Solving Sophronia by Jennifer Moore

Author:Jennifer Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2020-03-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

The green in Hyde Park north of the Serpentine was filled with spectators when Sophie arrived with Elizabeth Miller and Dahlia Lancaster. The air balloon wasn’t scheduled to ascend for at least another hour, weather permitting, but crowds had already gathered, eager to watch the spectacle. Vendors taking advantage of a waiting company on a warm day sold flavored ices and sweets. Some enterprising merchants sold miniature balloons, silken fans adorned with balloon paintings, and even brooches in balloon shapes. Ladies and gentlemen wore their finest clothing and strolled among the booths, greeting acquaintances and enjoying the sunny morning. Working-class folks gathered as well, their clothes less fancy but every bit as carefully groomed. Children laughed, running throughout the chatting groups. The mood was festive and had the feel of a fair or a holiday celebration. Sophie couldn’t help but smile in anticipation, opening her parasol as she stepped from beneath the trees of the footpath, into the sunshine.

In the center of a treeless expanse of lawn, the main attraction, a silken mass, striped blue and yellow, was being filled with gas. Over the colorful bladder stretched a netting of rope, attaching the balloon to a large basket. Bags filled with sand surrounded the basket, anchoring it to the ground.

“Oh, there is Vivian.” Dahlia pointed toward the balloon.

Sophie spotted Vivian Kirby right away. Her scientific-minded friend was bent over, peering at a contraption of gears and speaking to the men operating the large pumps that distributed the gas.

“I must say I’m hardly surprised,” Sophie said.

Elizabeth squinted toward the men. “In a perfect world, she would be directing the operation, and the men would ask the questions. I’m sure she understands the workings of a hydrogen balloon much better than they do.”

Sophie smiled, pleased with the way her friends spoke about one another, even when the object of their discussion wasn’t near. The behavior was not something she had formerly been accustomed to. She had no doubts that the Blue Orchid Society would defend her name as well, and knowing it, being able to trust this group of women, filled her with a warm comfort.

“Do tell us more about your new story, Sophie,” Dahlia said. “Are you really investigating a murder?”

“Two murders, actually,” Sophie replied, still surprised to be speaking so comfortably with Dahlia Lancaster, the most sought-after debutante in high Society. After the words were out of Sophie’s mouth, she winced. “But I shouldn’t say any more. I promised Detective Graham I would not disclose details of the case—not yet anyway.”

“So this man tells you to remain silent?” Elizabeth snorted. “Typical.”

Sophie shook her head, a burst of defensiveness prickling under her skin, even though she knew her friend’s words were spoken partially in jest. She’d come to realize over the past weeks that Elizabeth was not always as angry toward the opposite sex as she acted, though the young lady did not tolerate injustice in any form and did not hesitate to speak up in the face of discrimination. “No, it’s not like that at all,” Sophie said.

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