Chaos & Cabernet by W. V. Fitz-Simon

Author:W. V. Fitz-Simon [Fitz-Simon, W. V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dedo Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

HER KNEES WOBBLING, AGNIESZKA clenched her eyes tight and reopened them to find herself back on the front steps, the others standing beside her. Mei clasped her hands over her mouth, ran to the edge of the steps, and threw up into the bushes. Agnieszka, the closest to her, helped her to sit.

“What the bloody hell just happened,” said Mei as she plucked a leaf off an overhanging branch and used it to wipe her mouth.

Eleanor took a deep breath and sank to the steps next to her. In the street, a horse and carriage clattered past. “It’s starting to get to me, too. Perhaps we should—”

“Hush a moment,” said Shreya, pointing at the shiny, lacquered buggy. “Horse and carriage. Couple on a stroll.”

The couple that had walked past when they first emerged into the illusion strode into view.

“Mrs. Wentworth,” said Shreya in time with the woman as she called out to her friend. “Walking the dog … ”

The unruly dog dragged his boy across the pavement on the other side of the street.

“And front door.”

The butler opened the door to greet them.

“Mrs. Prescott,” said the butler. “Mrs. Greek is expecting you. Do come in.”

“We are being shown something,” said Shreya.

“Fletcher, my good man!” Elsie took control of the situation and bustled past him. “Marvelous to see you. Come along ladies. We mustn’t keep dear Mrs. Greek waiting.”

“Nous attendons vos ordres, capitaine,” said Eleanor to Agnieszka. She curtsied and giggled as she passed the butler and entered the house.

“If this will repeat again,” said Shreya with one arm wrapped around Mei to help her along as they walked through into the parlor, “how much time do we have?”

“Twenty minutes, no more,” said Agnieszka.

“Get it done quickly, please,” said Mei, pale as a ghost. “My head is going to explode.”

“Search the house for the hidden chamber,” whispered Eleanor as they sat, “or foil the scoundrel?”

If the fetch was trying to show them something, finding where they were imprisoned wouldn’t do them much good. The way out was to discover what it was trying to show them.

“We find Phineas Greek,” said Agnieszka.

“Dear Mrs. Prescott,” said Shreya, “Poor Mrs. Li has taken a bit of a turn. Is there somewhere we could take her so she can freshen up?”

“Oh, my heavens,” said the young Mrs. Greek, appalled at the sight of Mei’s pale face. “Fletcher, please show the ladies to the bathroom. And bring us tea. Should I call for the doctor?”

From outside came the whinny of a horse and the coarse swearing of its rider. Shreya wrapped an arm around Mei and helped her up before she could settle in.

“Oh no,” said Shreya. “There’s no need. A splash of water on her face and she’ll be right as rain.”

“No doctor? Shreya Kumar,” hissed Mei under her breath as Agnieszka and Shreya shuffled her out behind the butler, “may a thousand beetles nest in your pantry.”

“Hush, dear,” said Shreya. “You can curse me as much as you like when we’re safely home.”

The butler

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