LORD JAMES HARRINGTON AND THE WHITSUN MYSTERY by Florkiewicz Lynn

Author:Florkiewicz, Lynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The brandy provided the warmth he sought and the unease that had crept into his bones slowly dissipated. Donovan stopped work on setting the bar up and approached him, flinging a tea towel over his shoulder.

‘You look a little shaky there, if you don’t mind me saying. Are you feeling all right?’

James assured him he was quite well but wondered if he had a slight cold coming. ‘Just felt a bit chilled, but this brandy is doing the trick.’

‘Don’t be telling everyone I’m pouring drinks. I’m only supposed to be setting up.’

James gave him his empty glass. ‘Mum’s the word old chap. Appreciate your kindness. Ah, here’s Beth.’

He strode toward her and she pressed him for his thoughts. ‘What’s happened? You look dreadful.’

‘Nothing for you to worry about.’

She slapped him on the arm. ‘Don’t patronise me, James, you look as if someone has walked over your grave.’

He steered her to the corner of the WI tent, sat her down in a chair and pulled his own chair closer. After he’d described the unnerving event she became increasingly shocked and couldn’t find the words to react.

Finally, she grabbed his hands. ‘You must tell George about this. If that was Inspector Fulton, they’ll need to start following him or whatever they do. The man is clearly in the Livingstones’ pay, stooping so low as to threaten people. Did you think it was a weapon he had?’

‘I don’t know. Now I’m sitting here thinking about it, I’d say it was unlikely. Whatever he was threatening to do would draw attention to him. He stank of tobacco.’

‘Well, he does smoke like a chimney. If he stank of tobacco, he’s your likely suspect.’ She peered round the opening of the marquee. ‘Theodore is speaking with Paolo.’

James pulled his chair along to see Theodore wag a finger at the young man and walk off. Maximillian joined his father and appeared to be downcast, as if he was in his father’s bad books. Inspector Fulton stood staring at the ice-cream vendor for a short while, then followed.

James reached for Beth’s hand. ‘Come on.’

Although the rally wasn’t starting until the next day, Paolo had taken that opportunity to open up and also spend some time looking at the engines.

James knocked on the frame of the van’s back door. ‘Open for visitors?’

The young man beamed. ‘Lord Harrington, Lady Harrington. I can’t thank you enough for inviting us to be here. I’ve already taken a good look at the engines. Amazing vehicles, aren’t they?’

‘They are indeed,’ said James. ‘You know that we’re opening up the next field so that some of the working farm engines can do some ploughing?’

Paolo couldn’t have been happier. ‘How fantastic. I’ll see if I can bring dad along. I think he’d love to see those old engines doing what they were made for.’

Beth added that it would be lovely to see Papa Rossi at the event. ‘Even if it’s just for a couple of hours. You know that James could arrange for him to be picked up and taken home if he didn’t want to stay for too long.

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