Florence Nightingale Comedy Mysteries Box Set by Barbara Silkstone

Author:Barbara Silkstone [Silkstone, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Lord Melbourne waved the lady in yellow away, but she came fluttering at him again. Perhaps a colossal flyswatter would take her down? The butler cleared his throat just as I was imagining thwacking the odd apparition.

Two heads snapped in our direction. Even at a distance His Lordship seemed pale, but upon seeing our little group he turned paper white. Was he ill or was it the shock of being caught in an embarrassing situation with a giant insect wearing yellow chiffon?

As we approached, the butterfly took a possessive stance before Lord Melbourne, who quickly moved in front of her. “Oh look dearest,” she said, “a nun, a midget, and a granny—and a lady who looks vaguely familiar have come to visit. You did not mention we were expecting guests.”

She was no beauty but she had a quick wit. So witty was she that I was ready to set our murderess on her. I wondered if Beryl was armed. Florence ignored her. I wished I could. I might be short but I was no midget.

“Lord Melbourne,” Florence performed a bit of a curtsy. “We intended to pay you a surprise social call today, but since yesterday things have changed in a most alarming way. The Queen wishes Miss Throckmorten and me to share some urgent information with you. Is there someplace we can speak, privately?”

Our host gathered his wits and greeted us. “Mrs. Throckmorten, what a delight to see you again. You are looking radiant as ever.” Granny stammered and turned beet red. Lord Melbourne raised an eyebrow as he recognized Lady Beryl from the Queen’s court, but he merely nodded not singling her out.

The butterfly refused to be ignored, inserting herself between Florence and His Lordship. With a deep sigh, Lord M presented the insect. “Allow me to introduce my wife’s cousin, Mrs. Cecile Ponsonby.” He then took care to introduce us beginning with Granny and ending with me. “I hope you have brought your sense of fun Miss Poppy as I am in need of a bit of levity.”

I almost fainted dead away. Lord M did enjoy my humor! I struggled to find something witty to say, but before I could Florence repeated her request for privacy.

Mrs. Ponsonby chirped, “Shall we go to the parlor for tea? I believe cook has made some scrumptious apricot cakes. We can have a private chat over tea.”

Florence turned on the woman, “Perhaps you can begin without us? I believe Lady Beryl is feeling peeked. Tea and cake would suit her. We shan’t keep Lord Melbourne but a short time.” She cut one of those special Florence looks at our host as she said, “It there a private room where Mrs. Throckmorten may put up her feet?”

It was an odd way to get her point across, but I was relieved to hear Florence include Granny in our meeting. I feared leaving her alone with Lady Beryl and the dingy cousin of the deceased Lady Caroline Lamb.

Before the stunned Mrs. Ponsonby could

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