A Fatal Footnote by Margaret Loudon

Author:Margaret Loudon [Loudon, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2021-07-06T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

* * *

Pen already had the coffee on when Beryl appeared in the kitchen the next morning.

“That smells heavenly,” Beryl said, pulling her robe closer around her. Her blond hair was tousled and her face creased with sleep. “I guess I’m still jet-lagged. I could have slept all day.” She covered her mouth and yawned.

“I thought we’d go to London tomorrow,” Pen said, as she poured out two mugs of coffee. She’d taken to drinking tea in the mornings—English breakfast—but in honor of Beryl’s visit she’d switched back to coffee.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Beryl said. “I’m in no mood to go sightseeing. Besides, I’ve been to London numerous times already with Magnus when he was there on business.”

Beryl accepted the mug from Penelope and wrapped her hands around it. She stared pensively at it for a moment.

“Magnus proposed to me in London, did I ever tell you?” She turned toward Penelope. “It was so romantic. He took me out to dinner at this fabulous restaurant—believe it or not I can no longer remember the name and it’s long been closed—and I ordered a chocolate lava cake for dessert. When I dug my spoon into it—there it was—a diamond engagement ring.” Beryl sniffed and dabbed her eyes. She looked at Penelope, her mouth downturned. “What went wrong?”

Magnus got greedy, Pen thought to herself. And now he had to pay the price. It was unfortunate that it was going to cost Beryl as well. All Beryl had ever tried to be was a good wife.

“We won’t be going to London to sightsee,” Penelope said. She went to the refrigerator and removed a carton of eggs. She glanced toward the back door, where Mrs. Danvers was curled up in a beam of sunlight coming through the window.

“I need to go to the Atelier Classique on Sloane Street in Belgravia.”

Beryl perked up. “Atelier Classique? I love their designs.” Beryl’s face took on a dreamy expression but then quickly clouded over. “Not that I can afford them now.”

“They designed the Duchess of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke’s wedding gown.”

“Don’t tell me you’re planning on buying something.” Beryl put down her mug with a thud.

“Of course not. We’re going there to get you a job. I happen to know someone who works there.”

“You can’t be serious?” Beryl’s mouth hung open. “I’m way too old to model, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I’m not thinking anything in particular,” Pen admitted as she cracked some eggs into a bowl. “Maybe they need a sales consultant or a stylist. Or even, yes, a model for their in-house fashion shows. You may not be twenty anymore, but you’re hardly ancient.” She faced Beryl with her hands on her hips. “We’ll see what happens when we get there.”

Penelope poured the eggs into a pan on the stove. They sizzled and spit momentarily. She grabbed a spoon from a container by the Aga and gave them a stir.

“Today, I thought I’d take you to the Open Book and you can meet the cast of characters I’ve gotten to know while I’ve been here.

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