In Shrouded Shadows: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Mystery (Midlife Mysteries Book 3) by H.P. Mallory

Author:H.P. Mallory [Mallory, H.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN:

PHILIPPA

With Grant at my side, I welcomed the first of my illustrious guests.

One by one, I greeted each guest personally, while pondering who among them might be the person or persons responsible for the Poison Pen Letters. Now, of course, I knew that person couldn’t be Joseph Ashmore. And it made no sense for the perpetrator to be Lord Abbott, because if his story were to be believed, he’d been involved in a secret, love relationship with Caroline—with emphasis on the word ‘secret’.

What I found most interesting though, was the topic on most people’s minds. Instead of the Poison Pen Letters, I was asked more than once whether Grant was courting me. Apparently, rumors had been circulating throughout London’s high society, suggesting that Grant and I were more than just acquaintances. I supposed I shouldn’t have been surprised, considering we’d been working together extremely closely regarding this case.

Even so, I couldn’t say I was at all comfortable with such gossip as it was not only unfounded, but also disrespectful to the memory of my dear Patrick. Thus, whenever someone had the effrontery to question me directly, I denied the allegations and gracefully changed the subject. I could only hope Grant would follow suit if anyone were brazen enough to ask him to clarify our association.

Very soon, the ballroom was engaged in the spectacle of swirling silk gowns in all the colors of the rainbow. The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air as guests mingled, their animated exclamations blending into a symphony of mirth.

I was surprised when Joseph appeared since the truth about Caroline was so newly known to him. But that knowledge had clearly failed to dissuade his love for his wife and knowing the ball was in honor of her memory, he’d chosen to attend. I was very proud of him for doing so. I made myself available to remain by his side until he found himself ensconced in a game of cards in one of the adjoining rooms. Only then did I return to my duties as hostess.

Grant and I certainly had not forgotten the reason for the gala and thus began weaving a web of intricate tales, each tailored to suit the delicate ears of London’s elite. As I’d instructed them, my staff were eagerly spreading their own various falsehoods among the guests as well. Fairly soon, I overheard snippets of conversation that pleased me no end.

“—you know, Mrs. Endicott, the quiet removal of a disgraced duke is more to everyone’s liking.”

“—was it steam-powered farming equipment or mining equipment with which he made his fortune? Ah, now I can’t seem to recall.”

“—yes, the Gladstone family faced sudden financial ruin, which is why they had to move abroad.”

“And did you know Mr. Thompson was an excessive gambler? Nor did I!”

“—quite so—the son was charged with fraud!”

Of course, we’d been careful to make note of which lies were told and to whom, and I’d previously determined the members of the inner cliques within the London

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