Storm Island_A Kate Pomeroy Mystery (Kate Pomeroy Gothic Mystery Series Book 1) by Linda Watkins

Author:Linda Watkins [Watkins, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Argon Press
Published: 2018-11-26T05:00:00+00:00

The squall blew through quickly and, by the time I made my way to the manor house for dinner, everything was calm again.

I was expecting just my dad, Hettie, and Raoul and was surprised to find there were other guests - the Palmers, the oldest of the four families.

Hector Palmer was an attorney and ex-Senator from Connecticut. A cautious and reclusive man, he was rarely seen outside his estate. His wife, Nancy, was, to the contrary, very social and known to rule the roost. Descended from settlers who arrived in the New World on the Mayflower, she was a proud member of the Daughters of the Revolution and never let anyone forget it. My mother had often mimicked the woman’s haughty demeanor when she was out of earshot, bringing peals of laughter to those around her.

I had not seen the Palmers since I was ten years old and took a moment to reintroduce myself.

Raoul, as usual, was at the bar, mixing drinks and, at the same time, began to regale us with bawdy stories of his youth in Cairo.

I was sitting on the sofa next to Hector when Raoul came by carrying a tray laden with cocktails.

“And, what will the young Miss have?” he asked, proffering the tray. “I have a special chocolate martini here that I believe may have your name on it.”

“Nothing for me, thanks,” I responded, eyeing the martini suspiciously. “My stomach was bothering me this morning, so I think I’ll lay off the booze for the night. But thanks anyway.”

He frowned, then offered a different drink to Hector.

Conversation turned to island matters, Nancy complaining loudly about the Levines and the lack of Internet.

“It’s their responsibility,” she said. “And they’re shirking. I don’t care if Hiram Levine has just gotten back from his honeymoon. It’s positively rude not to have taken care of the Internet before July first.”

No one disputed her argument. After all, the Palmers were the first of the four families to come to Storm and, as such, were treated by the others with deference. Their family had purchased the entire island in the late 1930s and, over the next twenty-five years, sold off the other three parcels. Hettie and Raoul were newcomers, comparatively speaking, having purchased their share from one of the original families who found themselves in financial decline. Thus, entertaining the Palmers was much like a command performance, so no one interrupted or disputed what Nancy was saying.

Gratefully, her tirade was cut short by one of the household staff who announced that dinner was served.

As we all adjourned to the dining room, I wondered how I was going to get through this meal without eating or drinking anything untoward.

My prayers were answered when I saw the large salad bowl on the sideboard, filled tomatoes and fresh greens. Next to it were several small carafes containing dressings of various flavors. Since the salad wasn’t already dressed, it was very unlikely that someone could or would have tainted each of the sauces. Therefore, I could continue with my sour stomach excuse and just have salad.

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