Murder at St Philomena's by Anita Davison

Author:Anita Davison [Davison, Anita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788542968
Publisher: Aria
Published: 2017-10-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Flora and Lydia took their seats in the sitting room, replete from a supper no one had enjoyed more than Harry.

‘I told you he would appreciate a home-cooked meal after dining in cafés and restaurants every day,’ Lydia whispered when he had delivered yet another effusive compliment. She wore a shade of chartreuse that complemented her fair hair and delicate features. A single drop pearl hung from a gold chain round her throat, her eyes sparkling with happiness rivalling the diamond on her left hand.

‘What were you saying about postponing the wedding, Lydia?’ Bunny dismissed Stokes in order to preside over the brandy decanter and coffee tray himself.

‘Indeed, it’s a shame when you were set on a festive ceremony,’ Flora added.

‘That’s what I say.’ Harry lounged against a chair, his forearms draped over the high back. ‘I’ve made it quite clear I don’t care a fig for my parents’ disapproval.’

‘Is that what this is all about?’ Flora asked, angry that the Flynns regarded intelligent, sweet-natured Lydia a poor candidate as a wife for their son.

‘They were so set on me marrying Evangeline,’ Harry said. ‘It rather threw them when she died.’

‘She was murdered, Harry. By her half-brother.’ Lydia accepted the cut-glass balloon Bunny held out. ‘Your mother was very fond of Evangeline.’ That she felt less than affection for Lydia was implied. ‘It must have been a shock for her to know her plans for you had been shattered.’

‘More like horror that I wouldn’t have access to her fortune.’ Harry straightened in order to take a glass from Bunny, from which a rich spirit smell emanated. ‘I’ve told them countless times I only went along with their plans to appease them.’ He took a mouthful of brandy, giving a slight shudder.

‘Is the spirit not to your liking?’ Bunny asked, his forehead creased in a frown.

‘Not at all. It’s excellent.’ Harry lifted the glass so it caught the light, the transparent gold liquid glowing through the crystal facets. ‘Perhaps I should have sipped it.’

‘That would be my advice. It’s a rather fine Otard XO, matured in the lower vaults of Chateau Otard on the banks of the River Charente. The cellars provide a constant temperature and humidity perfect for the ageing of eaux-de-vie.’ He smiled broadly at the row of astonished faces turned towards him.

‘Eu de vie? Isn’t that what the Scots call whisky?’ Lydia asked.

‘Funny you should say that.’ Bunny took his seat in his favourite leather studded chair, one ankle crossed over the other. ‘The family originated from eleventh century Vikings and settled in Scotland, later becoming Jacobites. They followed James II into exile after the Glorious Revolution of 1688.’

‘I had no idea you were so knowledgeable, Bunny.’ Lydia’s eyes shone in admiration.

‘Not really. I spent a very boring holiday in Cognac when I was fourteen with an aunt who dragged me on a tour of the chateaux. Surprising how certain things sink in.’

‘Don’t spoil it.’ Flora pouted. ‘I prefer to think I married a man of the world.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.