Murder With Manners (Sylvia Shipman Murder Mysteries Book 4) by Blythe Baker

Author:Blythe Baker [Baker, Blythe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

8

I didn’t know how to answer her, not exactly. Did Rosaline think I sought out these sorts of affairs, that I enjoyed snooping into mysterious deaths, and that I wanted to be close to dangerous murderers?

“What I want is to help people find justice,” I said. “To discover the truth.”

Rosaline smirked. “What a noble endeavor,” she said dryly. “Your father must be so proud.”

Her eyes brightened at something over my shoulder.

“Well, isn’t this a surprise?” she asked.

Before I had the chance to ask who it was she had become so excited over, she softened her expression. “Mr. Newton Opal, I had hoped for the chance to speak with you.”

Mr. Opal? I wondered in a sudden panic. I turned to see a man much younger than I had expected to see, and realized quickly that it was not the girl’s father, but was instead her brother.

Which means –

“Miss Rosaline,” he said, inclining his head in a polite bow. “How kind of you to come.”

“We do offer our humblest condolences to you and your family,” Rosaline said, and from her tone, I actually believed her. “What a tragedy.”

“Yes, well…” he said, clearly trying to offer as kind a smile as he could muster. Given the circumstances, it amazed me that he could force anything apart from the stony grimace of one who was under a cloud of grief.

He was an attractive man, with hair like sand and eyes like the sea. His high cheekbones suited him, along with his narrow nose and broad forehead.

“Well, perhaps there could be a silver lining to your day,” Rosaline said, and turned her gaze upon me.

My eyes widened, and I shook my head so subtly I doubted that Mr. Opal would have noticed. Rosaline, this is not the time –

“If I recall, you and my cousin, Miss Shipman, were meant to be introduced a few days ago,” Rosaline said. “Might I introduce you myself now, then?”

“Oh…” Mr. Opal said, his face flushing. “I do remember that, yes.”

I didn’t even know what to say to her, so a quick glare would have to suffice.

She smiled at me, her eyes flashing. “I realize the timing is less than ideal, but how could I spare you both the pleasure of meeting one another? Despite the circumstances.”

Mr. Opal looked at me, a spark of a smile stretching across his face.

“I shall leave you both to it, then,” Rosaline said with a delicate wave. “Ta-ta.”

She turned and headed back for Michael, who looked utterly astonished. Penelope seemed to have convinced him to keep his distance, though, because she must have thought it best to let things play out as they were.

How I wished they wouldn’t.

“I…I feel as if I must apologize to you, Miss Shipman, for my absence at Mrs. Newman’s party,” he said. “I had indeed been planning to come and meet you, after speaking at length with your aunt who could speak only the highest praises of you. I am sorry that I was not in attendance.”

“Mr. Opal, you have nothing to apologize for, nothing at all,” I said.

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