[Mrs. Lillywhite Investigates 06] - Most Definitely Murder by Emily Queen

Author:Emily Queen [Queen, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Letting Helen go lightened Rosemary’s mood considerably, and so that afternoon when Vera tried to ruin it again by waxing on about the possibility of eloping with Frederick, Rosemary made a snap decision.

“Enough of this. I propose we drive over to Betsy’s house so I can return her telegram. I suggest you throw yourself upon her mercy and beg for the chance to buy that gown, and continue on with the original wedding plans. Otherwise, I will be forced to explain to my mother why you and Frederick have decided to break her heart. I’m sure she will forgive you. Eventually.”

Vera didn’t seem keen on the idea but took one look at Rosemary’s face and decided this might not be the best time to push her friend. In token protest, she felt compelled to ask, “Didn’t you say Betsy lives in a rather bad part of town? We promised Wadsworth we wouldn’t go off by ourselves…”

“When has that ever stopped us before? I didn’t hear you arguing over going to the very same area yesterday. I’ll bring Andrew’s revolver if it makes you more comfortable, but you’re not getting out of this that easily.”

Her tone indicated it would be wise for Vera to comply, and so she did, but with a nagging feeling that the mission wasn’t going to be as easily accomplished as Rosemary thought.

Meanwhile, Rosemary wondered why her usually spunky friend had chosen to act the petulant child over a single detail of the wedding. An important detail, surely, but not one that would typically push Vera into doing something so rash as to flout convention.

“Why the rush to elope now? You’re not…you know,” Rosemary pointed towards her belly. “Are you? Because if you are, perhaps you ought to book a spot at the registry office directly as that would be a far worse notion for our mothers to accept. Living in sin is one thing; having a baby out of wedlock is quite another.”

“I’m not with child, Rosemary,” Vera replied icily. “Is it so difficult to imagine that I might, after years of denial, simply want to start my life with Frederick as soon as possible? Without all the fuss and expense.”

Vera seeking to avoid a fuss went against everything Rosemary knew about her friend, who generally liked nothing more than to be the center of attention. Furthermore, she couldn’t remember a time when the notion of expense had perturbed Vera either.

“I suppose not,” Rosemary said reluctantly as she studied Vera’s face for any clue as to why her friend had suddenly decided to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

“Besides,” Vera continued, pretending to ignore Rosemary’s searching gaze, “given the results of your investigation, I can’t see what there is to gain by speaking to Betsy today. Nothing has changed.”

Vera might have had a point. The day before, a message had been left for Rosemary stating that Betsy’s Frederick Poole did not appear on the list of soldiers who perished in the war. She’d been

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