Snobbery With Violence: An Edwardian Murder Mystery by Marion Chesney & M. C. Beaton

Author:Marion Chesney & M. C. Beaton [Chesney, Marion & Beaton, M. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, General, Traditional British, Historical
ISBN: 9780312997168
Google: 6O2PS7mGUgoC
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2004-05-16T04:00:00+00:00

She was bursting with news and felt she could not bear to wait until the morning. Daisy shook Rose awake, hissing, “You’ll never believe it.”

Rose struggled up against the pillows. “What has happened? Another death?”

Daisy perched on the bed, her eyes alight with excitement. “Lord Hedley went in to Miss Bryce-Cuddlestone’s bedchamber at two in the morning!”

“Perhaps she was ill?”

“Garn!”

“Daisy! You must remember to behave like a proper lady’s maid!”

Daisy was tired. “Look, my lady, a proper lady’s maid don’t have to spend the night listening at doors. Like being a proper detective means finding out things for yourself.”

Rose’s eyes blazed with anger. And then she sank back against the pillows with a sigh. Daisy had made her feel guilty. Daisy had made her feel that she was merely playing at being a detective while delegating the hard work to someone else.

And why should she expect Daisy to behave like a conventional servant when the very reason she liked the girl was because of the fact that she was not conventional at all.

“You are right, Daisy. But I am shocked. How on earth can Margaret hope to find a husband when she is…”

“Damaged goods?”

“Quite.”

“I believe some ladies say it got broke when they were out riding.”

“Broke what?”

“You know. The thing that keeps you a virgin. Sounds like hymn books.”

Rose shifted awkwardly. “Never mind that. If Margaret has fallen from grace, then it stands to reason that Mary Gore-Desmond might also have been having an affair.”

“There’s another thing,” said Daisy eagerly, “what I heard in the servants’ hall.”

Rose was about to correct Daisy’s grammar but decided against it. The idea of escaping to London and working for a living was growing in her mind. Like herself, Daisy was now an excellent typist. They could go together. And if that happened, they would be equals. On the other hand, Daisy would need to speak properly if she were to become a businesswoman.

“Do you want to hear what I have to say, or not?” asked Daisy.

“Go on.”

“Lord Hedley’s pa blew the family money building this monster of a castle. Lady Hedley’s the one with all the money. Her lawyers tied it up in the marriage settlements so he can’t get his hands on it until she’s dead. What if Lord Hedley was playing fast and loose with Miss Gore-Desmond and she threatened to tell Lady Hedley? There’s a reason for murder.”

“It’s a reason for Lord Hedley to murder his wife. Of course, had it been Lady Hedley who had been found dead, perhaps he would be suspected right away. I think we should communicate your findings to Captain Cathcart.”

“Thought you didn’t like him.”

“Whether I like him or not is beside the point. He has the experience we need. Good night, Daisy. You did well.”

“I’m sorry I forgot my place, my lady.”

“You may behave as an equal when you are with me, but not in public. I have plans for us.”

“What plans?”

“I’ll tell you when I have worked it all out.”

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