Murder Midst The Diamonds: A Dodo Dorchester Mystery by Ann Sutton

Author:Ann Sutton [Sutton, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Poppy Publishing
Published: 2024-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

A Book Launch

Dodo found her mother and sister sitting around the table in the drawing room of Beresford House. They both looked up and the resemblance was uncanny.

“Mummy, remember we were talking about the author, Miles Hamilton?”

Lady Guinevere frowned. “Were we?” Her mother had decided to redo the landscaping around the folly for the upcoming engagement party and was elbow deep in landscaping plans with Didi.

Her sister lifted her chin. “That writer we saw at Max’s whose latest book was banned?”

“Dodo took you to Max’s?” Lady Guinevere pretended to pout. “How did I miss out on the invitation.”

“I’ll be sure to take you next time, Mummy. Now, back to Miles Hamilton. You don’t happen to know an event he might be attending in the next few days.”

“Sorry, I don’t.”

Dodo’s hopes took a dive. Her mother’s knowledge of the social calendar was comprehensive.

“But he’s at Royles for a book signing tonight.” Her mother offered a wry smile.

“Mummy!” Dodo’s expression soured.

“I do love to tease,” said her mother without the slightest hint of apology.

Royles, London’s largest bookstore, was an institution, known locally as the cathedral to literature; four floors of wall-to-wall books.

“I thought he’d been banned,” said Didi.

Lady Guinevere pushed one of the designs out of the way. “The people who run Royles are no dummies. Think about it. If everyone else is banning the book, it will drive customers to the only store that carries it.”

Lady Guinevere was content to let society in general perceive her as shallow, only interested in the social set and her home, but underneath that veneer was a shrewd, intelligent woman whom many people underestimated.

“Rats!” exclaimed Dodo. “I’ve only just got back from town this minute. Now I’ll have to turn around and go back.”

“I’ll come with you,” said Didi. “Charlie has some men-only thing at the college tonight which is why I’m here. Do I look alright for a book signing?”

Though Didi was no clotheshorse like her sister, she favored classic lines that always showed off her figure to perfection.

Dodo laughed. “I shall do my best not to be ashamed of you.”

“Lovely! Do you want to come, Mummy? That’s alright, isn’t it, Dodo?”

As a rule, Lady Guinevere avoided murder and talk of it at all costs. She liked to ignore the reality of Dodo’s little hobby.

Lady Guinevere quirked a brow. “Is this about that jeweler?”

“You know about that?”

“Darling, I don’t live under a rock, you know. Someone that important to the upper classes is mentioned in all the best publications. Remember, I am—was a regular customer.” As her mother held up the emerald pendant hanging around her neck, Dodo remembered what Brenda had told her. “This is a Crisp and Crown original.” She let the pendant drop. “But if you’re going to ask all sorts of sordid questions then I think I’ll stay at home.”

Dodo considered. Her mother’s skills lay in fraternizing and she often proved to be a great facilitator in social settings. She could be useful.

“I really just want to get a sit down with Hamilton.

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