The Underwood Case: A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novella by Xarissa Diana

Author:Xarissa, Diana
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

“Let me introduce you to everyone,” Edward said. “This is Janet Markham.”

“Your lady friend. I can tell that just from the way you say her name. I am Eugenie Snelling. It is a great pleasure to meet anyone who can tame Edvard Bennett. The women he went through when we were younger, my goodness. Even I lost my heart to the man, but he never gave me a single glance. It was always about work for him, really, and now I understand he is retiring. That is good for you, of course, but bad for the world.”

Janet wasn’t certain how to reply to all of that. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said after a moment.

Eugenie laughed. “And this must be your sister, as you are too alike to be anything less,” she said to Joan.

“Yes, I’m Joan Markham,” Joan replied.

“And the very handsome man behind you appears to be madly in love with you,” Eugenie added.

Michael flushed. “You’re very perceptive,” he said.

“Darlink, I can always tell when a man is in love. I used to see it as a personal challenge, getting a man in love away from his woman. It was a fun game, but I’m past such games now, of course,” Eugenie told him.

“Ah, our special guest has arrived,” D. H. said as he rushed into the room. “I’m Darien Harley-Sappington. It’s a great pleasure to meet you,” he said.

“Ah, the man who owns this lovely shop,” Eugenie said. “But Edvard told me that you needed me to prove myself to you.”

“Oh, no, it’s quite all right,” D. H. said quickly.

Eugenie shook her head. “You are right to be suspicious. Although I believe I am unique, someone could pretend to be me. I’m certain they’d get it all wrong, but they could try.” She gave a small shrug and then reached into her enormous handbag. When she pulled out her passport, she held it out to D. H.

“Oh, no, I couldn’t,” he said.

“I’ll have a look,” Robert interjected.

Eugenie turned and then smiled brightly at Robert. “Men in uniform are always twice as handsome,” she purred. “You’re so very young, but so very attractive. You are married?”

Robert blushed brightly. “Um, no, but I have a girlfriend.”

“Of course you do. You are so very handsome. Women must be queuing at your door. If I were a few years younger, your girlfriend would be sad.”

Robert nodded and then took the passport and opened it. Janet was just close enough to look over his shoulder as he flipped to the page at the back.

“It’s a terrible picture,” Eugenie sighed. “I’m sorry that you have to see it.”

Janet could only stare at the photograph. In it, Eugenie was wearing no makeup and her hair was caught up in a messy ponytail. Janet knew Eugenie was at least fifty, but she looked closer to forty in real life. The woman in the photo, though, appeared to be around twenty-five. Janet checked and was surprised to see that the passport had been renewed only a year earlier.

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