A Killer at the Castle: A 1920s Cozy Mystery by Kelly Mason

Author:Kelly Mason [Mason, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little Orchard Press
Published: 2024-01-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

The door to the Knightstone room opened and Angus Scott entered.

“Is there a problem, my lady?” he asked with a frown upon his face.

“None at all, Mr Scott. Please take tea with me.”

He hesitated.

“I would hate for these delightful treats to go to waste and I feel the need to unburden myself.” I hoped that if I shared a little information with him, he might share a lot with me.

“Thank you, my lady,” he said and approached me.

He took the seat opposite.

I passed him a cup of tea. “It’s nice to take a break. I gather you’re rather busy with Millar’s Hotel having closed.”

“We are. And how have you been burdened, my lady? I hope it was nothing to do with my staff or the service?”

“Absolutely not. Your hotel is excellent.” I sighed. “The Marchioness of Bandberry is far from pleased that her son is in love with my companion. Her attempt at banishment was not well received.”

“Your companion must be a strong young woman. I gather many of those offers are indeed attractive.”

“A strong offer but not as strong as her heart.” I gestured to the plate of biscuits. “Please eat, Mr Scott.” I felt my appetite return and did not wish to eat alone.

“Thank you, my lady.” He picked up a fan-shaped iced biscuit which matched the decoration I had seen on the reception walls. Angus Scott had certainly paid a lot of attention to detail.

I bit into a similar biscuit and found it delicious. Firm yet it melted on my tongue. I paused for a moment as I felt myself relax. I appreciated the way delicious food calmed me, as if someone were embracing me. I regarded Angus Scott, wondering how to bring up the topic of the murder.

I lifted my teacup. “Did your business suffer when Millar’s opened?” I asked before taking a sip.

“Yes. Mr and Mrs Millar were knowledgeable of how we ran things here, of the prices we charged. They set to undercut us and to provide those things they felt were lacking.” He sighed. “Camilla was always suggesting I modernise the place and she had some brilliant ideas. I should have listened to her. She had a vision.” He gestured around the room. “But this hotel preserves history and I wanted to honour that.” He looked at me. “To preserve it as Father wanted it. Do you understand?”

I nodded. “I certainly do. I’m doing the same with Ashcombe Hall.”

Angus looked at the wallpaper in the room. “I’ve moved with the times with some of the decoration, but I will not change the furniture or structure of the building in any way.”

“I take it your father is no longer with you?”

He shook his head. “He passed during the war. He was a great chef and loved French cuisine.”

“I remember,” I said. “He would often leave the kitchen and come into the restaurant to receive compliments from Papa.”

Angus smiled. “He is missed. I’m not sure what he would have made of the modern world.

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