An Uninvited Corpse (An Anna Fairweather Murder Mystery Book 3) by Blythe Baker

Author:Blythe Baker [Baker, Blythe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-19T16:00:00+00:00

8

As the Christmas season was settling in, Mrs. Montford had been receiving invitation after invitation for dinner parties and balls and luncheons from various people. It must have lifted her spirits, for she seemed interested in what she would wear to these events and how she might juggle them all without having to cancel.

I could not remember a time where she had wanted to socialize quite so much but she certainly seemed eager.

The evening after my conversation with Mr. Fitzroy was one such event, a dinner party at a Sir Fitzwilliam’s home. It seemed that this dinner was the one for the season, or at least Mrs. Montford said as much as she frantically searched through every gown she owned before we departed. “Oh, blast it. I should have had Mrs. Green make a new dress for me.”

“But Mrs. Montford, you did not receive the invitation until three days ago,” I said as I sat back and watched her paw through her wardrobe.

She glanced at me over her shoulder, her eyes flashing. “Yes, but I should have known I would need a dress. It is Christmas, after all. Everyone will be having some sort of party. I would have needed it either way!”

She finally settled on a lovely burgundy dress, floor length and trimmed with black lace, that suited her better than any of the modern cuts. She seemed to stand taller in it.

“You look twenty years younger, ma’am,” I told her as I settled her fur wrap over her shoulders. “The color is very becoming on you.”

“Thank you,” she said, giving me a quick glance. “I am pleased that you have allowed Selina to lend you her dresses. We must get you to a seamstress. We are in London now. Even you will be expected to dress to a certain standard, as your appearance is a reflection upon me.”

I had indeed allowed Selina to lend me another dress but she had given me little choice in the matter. I was uncomfortable in some of the more fashionable dresses, feeling immediately out of place. However, was it not my task to blend in? Selina had assured me that the latest fashions would help me to do just that, and I supposed she was right, though it did not help me to like it any better.

The car took us through the city, and we traveled a short distance to a lovely rowhouse near a beautiful park. As we pulled up, candles burned in each window. Red ribbons had been tied to the posts at the bottom of the front stairs. Warm, golden light filtered out onto the sidewalk, which was dusted with the first snow of the season.

Mrs. Montford was helped from the car and I followed closely after. She did not dawdle on the sidewalk, instead quickly making her way up the stairs. The door opened as soon as she approached and we were greeted by the household’s butler, a plump man with a grey beard.

“Might I take your wrap, ma’am?” he asked as he closed the door swiftly behind us.

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