A Zestful Little Murder by Beth Byers

Author:Beth Byers [Byers, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-29T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

“I don’t want to,” Lila said. She had retrieved the baby from the nanny, and she was holding little Lily in front of her as though Vi and Rita were attacking her rather than asking her to walk to the fête below with them.

“Lila,” Rita whined. “Rally round.”

“No,” Lila said. “There are grandmotherly types out there. They’ll give unwarranted advice about babies. I’ve only been a mother for a few weeks and it’s overwhelming.”

“We’ll protect you,” Rita said. “Leave Lily. No one knows you well enough to realize you’ve a baby anyway.”

“Then they’ll just think I’m fat. Or worse”—Lila’s expression turned horrified--“still expecting.”

Rita groaned and turned to leave as Vi said, “Lavinia was Brantley’s lover. He’s here to ruin her relationship with Mr. Russell.”

“What now?” Lila demanded.

“There will probably be a ruckus. Something to tell tales over.”

Lila’s gaze turned avaricious.

“Also, Delilah Brantley is an heiress. The elder Brantley is controlling her funds and keeps her restricted. And wants her to marry one of his sons, the boys Rita cast off for Ham.”

Lila rose. “I’m keeping Lily. I am not fat.”

“You are vain,” Rita snapped. “No one cares what size you are.”

“I do,” Lila said. “I love my clothes.”

“You won’t come for me, but you’ll come to see my father’s heart broken?”

Lila nodded without equivocation. “A ruckus between a jilted lover and the new, rich lover? It’s operatic. And with the addition of wayward heiresses? Letting opportunities slide like this would be criminal.”

Violet shook her head and slid Lily into her own arms. The baby had transitioned from wrinkly and red to an actual angel. Her wisps of blonde hair, her bright eyes, her rosebud mouth. She was perfect.

“You could have one of those,” Lila told Vi.

“I have one,” Vi said, holding the baby closer. “Three, with this angel, and another on the way.”

“One of your own,” Lila said, running her hands over her dress. She frowned fiercely, pinched her cheeks meanly, and then applied a red lipstick. “Nothing to be done for it.”

“You know you’re beautiful,” Vi said without sympathy. “Hurry. We’ll miss the arrival if we don’t find a good spot to watch.”

“Front row seats, so to speak,” Lila said. “Like at a play.”

“We’re box seats creatures,” Vi told Lila. Rita shot them both dark looks, but neither of them cared. They were callous, but they’d fight for Rita, her father, and now his lover. It would have to be enough.

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