The Body in the Paddy Field: A Cozy Mystery About Two Female Sleuths in an Exotic Rural Setting (A Sri Lankan Mystery Book 1) by Nadishka Aloysius

Author:Nadishka Aloysius [Aloysius, Nadishka]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-08-24T22:00:00+00:00

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That evening I pulled out all my stylish clothes and wondered what to wear. It was not a date. It was not a party, either. A private dinner invitation. I had not expected any fancy dinner outings during my stay, so my wardrobe was limited. In the end I decided on a batik dress. Unfortunately, I did not have all my accessories with me; I would have had to hire a moving van to bring everything!

Vino and I met in the hall. She was dressed in tight jeans that showed off her slim figure and a silk blouse. “Nice!” we said together as we surveyed each other.

“It’s a good thing Manike has already left. I don’t want her gossiping about us being dressed up and wondering where we were going,” I commented.

We found our way to Trehan’s mansion without too much difficulty; it was hard to miss. The massive white pillars and ornate cast iron gate we had seen on our cycle ride were imposing and impressive. Driving into the premises was like magically entering another land. The paddy fields and mud huts that were 100 yards away seemed primitive in surroundings such as this. Manicured gardens surrounded the majestic three-story building which shone in the dark. A carved fountain topped by a marble swan in flight rose from the centre of the lawn. The water pump must be under repairs though since it was dry. I could see paved walkways winding off to either side of the building. The night was still, and I wondered if anyone was at home. Could the text have been a practical joke?

The doorbell resounded with a clang, and as we waited, I whispered, “I wonder if there’s a butler?” The door was opened by a maid (not in livery or uniform, as I had half expected), and we followed her into the hallway. Trehan emerged from an adjoining room immediately and showed us to some plush armchairs in the lobby.

“Thank you for joining me, ladies!” he said, expansively. “I’ve been waiting to show this place off before its grand opening. Please, take a seat while they bring some refreshments.” He nodded to the maid. “So, what do you think so far?”

“It’s amazing,” I breathed as I looked around. The room was well lit and the colourful furnishing and accessories were elegant. Obviously, no expense had been spared when redecorating the house. It truly looked like a small luxury hotel. A place where the rich and famous would come to unwind.

“I don’t know what it looked like in your father’s time, but if it was similar to the usual old ancestral homes in the area, well, you found one hell of an interior decorator!” exclaimed Vino.

When our drinks arrived Trehan stood and offered to show us around. He pointed out where the Reception Desk would be and took us through the many rooms on the ground floor. There was a Breakfast Room, a fine dining restaurant named Summer Fields, an impressive library, and various sitting rooms for guests to relax in.

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