Arsenic at Ascot (A Fiona Figg & Kitty Lane Mystery) by Kelly Oliver

Author:Kelly Oliver [Oliver, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2023-11-27T16:00:00+00:00

15

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

The large dining room was suddenly too hot. I fanned myself with my napkin.

“Hello, Tabitha dear.” Without properly looking at me, Archie leaned over and gave me a peck on the cheek, his familiar citrus scent sending shivers up my spine. “Sorry I’m late.” Her husband! Cringe. Wait. I thought Clifford was posing as my escort. What kind of tart was this Lady Tabitha Kentworthy? I planned to have a chat with Captain Hall when this weekend was over. Blast him anyway. Didn’t the captain trust me? Sending Archie to spy on me again. I sat huffing like an angry bull.

Archie strode around the dining table to the empty seat, looking gorgeous in his evening kit but none too pleased as he glared across the table. My cheeks warmed. Oh, my word. That’s why I have a double room on the couples’ floor. My mouth hanging open, I sat gaping at him. He mimicked my face, and I clamped my teeth hard. Just because he hated me was no reason to be rude. Staring straight down at my plate, I grabbed my wine glass and gulped the claret that had been served with the roast course. No sooner had I drained my glass than a footman was on hand to refill it. He might as well leave the bottle. My grandfather always said, “The answer is not in the bottom of a glass, so don’t bother looking.” But trapped at this table across from my erstwhile, now estranged, fiancé, I didn’t know where else to look.

“Slow down, Tabitha dear.” Archie leaned forward and stage whispered, “Or I’ll have to carry you to bed.” Good grief. Bed. At some point, we’d be expected to share a bedroom. Where did I draw the line of duty with Archie? Time would tell.

Throughout the rest of the dinner, I avoided eye contact with Archie, who seemed to be enjoying my discomfort. When I did glance over at him, he was smirking… when he wasn’t flirting with Lady Sybil’s younger sister, the beautiful, blue-eyed Lady Peggy. Rather than sulk or brood, I was determined to enjoy the rest of the meal.

The roast course was followed by a salad course, a pudding course, and then a cheese course. An eight-course meal in the middle of a war. Lady Sybil assured us that everything was made with war rations and the cooks were wizards. I had my doubts. Fredricks had showed me the fruits of a thriving black market. He had no qualms about trading with thieves and criminals. My suspicions about the source of the marvelous meal didn’t stop me from sampling every course, especially the sweet course, which was an exceptionally light fruit jelly. All in the line of duty, mind you.

After dinner, we retired to the music room for a concert. A friend of Lady Sybil’s was a concert pianist and gave us a wonderful private performance. During a break in the music, Archie took me aside and led me out onto the veranda.

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