Farewell Blues by Maggie Robinson

Author:Maggie Robinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2021-06-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Addie walked him to the door. It was late, and she was tired, too, and couldn’t wait to remove her spangled shoes. The days since Sunday had been one long, blurry nightmare, but sleep—when it came—was still unhelpful.

They were in the midst of saying goodnight in the hallway when the doorbell rang, causing her to jump a foot. “Who on earth…?”

Mr. Hunter stayed her hand, and she ignored the pleasant tingling sensation. “Let me open the door. It could be Lombard, or some other miscreant.”

Addie didn’t argue. It was rather nice to be able to stand behind a tall, strong man. Why hadn’t the night porter Daniel rung?

“You should have a peephole on the door, you know,” Mr. Hunter said. Until this business with Mama, Addie had never given her safety and privacy much of a thought. Beckett was perfectly capable of getting rid of any unwanted guest that might have slipped past the porters. But now?

The detective eased the door open a crack, then swung it wide. Standing in the hall were the current Marquess and Marchioness of Vere, clutching hands and looking like a pair of guilty children skipping school. Stephen was still in evening clothes, but Roberta had removed her lashes and glittery costume. She now wore a smart houndstooth check suit, a jaunty beret, and sensible lace-up Oxfords. She could have been coming home from an office job instead of the most glamorous private venue in London after the Embassy Club.

“Oh!” Addie said, which was most inadequate.

“May we come in, Lady Adelaide?” Stephen Moreton asked, his voice rather reedy.

“Of course, please do.” She led the way to the drawing room, Mr. Hunter taking up the rear. “Make yourselves comfortable. May I get you anything? It will be no trouble at all to brew a fresh pot of tea and fix some sandwiches.” A few biscuits Mr. Hunter had somehow overlooked remained on an Imari plate, and she was prepared to rummage for more.

“I’ll take a whiskey if you have it,” Stephen said, adding another layer to the surprise.

The mirrored drinks cart in the corner was well-stocked as usual, even if Addie rarely partook. “Inspector, will you do the honors?”

Roberta stiffened on the sofa. “Inspector? Are you the police?”

“I am, Lady Vere.” Addie noted he called her by her title, which was the respectful thing to do. “I’m Devenand Hunter from Scotland Yard. As you know, Lady Adelaide and I were at the Southern Belle tonight for your show. The mistress of ceremonies was not wrong—you and your sister sing like the angels.” More respect, if not downright flattery. He poured several fingers of whiskey in a cut-glass tumbler and delivered it to the marquess.

“Cheers,” the young man said, and drank it in one go. Both his wife and Addie shuddered.

“Roberta, would you like a drink?” Addie asked softly.

She shook her head, “Nothing for me. Stevie seems to be drinking for both of us.” She glanced at her husband, then took in the modern glamor of Addie’s flat.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.