Murder at Mablethorpe Castle (A Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mystery Book 1) by Elizabeth Rose

Author:Elizabeth Rose [Rose, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Published: 2025-05-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Vivienne spent most of the day in the chamber with Zachariah, questioning people about the murder. Constable Dorson wasn’t happy to have to guard the smokehouse, but when the sheriff told him everything that they’d learned, he agreed it was important to keep anyone away from the corpse. Of course, the man wouldn’t be guarding the smokehouse during the night, but Vivienne’s uncle appointed another guard he considered trustworthy to do the job.

Questioning so many had taken longer than they expected. It was tiring, and also important they write down the facts they’d learned. Therefore, the questioning was stopped for the day and would restart again in the morning. For now, they’d get something to eat. She walked together with the sheriff to the great hall, their conversation light since they didn’t want to discuss the murder in front of others.

“My lady, I have been looking for you,” came Vivienne’s handmaid’s voice from behind her. She stopped and turned around.

“Hello, Rosina. I have been with the sheriff all day questioning people. I’m sorry. I should have sent word to you so you knew where I was.”

Rosina stopped in her tracks. “Hello, Sheriff.”

He nodded. “Lady Vivienne, I’ll talk to you later,” said Zachariah. “I have sent a replacement for Constable Dorson and I want to talk with him over our meal.”

“Aye,” she answered with a nod.

Once he left, Rosina seemed to calm down. “Is there anything I can help you with, my lady?”

“Yes. You can tell me why you seem so nervous around the sheriff.” They walked together to the great hall.

“I’m not sure,” she responded, wringing her hands. “But I have to admit that everyone in the kitchens and all of the handmaids feel as if he is always watching them, like a wolf waiting to pounce on a lamb for its meal.”

That made Vivienne laugh. “Oh, Rosina, you are too funny. Sheriff Fitch isn’t like that at all. He’s actually a very nice man once you get to know him. He just takes his work very seriously..”

“You like him, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do. Why do you even ask?”

“I mean, in a romantic way.”

Vivienne gave her handmaid a scolding glance. “Now, Rosina, it’s not like that and you know it. The sheriff and I are old friends and that is the extent of it. Please don’t be saying things to insinuate it is more than a business relationship or I will be at the center of tomorrow’s gossip. And believe me, I don’t fancy that at all!”

“Oh, I didn’t mean anything by it, my lady. I just wanted to know how it felt to be in love.”’

“In love?” Vivienne was about to scold her handmaid again, when she realized where this might be going. “Rosina, is there a man in the castle who you have your eye on?”

“Mayhap.” Rosina smiled slyly. “All right, yes, there is. However, I don’t really know if he feels the same way about me that I do about him. I mean, I thought he liked me, but now I’m not sure.

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