A Sinister Service by Alyssa Maxwell

Author:Alyssa Maxwell [Maxwell, Alyssa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2020-10-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Phoebe and Amelia arrived at Crown Lily at half past nine the next morning. They had decided Eva would go later, to preserve the illusion that she was sneaking away from Lyndale Park when her employers wouldn’t be needing her. Since they hadn’t called ahead first, no one met them as they drove into the enclosure. However, upon seeing them enter the building, Mr. Tremaine’s secretary jumped up from his seat and ran to inform his superior.

“Lady Phoebe, Lady Amelia.” Mr. Tremaine hurried out of his office; he looked flushed and worried. “Is there a problem with the order? Something you’d like to change before production begins?”

“No, nothing like that.” Phoebe began unbuttoning her coat, and Amelia did likewise. “Actually, we’d like to place another order.”

“Another order?” His demeanor instantly changed to one of delight. “How splendid! Please come into my office and we’ll discuss it.” To his secretary he said, “Tea and cake, Jessup, in my office.”

“Right away, sir.”

Mr. Tremaine gestured for them to precede him into the room, but then he moved past them to reposition the chairs facing his own across the desk just so. Next he helped each off with her coat. “Now then, tell me what it is you’d like.”

“A child’s tea set,” Amelia said eagerly. “Can you do something like that for us? It’s a secret, of course. You mustn’t say a word to our sister. It’s for her child.”

“Lovely, lovely,” the man intoned. He started to go on, but Phoebe cut him off.

“I do have one concern, however. The thefts I’ve heard about.”

“The . . . thefts?”

“Yes, Mr. Tremaine. Our footman supped at one of your local pubs the other night and heard about it from several of your employees.”

His eyes sparked. “Which ones?”

“Oh, I really couldn’t say. He didn’t mention names. He said shipments of china were being stolen in transit, and that has me worried. What is our guarantee that our china won’t go awry on its way to us in Gloucestershire?”

“Lady Phoebe, you realize I can’t control what happens once our china leaves the factory.” The man tented his fingers beneath his chin. “However, all of our shipments are fully insured, and then some. At worst there could be a delay while the set is being duplicated, but I promise it would be replaced at no cost to you. Or to Crown Lily, for that matter.”

“We certainly can’t ask for more than that, Phoebe.” Amelia beamed at Mr. Tremaine. “That puts our minds to rest, sir. Thank you.”

“But it has happened, then,” Phoebe pressed.

“A few isolated incidents,” he replied. “Nothing more.”

“And you’ve no idea how it’s done or who is doing the stealing? A warehouse worker? Perhaps one of your clay mixers?” Phoebe suggested, thinking about Gus Abbott.

“A clay mixer? I can’t imagine. But rest assured I’ve got my eyes and ears open. Should I find out anyone here at Crown Lily is involved, the police will know about it immediately.”

Phoebe nodded, doing her best to assume a thoughtful look.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.