Sleuths on the Case: A 1920s Historical Cozy Mystery by Sonia Parin

Author:Sonia Parin [Parin, Sonia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Following the directions given by Huntley Clarke, Mason drove toward the edge of the village and brought the motor car to a stop in front of a stone cottage with a rather smart looking motor car sitting in the driveway.

As they climbed out of the Rolls Royce, they saw a couple heading their way. They were about to walk through the gate when the man called out a greeting.

“I believe that’s our doctor,” Thea said.

When the couple reached them, Thea introduced everyone, saying, “I’m the Earl of Radcliffe’s daughter. He always makes a point of welcoming new arrivals to the village, but I don’t remember him mentioning you. I hope he hasn’t been negligent. Are you Doctor Markus Reed?”

“I am, indeed. This is Elizabeth Rutherford. We have just been exploring the village. Lord Radcliffe did call on me a couple of weeks ago and,” he turned to Elizabeth Rutherford, “if I’m not mistaken, he also called on you.”

“Yes. I think he intended calling on me. I actually found him wandering around the orchard.”

That did not surprise Lucinda.

As Thea engaged them in conversation, Lucinda studied the couple.

They had met Milton Hayes’ guests and, after Eleanor had provided them with sketches of the dinner she had attended, they’d realized there were two more guests, so they’d added the doctor and Elizabeth Rutherford to the list.

Lucinda had made the mistake of assuming they would both resemble the others who’d all been quite vibrant and modern.

A head shorter than Lucinda, Elizabeth Rutherford had an untamed mop of honey blonde hair, unfashionably long and gathered into a knot with wisps escaping and framing her freckled face. Her wide mouth stretched into a friendly smile that made her pale blue eyes sparkle. She wore clothes suitable for rambling in the countryside. The pretty floral blouse and dark gray skirt matched with shoes for comfort and practicality. Lucinda couldn’t determine her age. She definitely looked older than twenty-five.

Lucinda realized she would need to alter her impression of the doctor, one formed over the years. The physicians she’d met throughout her life had all been dressed in the height of fashion, in stylish suits.

Doctor Markus Reed wore a suit, but it had seen better days. Aside from the frayed edges, she thought it had quite possibly been made for a man with broader shoulders.

She assumed he subjected his light brown hair to a cut once a year, perhaps twice. Judging by the tufts sticking out, he had to be close to another visit to the barber. He had a wide forehead, an angular face, a ready smile, and a prominent Adam’s apple.

“Your visit is well timed. Elizabeth and I were just about to have some tea.”

Lucinda didn’t think she could manage another cup of tea. Regardless, she joined the others and followed them inside the cottage. Along the way, she glanced at the smart looking convertible motor car and realized it must belong to Elizabeth as her farm was located some distance from the village.

They were shown through to a drawing room clearly suited to a male occupant.

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