Heartless by Nicola Claire

Author:Nicola Claire [Claire, Nicola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780473457068
Publisher: Nicola Claire Books
Published: 2018-10-18T16:00:00+00:00

For A Second, I Just Stood There

Inspector Kelly

Mrs Hardwick was in top form this morning, offering tea and scones immediately upon our unannounced arrival. Constable Mackey looked uncertain of his response, but thankfully his sister appeared more adept at social niceties and accepted the offering with an innate sense of calm.

I paced over to the fireplace in the parlour and placed my back to the warmth, surveying the constable and his sibling. They were both fair of skin and hair with startling blue eyes. However, Miss Mackey’s did favour her with inordinately long lashes. A plus for any woman in today’s society.

I noted their clothing. The constable, of course, was in his uniform; cleanly pressed and well presented. His sister was equally as well turned out, but I noticed the wear upon her brocade dress, the slight dulling to areas that would normally shine.

I shifted my gaze away, lest they note my perusal. George Mackey’s was a large family. This sibling being the eldest of his five sisters and three brothers. Times were not easy for those with such responsibilities.

Mrs Hardwick bustled back into the parlour with a tray laden with the promised tea and scones. The scent of bergamot wafted from the teapot and made my stomach rumble. None of those present offered comment. With hands wringing, Hardwick stood back and curtsied. She had every intention of leaving us, despite the fact we had called on the Misses Cassidy and neither were present to entertain us.

“Will Dr Cassidy be joining us?” I enquired before the old woman could make her escape.

“Dr Cassidy is not home, Inspector.”

I was momentarily nonplussed. At this hour of the day, I had expected Anna to be home. Where could she be?

“Will she be returning forthwith?” I asked.

The hand-wringing should have prepared me.

“Dr Cassidy is attending the Auckland Cup, sir,” Hardwick said, her eyes shifting to the side to better avoid me. “She is in Ellerslie.”

Ellerslie? This made little sense.

A niggling thought worried at me.

“Is she accompanied by her cousin?” If so, why hadn’t Hardwick turned us away?

“No, sir. Miss Cassidy is home. In fact,” the housekeeper quickly added, “I should see to my charge. Do please excuse me.” She rushed out of the room as if the hounds of Baskerville were upon her.

I stared at the spot she had just vacated and let out a disgruntled sound.

“Sir?” Mackey enquired carefully. “Were we announced?”

Embarrassment had me answering gruffly.

“We are police officers; we do not require announcement.”

“I don’t know about you, Inspector,” Miss Mackey said, taking a sip of tea from a cup I had not seen her pour. “But I do not make a habit of arriving on a doorstep without invitation.”

“I invited you,” I snapped.

“And you are in a position within this household to do as such?”

The chit had courage; I’d give her that.

“This household,” I said carefully, “is under my protection.”

Miss Mackey nodded her head as if that poor excuse made complete sense.

What was Anna doing at the races?

And was she with who

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