An Inescapable Conclusion (The Jane Pemberton Murder Mysteries Book 6) by Blythe Baker

Author:Blythe Baker [Baker, Blythe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

9

“I beg your pardon?”

Felton’s tone held more authority than I might have once thought possible. He did not seem as rattled as the rest of us at Mr. Everly’s bold statement.

Mr. Everly’s gaze sharpened, but his confident smile did not fade. “Upon your father’s death, I am owed the portion of my sister’s inheritance that she was to receive, as she has passed away. It is all written quite clearly in the agreement.”

Felton’s brows bent, his forehead wrinkling at once. “I am not aware of any such agreement,” he said. “Now, I will ask you to kindly leave.”

Mr. Everly’s glare deepened. “I urge you to be wise, young man, for I am not to be trifled with.”

A movement beside me caused me to look around, only to see that Mr. Brookfield had stepped away.

The sound of his voice nearer to Felton drew my attention back around, and I saw him standing beside my cousin, a hand on his shoulder, his face pale. “Mr. Everly,” he said. “Please forgive Mr. Felton. It has been a trying time for him, as one might imagine.”

He gestured to one of the sitting rooms off the ballroom. “Would you care to meet in a more private place? I assure you, it would be far more comfortable for us all there,” he said.

Mr. Everly shifted his gaze in the direction Mr. Brookfield pointed.

Felton murmured something under his breath, which Mr. Brookfield countered by whispering in his ear.

I saw Felton’s eyes bulge, and he quieted down.

“Yes, I suppose that will do just fine,” Mr. Everly said with a smile. He turned his eyes to Arabella.

In one fluid movement, he reached out and took her chin in his hand, moving her head this way and that. “You are quite the pretty one, aren’t you?” he said in an approving tone. “You certainly inherited your mother’s beauty, and then some.”

Stunned into silence, Arabella said nothing.

He then moved on to Celia. He knelt lower, and peered into her face.

Celia met his gaze with equal ferocity, her eyes flashing.

His face split into a grin. “You and I might have been twins,” he said, reaching up to run his fingers through his own hair. “I suppose it is not terribly surprising, is it, that we would all share so many features?”

Celia still said nothing, but watched his every move as if he were to strike her at any moment.

He then looked at me, and his brow furrowed.

“Well, now…” he said. “I see nothing familiar in your face…apart from the eyes. Those are not Everly eyes, though, are they?”

“Pemberton,” Mr. Brookfield said before I could answer. “She is Mr. Pemberton’s niece. And I am…was his private secretary.”

“Were you now?” Mr. Everly asked, his eyes flashing as he quickly turned his attention back to Mr. Brookfield. “Well, then you surely know of the agreement we made?”

“I am familiar with it, yes,” Mr. Brookfield said with reservation.

Felton rounded on him, glaring as if he had somehow betrayed him.

“I shall send for some tea,” Mr. Brookfield said.

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