The Amber Trap by Ellen Read

Author:Ellen Read [Read, Ellen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Easy Reads Publishing
Published: 2023-11-16T16:00:00+00:00

Florrie led the way upstairs to her bedroom. ‘You can hang your dresses in my wardrobe,’ she said.

When Edith unlocked the door of the large wardrobe, Florrie clapped her hands and pointed at one of her dresses. All unhappiness from the recent episode seemed to have vanished. ‘Do you like the yellow bows?’ she asked.

Edith rolled her eyes. Alexandra looked at the white georgette dress, with the large, stain yellow bows that made the gown look hideous. Florrie loved her bows, so Alexandra smiled. ‘I think it would look lovely on you,’ she said.

‘I’ll wear it this evening,’ Florrie announced. ‘Then I’ll be like you, changing for dinner.’ Florrie clapped her hands again, and then asked, ‘Did I show you my amber?’ She picked it up from the bedside table.

‘You did,’ Edith drawled, her tone implying she had no wish to see it again.

‘Look at the wasp.’ Florrie thrust the amber at Alexandra. ‘It’s dead.’

‘I know,’ Alexandra replied.

‘It doesn’t look dead. I found it, you know, in the Baltic. That count wants some Baltic amber.’

‘I don’t think you found it, Florrie,’ Alexandra said, but not harshly. ‘I don’t think you’ve travelled to the Baltic. It’s very far away.’

‘I did,’ Florrie objected. ‘I went there with Edward.’

Alexandra flashed a look at Edith and then back at the other woman. ‘When did Edward go to the Baltic?’

‘The count won’t take my amber, will he?’ Anxious grey eyes stared at Alexandra.

‘I’m sure he won’t. The count wants an amber postage stamp, not your piece of amber,’ Alexandra tried to assure her.

‘I don’t have any stamps.’

‘When did Edward go to the Baltic?’ Alexandra tried again. ‘Was it after the war?’

‘I don’t know,’ Florrie said. ‘I found my piece of amber.’

Alexandra shook her head at Edith. Florrie kept changing her story.

Florrie snickered, just as she’d done in the kitchen. With her adult, aged body and childish dress and manner, it made her look evil. ‘Joyce wishes you were dead, Alexandra, just like my wasp is dead.’

Alexandra blanched. The woman’s words felt like a slap in the face. ‘Really?’ she murmured, after a moment. ‘Has Joyce told you this?’

Florrie put her piece of amber down. ‘Joyce doesn’t like Benedict.’ She stepped closer to Alexandra. ‘Why don’t you go home?’ She raised her voice in anger.

Alexandra stepped backwards. Was Florrie merely copying what she’d heard her sister say?

‘We’re not ready to go home,’ Alexandra said, once again trying to remain calm.

Florrie’s annoyance dissipated, and she twirled one of the bows on her dress. ‘Are you staying for dinner?’

‘We are,’ Alexandra replied. ‘Would you mind if we get changed now?’ She knew it was far too early to change for dinner. Edie looked askance at her. Alexandra just couldn’t abide the thought of having to come back into this room later. She wanted to change now and be done with it.

‘No, I don’t mind,’ Florrie said, and sat on her bed. ‘Joyce says I shouldn’t sit on the bed. Beds are for sleeping.’

‘Florrie, we need privacy to get changed.

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