Off The Map (Maisie Frobisher Mysteries Book 2) by Liz Hedgecock

Author:Liz Hedgecock [Hedgecock, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: victorian, Detective, british detective, detective fiction, Crime, thriller, Historical Fiction, historical thriller, Women's Fiction, historical novel, novel
Publisher: White Rhino Books
Published: 2020-02-24T16:00:00+00:00

Dear Miss Frobisher,

Unfortunately I have already made plans for this weekend, and therefore I cannot accept your kind invitation.

Yours sincerely,

E. Mandeville

Maisie tried not to read too much into it; but that ‘E’, the withholding of his first name, spoke volumes. And while the Darlings had said in private that of course they didn’t believe the rumours, they also said that perhaps it would be best not to be seen together until the whole matter blew over. ‘People talk, you see,’ said Julia Darling. ‘And while we do support you, Maisie, some of our less understanding friends would ostracise us if they saw us with you. I know the Roses are planning a ball, and if Ethel thinks that we are friendly with you she will excommunicate us. If we were shunned by the Chief of Staff’s daughter, we would be cast into the outer darkness.’ She laughed a brittle laugh which Maisie presumed was meant to convey that such things did not matter to her; but clearly they did.

The priest’s voice rose, and Maisie shook herself from her unpleasant thoughts and paid attention. ‘I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.’ He paused. ‘You may kiss the bride,’ he hinted to Mr Merritt, who obeyed, his face flushed pink, and the congregation broke out in laughter and applause, almost drowning the priest’s blessing.

The new Mr and Mrs Merritt posed on the steps of the church for a photograph, which took an inordinate length of time; for the photographer kept adjusting his tripod, disappearing under his black cloth, then reappearing to declare that the light was all wrong. Eventually, though, it was done, and the party repaired to Mrs Ponsonby’s house, where a dainty wedding breakfast awaited them on the veranda.

Maisie nibbled at a canapé and chatted with the mother of the bride, who was very smart in her new half-mourning and more voluble than Maisie had ever known her. ‘Didn’t it go well, Miss Frobisher?’ said Mrs Jennings, reaching for a biscuit. ‘I couldn’t sleep last night for worrying, and I couldn’t eat a morsel this morning. I’m so relieved it’s over. Don’t they make a handsome pair?’

‘Oh, they do,’ said Maisie. Sophia and Christopher were talking with Inspector Hamilton. Now that the deed was done Christopher Merritt seemed to have lost his awkwardness, and Sophia looked beautiful in her simple white dress. Maisie’s gaze shifted to the inspector, who was smiling and chatting easily, a glass of lemonade in his hand. Maisie could scarcely believe that he was the same man who had kissed her in the carriage only a few evenings before. Then Inspector Hamilton caught her looking, and casually fiddled with the knot of his tie. Maisie gasped, and the corner of his mouth quirked up in a way which made her quiver.

‘We haven’t seen much of Inspector Hamilton lately,’ said Mrs Jennings thoughtfully. ‘He must be working hard, although I’m sure I don’t know what he’s doing.

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