Murder at the Tea Party by Sonia Parin

Author:Sonia Parin [Parin, Sonia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-28T05:00:00+00:00

***

Evie pulled on her gloves and stated, “It’s personal now.”

Tom gave her a lifted eyebrow look that spoke of incredulity. “Of course it is. You are being held responsible for two deaths. Not officially, otherwise the police would have hauled you away. But the general consensus seems to be prevailing at the moment. Guilty until proven innocent.”

“Are you quite finished poking fun at me?” Evie asked, her tone full of indignation.

Tom smiled. “Yes, I think so…”

Shaking her head, she explained, “Caro is infatuated with the village Lothario, Charlie Timms. He must be held accountable for his actions.” Settling into the passenger seat of the red roadster she waved her hand, “Drive on, please.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Once they cleared the gates, he asked, “Which way?”

“To Hollyhock Farm. I am going to confront Charlie Timms and force him to admit to his debauchery. Assuming it is him.”

Tom chuckled under his breath. “And how do you propose making him admit to his rakish pursuits?”

“I’ll figure it out. And… please don’t mock me. Meanwhile, you could engage your resourceful mind and try to come up with ideas. My maid’s honor is at stake, not to mention her heart and my clothes.”

“Your clothes?”

“Yes, I need Caro to be happy or I’ll be facing a hefty dressmaker’s bill. Who knows what my wretched maid will do if she doesn’t find someone to take her mind off Seth.”

They drove the rest of the way in silence until Evie wondered out loud, “The neighbor I saw up in a tree might be able to help us.”

“The neighbor you imagined seeing. It might have been a cat,” Tom suggested.

“No, I had the distinct impression we were being watched. Even after we abandoned the idea of anyone answering the bell and walked around the building to see the orchard. If Charlie Timms has been carrying on with one or more women, then I believe the neighbor will have something to say about it. In fact, I would bet anything they are eager to share what they know. It’s to do with the force of human nature.”

Glancing at her, Tom asked, “Does this mean you have been dipping into those books you pulled out of the shelves?”

To Evie’s surprise, she had read through an entire book only to start again as most of it had been quite difficult to understand. “Yes, my attention has been engaged. I find the subject of the human mind and behaviors intriguing. I’m hoping the third reading will open my mind to a better understanding of the subject.”

“Third?”

“I skimmed through it the first time.” Evie huffed out a breath. “The author uses too many words to get to the point.” Another huff had her admitting, “I seem to be a slow learner.”

“I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it eventually. By the way,” Tom said as he slowed down to take a bend in the road, “Meg Harrison came through with more information from her friend who works at Witford Hall.”

Evie remembered Tom had asked the pub’s maid to make further inquiries for them…

“Mrs.

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