion about the nuptials for that matter. It was a bit like the creamed cauliflower soup served as the first course: under-cooked and without true color.
    Robin didn’t even come to the dinner table until the dessert was served. And when the bride-to-be did arrive, her face was wan, and she clung to Charles like a climbing rose on a garden wall.
    Berdie perceived a fat little elephant sitting squarely in the middle of the dining table but could not make out its composition or just exactly why it was there. This family, which worked at presenting themselves well, seemed to be trying too hard to do so.
    The departure from this meal and Bampkingswith Hall came none too soon. Within twenty minutes of the last bite of strawberry mousse, Berdie, Hugh, and Lillie were out the door. Apart from the pleasant Rosalie, it had started with a foot cramp and went downhill from there.
    As Hugh stood in the doorway finishing cordial conversation with the Preswoods, Berdie and Lillie were several yards down the drive waiting by the car.
    “Did Robin Preswood seem more than odd to you this evening?”
    “I think the bride should enter to the ‘Trumpet Voluntary.’” Lillie nearly waltzed as she spoke. “What? Odd? Yes, well, my experience has been that brides do get testy when planning their big day.”
    “True,” Berdie agreed, “but…No, there’s something else going on there.”
    “Perhaps Dr. Avery could do a solo, yes, ‘Come Down, O Love Divine.’”
    “Lillie! Will you listen, please? There’s a great deal of something else that surrounds the whole goings-on in that house, and it doesn’t smell right.”
    “Indeed? A bit like the odiferous cauliflower soup.” Lillie scrunched her nose.
    “Well, something’s off. I hear the trumpeting of a large grey creature.”
    “You and your elephants.” Lillie became more intrigued. “What sort of trumpeting?”
    “Yes, if only I could put my finger on it.”
    “Knowing you as I do, my dear friend, you’ll not put your