Mayhem In The Mudroom (A Moorecliff Manor Cat Cozy Mystery Book 5) by Leighann Dobbs

Author:Leighann Dobbs [Dobbs, Leighann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-25T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

An engagement ring! Araminta hadn’t thought of that. In fact, such an idea had been farthest from her mind. If Ivan had proposed, Jacob would know. Wouldn’t he? Surely, Ivan would have mentioned it. “Stephanie, are you telling us Ivan has proposed marriage?”

Stephanie quickly shook her head. “Oh, no. Not yet. I mean—”

Daisy was frowning, motioning with her hand for the staff to give them privacy. She waited until the door closed behind Harold then said, “I don’t understand, Stephanie, dear. If Ivan hasn’t broached the matter of a proposal to you, how would you know anything about his purchase of an engagement ring from Mr. Belamie?”

A miserable groan escaped Stephanie just before she sat down in a chair near her stepmother. “I’ve made an utter hash of this, haven’t I?”

“Out with it, Steph,” Reggie insisted, though he rested a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Unless you want us to start thinking you’re covering up something for your precious police investigator.”

“I’d never do that!” Stephanie blurted, aghast.

“Then you should tell us what you know and how you came by the information. Quickly, if you please,” Reggie told her.

Araminta nodded in agreement.

“I-I saw his name on a jeweler’s receipt in Stella’s room,” she said, her expression one of shamed misery. “Yesterday, when I walked up with Stella, Codger dashed in there. Sasha and Arun, too, of course. But Codger, he was sitting on a desk on top of what I thought could be important papers, and when I lifted him up to bring him out, I saw it.”

Araminta struggle to fit Stephanie’s revelation with everything else. How could Ivan’s purchase of a ring have anything to do with Bertie?

“But when did he buy this ring? Did he meet with Bertie yesterday?” Araminta asked. If he had, then why had he not said anything?

Stephanie thought for a minute then shook her head. “He must have bought it before then. I met him at the door, Aunt Minta. We came straight to the dining room, where we joined the rest of you. There was no time for him to have met Bertie in the mudroom. I should have checked the date on the receipt.”

“Shouldn’t he be asking me for your hand? I mean with Dad gone, I guess I am the man of the family,” Reggie teased.

Something in his tone seemed to make Stephanie bristle. “Well, how could he when you’re traveling about the world all the time?”

Reggie laughed. “Don’t go getting your dander up, sis. I’m not about to start playing overprotective brother at this late date. Your Ivan is safe from me.”

“But not from me,” Daisy said, an edge of seriousness gilding her usually soothing tone. “If that boy has intentions, Stephanie, I’d like to think he would come to me—out of respect for Archie, of course.”

Stephanie’s brow wrinkled. “I don’t know what to say, Daisy. I’m almost sorry I saw the receipt now. Please… don’t mention any of this to Ivan. I don’t want him to think I go around snooping…”

Reggie’s laughter spilled into the room.

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