A Spiffing Murder: A Delightfully British Cosy Mystery (Rex and the Dowager Book 2) by Finney Keith

Author:Finney, Keith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vinci Books
Published: 2024-11-19T00:00:00+00:00

A scene of opulence unfolded before us. The orangery was a marvel of glass and ironwork, bathed in the warm afternoon light. My eyes became drawn to the imposing figure of the Baron, standing tall among the grapevines and tropical fruit trees. He cut a commanding figure, his silver hair gleaming in the dappled sunlight, his posture rigid.

To his left, the Baroness sat in a wicker chair. The intricate pattern of the cushion covers seemed to dance in the shifting light, creating an illusion of movement that was almost hypnotic.

HG strode into the room with her characteristic confidence, her presence immediately commanding attention. The Baroness rose to greet her, a warm smile spreading across her face.

‘Your Grace, so good of you to accept our invitation at such short notice,’ she said, her voice rich with genuine pleasure.

The Baron remained still, his eyes following HG’s movement. As her gaze fell upon him, he bowed deeply, a gesture HG acknowledged with a slight nod.

I entered the room next, acutely aware of Whipple’s nervous presence behind me. The poor chap seemed to use me as cover, his discomfort palpable in this unfamiliar setting.

The Baroness’s eyes widened as she spotted us. ‘Oh…I see you have brought your people with you!’ she exclaimed, her tone a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

HG swept in to give the Baroness a kiss on each cheek, then offered her hand to the Baron, causing the man to bow once again and make as if to kiss her gloved hand.

‘Delighted to accept your kind invitation, Ada, although I must correct you on one point,’ HG said in good grace. ‘My companions are not, as you suggest, “My people.” Young Rex is my Ward, and the refined gentleman, no lesser figure than the famous “Whipple of the Yard”. He attends to catch the evil reprobate that murdered Sir Herbert Cummings’ chief accountant.’

I observed Whipple straightening his back and puffing his chest out a little. Although his facial features could not hide a measure of discomfiture at HG’s fulsome effusion.

‘So, you are the famous detective one hears so much about?’ said the Baroness in an inquisitive tone.

She then turned to me.

‘And Rex. I wasn’t aware Her Grace had a Ward. You are most welcome.’

That turned out to be the limit of the Baroness’ enquiry into either Whipple’s, or my reason for attending. Neither did she offer us a chair, so there we stood like bookends. As for the Baron, he merely stared at us from time to time. On each occasion, scanning his quarry from head to toe without making a comment, save for a low sort of grunt.

HG and Ada settled into their seats, their conversation pivoting to recent events.

‘Such dreadful business at Hilltop,’ Ada tutted, shaking her head. ‘And now poor Billington attacked in his own home. Whatever is the country coming to?’

HG nodded solemnly. ‘Indeed, troubling times.’

‘England is going to the dogs, I tell you,’ Ada continued, her voice rising with indignation. ‘It’s all these new fads coming over from America.

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