An Infamous End (The Jane Pemberton Murder Mysteries Book 5) by Blythe Baker

Author:Blythe Baker [Baker, Blythe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-30T16:00:00+00:00

10

“Be careful, darling,” Anna called from the front steps of the grocer’s, waving her handkerchief. “Do not be long, if you can avoid it.”

“I shall not, my love,” Mr. Randolph said. He started up the street with Mr. Richards limping along beside him. “I hope we might return before dinner. Mr. Richards shall join us, I think.”

“Yes, of course,” Anna said. “I shall tell Mrs. Newman to prepare us something special.”

Mr. Randolph waved for a brief moment and then the two men were gone.

Anna sighed heavily, lowering her handkerchief. She turned to look at me. “Well…I suppose this is the most excitement we have seen together in some time.”

“It certainly is,” I said. “I believe the last time we witnessed an event as exciting was when Mrs. Hamille lost her prized horse, and all the children were sent out to find it.”

Anna grinned. “And it was not yet noon before all of us were chasing that horse right through the middle of town. If I am not mistaken, it was William Bard who managed to grab the reigns, but being just a boy, he appeared more like a kite waving in the wind as the horse careened around the street corners.”

For a moment, we shared a laugh over a memory that only the two of us would share.

Then the truth of what we had just witnessed passed over us.

“I am thankful that it did not escalate any further,” Anna said, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.

“As am I,” I said. “I can understand Mr. Barnes’ anger, but to resort to violence as a means of resolving it…”

“It does nothing,” Anna said, shaking her head. “It is not as if harming Mr. Richards in any way would bring Miss Abigail back.”

“Precisely,” I said.

Anna sighed once again. “Come along, we should not stand here and worry Mr. Granger.”

“Of course,” I said, and followed her inside.

Indoors, we bid the grocer farewell, heading back up to our living quarters.

Anna sighed heavily as we crossed over the threshold. Mrs. Newman asked after the situation, and then promptly offered us some refreshments. We accepted, and made our way into the drawing room.

“Goodness me…” Anna said, sinking down onto the settee. “This will surely be the center of all conversation for weeks. My poor husband will be overrun with questions of integrity and violence, with people frightened for their own lives. Mr. Barnes’ reputation is surely ruined. I pity his wife. As successful as their business has been, I fear that many people will avoid it altogether now.”

“Perhaps,” I said, coming to a stop near the window. I peered out, down into the street.

I ached for Mr. and Mrs. Barnes. To have a child missing must have been more frightening than even facing their own deaths.

But Mr. Richards…his pain must be entirely different.

After speaking with him, it seemed as if he did truly love Miss Abigail. He had intended to marry her, had been quite excited to do so. The fear in his gaze had been genuine.

It

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