Defending the Dead (Relatively Dead Mysteries Book 3) by Sheila Connolly

Author:Sheila Connolly
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3, epub
Tags: mystery, cozy, genealogy, Boston, psychic powers, witch trials, Salem, ghosts, history
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Published: 2015-04-26T23:00:00+00:00

17

“I like that one,” Abby said, pointing to a roll of wallpaper, one of half a dozen lined up along the foot of the wall in the front parlor. Too bad the store wouldn’t give out samples, so each could be spread out to show the overall pattern, but at least they had let her bring home sample rolls, so she could study them where they were going to go, by daylight.

“Okay,” Ned said cautiously.

She cocked her head at him. “Well, that wasn’t exactly a glowing endorsement. What is it you don’t like about it?”

“The pattern looks kind of small and fussy, now that I see it here. It’s a big room.”

Abby studied the roll. “I think you’re right. It looked better in the store. But I like the colors. Okay, now it’s your turn. Which one do you like?”

Ned looked more and more uncomfortable. Almost at random he pointed to another one. “That?”

“Why?” Abby demanded.

“It looks, I don’t know, important. Formal, maybe. This is a formal room, one of those that Victorians used only when the minister was coming to tea or they were hosting a wake. The rest of the time they kept the room closed off—hence the pocket doors. Open them up for light when you use the room, close them to save heat when you don’t.”

“Okay, that makes sense. But the colors are kind of blah. I wish I hadn’t seen the William Morris ones first.”

“Why not go with Morris wallpaper, then, if you like it?”

“Because it’s hideously expensive, no matter how historically correct it is. Like over a hundred dollars per roll, and I’m afraid to calculate how many rolls we would need.” Much less contemplate matching patterns around all those windows and doors.

“But you like it?”

“I do. It’s gorgeous.”

“So order it,” Ned said firmly.

“Ned!” Abby protested. “It seems so extravagant. I mean, with a world full of starving people, how can I justify putting a thousand dollars’ worth of paper on my walls?”

“Send another thousand to the starving people.”

Abby shook her head. She was not used to having money. Of course, she didn’t actually have it—Ned did. Ned had earned it, through his own efforts. He had the right to spend it any way he wanted. He wasn’t into showing off—not that anyone, until his mother, had seen the house, and Abby couldn’t see them ever hosting soirees full of important people—that is, the ones who would recognize and appreciate William Morris wallpaper. But it seemed morally wrong, and being so extravagant made her uncomfortable.

But it was so pretty, and it went so well with the house.

“Abby, what’s the problem?” Ned asked quietly.

“I feel guilty, I guess. I mean, the only people who are going to see it are you and me.”

“So? You like it. It makes you happy. Do you have something against being happy?”

“I don’t think so. Maybe I should practice more.”

“So get the wallpaper you like.”

Abby regarded him for a moment, then said, “All right—for this room only. We’ll find something more affordable for the back parlor and the dining room.

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