Gin & Murder: A Violet Carlyle Cozy Historical Mystery (The Violet Carlyle Mysteries Book 7) by Beth Byers

Author:Beth Byers [Byers, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2019-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

When Violet returned to her room, she wasn’t surprised to find the chalkboard despite the late hour. She was, however, surprised to find Kate sleeping on the end of her bed with Victor sitting next to her, holding her hand. Then there was Denny writing neatly on the board—who would have even thought the lazy man had such perfect penmanship? That required actual practice, something Violet wouldn’t have expected in Denny of all people. Lila was sitting near the fire, cocktail in hand, box of chocolates on her lap, feet up on the opposite chair.

“This is all quite unexpected,” Violet told them. She read the board over. There were neat lines separating the names of everyone in the house. Denny had included young Geoffrey but left off the servants.

“Just starting the best part,” Denny said, glancing over his shoulder with a grin.

“I was a suspect,” Violet told them all at once. “They asked very insinuating questions of me. Miss Emily Allen struck harder than she knew with that article of hers. Between Father and Jack, I believe I’ve moved down the suspect list, though I am certainly still a person of interest.”

“Where is Jack?” Victor asked with lifted brows and a frown that said he was displeased Violet had returned alone.

“Speaking to the doctor about a rather startling revelation.”

Denny held his hands out for the information as if receiving a rather exciting gift.

“It’s a bit morbid, my lad, how much you enjoy this madness.”

He grinned unrepentantly and without an ounce of shame. “Darling Vi. I didn’t do the killing. I won’t apologize for admiring the way your mind works.”

“Jack is a much better investigator than I am,” she told Denny. “Why aren’t you following him around?”

“Yes, darling, we all know that. The problem is Jack! He follows the rules and walks the straight path. He won’t give details. You, my dear sweet devil, you follow the rumors, pry into the secrets, put them all up neatly on the board, and string them together as though you’re making a necklace.”

Violet paused, stepping back. “Victor, wake up your love and take her to her bedroom.”

“I’ll make sure she’s locked in and then come check on you, darling Vi.” Victor didn’t wake Kate, just lifted her into his arms. It was odd, Violet thought, that Kate was tired. Was she getting sick? If she did, would they get sick too? Violet couldn’t imagine anything worse than being truly ill in Lady Eleanor’s home. It was bad enough being ill when Victor turned into a mean infant.

Vi glanced at Kate and Victor and hoped it was only exhaustion. It had been a long night, and Violet was sure that if she wasn’t feeling quite so haunted, she’d be craving her bed too.

“Out,” she told Denny, glancing at Lila, who slowly put down her cocktail and cocked her head at Violet.

“Did you want me to stay with you? Denny can warm his toes on a hot water bottle instead of my feet if you need.

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