A Fashionable Fatality by Alyssa Maxwell

Author:Alyssa Maxwell [Maxwell, Alyssa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2022-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Eva stepped out of Lady Phoebe’s room as Claudette pushed her way through the door from the service staircase. She wondered what the clothing mistress was doing in that part of the house, but she soon learned the reason as, once again, her assistance was requested.

“Mademoiselle wishes me to pack Suzette’s things, and Remie is busy washing Mademoiselle’s and Françoise’s delicates,” Claudette explained. “Would you mind?”

“Not at all.” Eva had never been so much in demand, neither at home nor when traveling with Lady Phoebe. True, her duties kept her busy throughout the day, but she usually found time for a cup of tea or to join the other servants belowstairs for a quick chat. Not that she minded the extra work here. It helped pass the time before she and Lady Phoebe could go home again.

When she entered Suzette’s bedroom, however, a chill slithered up her spine. The faint scent of smoke lingered in the air, clinging to the bedclothes and draperies. Eva tried to avoid looking at the bed where the poor woman suffocated, and went directly to the tall bureau to begin emptying the drawers. Still, she and Claudette found it necessary to use the bed to lay out the clothing before folding it and packing it away. For that purpose, Suzette’s trunks had been brought in and stood gaping like giant mouths waiting to be fed. It saddened Eva to think they would be devouring the remnants of someone’s life.

“Bien, you are both here.” Coco strode into the room, her presence filling it despite her petite form. “Merci, Eva, for helping once again.”

“You’re quite welcome, Mademoiselle. Between the two of us, we should make short work of the job.”

“I want it done properly now,” Mademoiselle said in her commanding way. “This is a job for women who understand clothing, which is why I did not ask Marcelle to help. Some of these things I lent to Suzette. They are costly and I do not wish them ruined in the packing.”

“Be assured they will not be, Mademoiselle.” Claudette spoke with a dismissive hint in her voice. She no doubt wished Mademoiselle to leave them to the task, but Mademoiselle showed no sign of going.

“Eva, I see you have begun with the bureau. Good. Finish with that. Claudette, continue with the armoire. I will look over what you have already placed on the bed. Once everything has been emptied, you can begin folding.”

Eva didn’t relish having an audience any more than Claudette did, judging by her tight-lipped expression. She finished emptying the drawer she had been working on and then opened the one below it. Slowly the piles on the bed grew higher. They worked mostly in silence with occasional comments from Mademoiselle. She suddenly let out a shriek.

“What is this?” She held up a silk scarf from the top of the stack Eva had just placed on the bed. The semi-sheer square bore a bold floral pattern. “Where was this?”

“In there.” Eva pointed to the dressing table, where she had moved on after the bureau.

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