Death Comes to the Village by Catherine Lloyd

Author:Catherine Lloyd [Lloyd, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2013-10-02T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“Father asked me to accompany you on your visit to Kurland Hall this morning. Do you need me to carry something?”

Lucy shut the drawer containing the twins’ socks and turned to Anna. Her youngest siblings were in the village having a supervised walk with Jane, and for once, all was quiet in the rectory.

“You are welcome to come with me if you wish, but I don’t have any special commissions for you.”

“I wonder why he was so insistent, then?” Anna followed Lucy down the stairs into the hallway. “He must know Major Kurland isn’t receiving visitors.”

“You are hardly a visitor. Isn’t it obvious? Papa thinks the sight of your beautiful face would do the major good.”

Anna’s smile dimmed. “There’s no need to be sharp, Lucy. I swear I didn’t ask if I could come with you.”

“I know you didn’t. It’s just that . . .” Lucy paused. “Papa would be delighted if you managed to ensnare the major.”

“Don’t be silly. I have no intention of even trying to engage the major’s attention. He is far too old and obstinate for me to manage.” Anna bowed with an elaborate flourish. “I leave the way clear for you.”

“I doubt he’s about to propose to me. He thinks I’m an interfering busybody.”

Anna mock-sighed. “Oh well, perhaps neither of us will be lady of the manor.” She picked up a letter that lay on the hall table. “Did you see this? It’s addressed to you. Another secret admirer?”

Lucy glanced down at the letter, but there was no return address written on the outside, only her name in a script she didn’t recognize. Was it possible that William Bowden had replied to her so quickly? She went through to the back parlor and used her paper knife to split the wax seal.

“It’s from Susan O’Brien.”

“The maid who was a friend of Mary’s?” Anna followed her in.

“Yes. She says she has something to tell me, and would I please visit at my earliest convenience.” Lucy reread the note and then placed it on her desk. “I wonder what she wants.”

“And why she couldn’t simply write it down, and save you a journey,” Anna remarked.

“She didn’t write this herself. I doubt she can. Mr. Spencer, the butler, wrote it for her. She probably didn’t want him to know her secrets.” Lucy put away the paper knife. “I intended to visit the Hathaways today on another matter. I’ll make sure to speak to Susan while I’m there.”

Anna turned back to the door and groaned. “And I promised Jane I’d help sort out the twins’ linen closet this morning. I suppose I’d better make a start while it’s quiet. Give my regards to the Hathaways and to Major Kurland.”

“Anna, I don’t mind if you want to visit Major Kurland in my stead,” Lucy said. “My usefulness to him is at an end. He no longer needs a nurse, and he would probably prefer a charming companion like you to keep his spirits up.”

Anna looked back over her shoulder. “I don’t want him, Lucy.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.