Murder Takes the Stage by Colleen Cambridge

Author:Colleen Cambridge [Cambridge, Colleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: VV Mystery, Historical Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2024-07-10T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, PHYLLIDA DREAMED ABOUT JAMES. James—Jamie, when she was feeling affectionate toward him—Bright, with his crooked but charming smile, vibrant blue eyes, and quicksilver tongue. With those assets and his thick, honey-brown hair, neatly trimmed mustache, and dimpled chin, he’d made a potent package.

He wove through her dreams that night—as he had done her life—appearing and reappearing, coaxing, prodding, wooing, teasing.

In her night-fueled memories, his eyes metamorphosed from bright and loving to heavy-lidded and sensual, to crinkled with humor . . . stark with fear . . . blazing with anger.

She finally woke herself when his hands were wrapped around her throat, squeezing, squeezing....

Phyllida lay there, panting, her own hands at her throat as if to prove his were no longer there.

For a time after that, she’d worn high collars to hide the bruising. Even after the bruises faded, she wore the collars.

Until one day, she stopped wearing them. That was the day she and Agatha decided she would come to work for her.

Now, Phyllida forced herself to climb out of bed—an unusual occurrence; normally, she rose with alacrity, ready to start the day. This morning, she left behind sheets and coverlet that were twisted and untucked, testament to her tormented sleep. Grateful for the mundane task, she focused on setting the bed to rights instead of the dreams whose remnants still made her fingers tremble.

Thanks to the shadows, she hadn’t been able to see Bradford’s expression when she told him about James. Nor had she given Bradford the opportunity to respond—she’d darted away, hurrying into the house, furious with herself for telling him. Furious for making herself vulnerable once again to someone—especially a man.

The only person she trusted was Agatha, and that was partly because it was a mutual trust. They shared each other’s secrets. They’d helped each other out during the blackest pits of their lives.

Despite her weariness the night before, and the exhausting dreams, Phyllida had awakened earlier than usual. It was just after seven o’clock. She washed up and dressed, forcing herself to think about her tasks relative to the household for the day ahead . . . and how she could avoid seeing Bradford.

She didn’t expect that he’d rush off and tell Agatha or Mr. Max that their housekeeper was a killer—no, that, at least, was not his way. And even if he did, Agatha already knew about the situation.

But Phyllida didn’t want to see the censure or horror in his eyes. Nor did she want questions or snide comments.

She wasn’t proud of herself for these emotions—this tactic of avoidance, this fear of interaction. It was cowardly and weak. But it was the only way she could survive.

Although, how could she avoid Bradford forever with both of them in the same household?

She heard a knock at her office door and came through from the tiny bedroom.

The knock came again. “Mrs. Bright?”

It was Opal, with a tray of tea, one slice of toast, and a boiled egg. Now how on

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.