Murder At Medley Park by Marilyn Clay

Author:Marilyn Clay
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency murder mystery series, Female sleuth historical mysteries, clean historical mysteries for teens, Historical mystery thriller suspense, Traditional British detective series, British Cozy Mysteries, Eleanor Meyers - Joan Smith - Sarah Ladd - Candice Hern - Heidi Ashworth, Sheri Cobb South - Victoria Thompson - T K Kinsey - Tasha Alexander - Stephanie Barron - Carola Dunn, Kathy Lynn Emerson - Melanie Dickerson - Ashley Gardner - Adele Clee - Heidi Ashworth
Publisher: Marilyn Clay
Published: 2018-04-16T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

The Maid’s Revelation

Tuesday Evening, 7 August 1821

After dinner that same night, I decided the time had come to speak with my lady’s maid Tilda. Upon retiring to my bedchamber, I gave the bell-pull a tug summoning the girl to my suite.

“Good evenin’, miss.” The cheery little maid greeted me with a smile as she entered my bedchamber. “I ‘pect ye’ must be quite weary with all that’s been a-happ’nin’, plus your work and the service for Miss Martha today.”

“I confess I do feel a bit weary, Tilda, but before you help me into bed, I wish to speak with you about something. Do come and sit down.” I moved to the cushioned window seat, a hand indicating the chair that sat before the desk. “Draw it up a bit closer, if you will.”

Although curiosity registered upon her face, she did as I instructed, however once seated, she blurted out, “Have I done somethin’ wrong, miss?”

“On the contrary.” I smiled. “I merely wish to ask you a few questions.”

“If’n ye’ means to ask me about Miss Martha’s passin’, miss; Constable done asked us. I dinna’ know what to tell ‘im, either.”

From the anxious look on her face, I knew she already felt a trifle uncomfortable. “I hope you and the other servants were truthful with the constable, Tilda. I ask only that you be truthful with me. And, that the matter we speak of . . . be kept private between us.”

The girl was chewing on her lower lip. “I tol’ him I don’t know nothin’ about it, miss. I never even been in Miss Martha’s room.”

In the hope of putting the young girl at ease, I again smiled. “So you are saying the constable questioned you and all the other servants in regard to Miss Martha’s death, did he?”

Her gray eyes now quite wide, Tilda nodded vigorously. “We was all called in together, miss.”

“Ah. Then, I shall say no more on the matter. What I would really like to know is how long you have been employed at Medley Park?”

Relief was evident on her face as she shifted on the chair. “I come here when I was a wee mite. Ten, perhaps nine, I canna’ say for certain. Seems like I been here forever.”

“And, has living here been pleasant for you?”

“Pleasant enough, miss.” Nodding, her limp blond hair fluttered beneath her cap. “Lady Medley is right fair, she is. I’m pleased to have a bed to sleep in at night, and plenty of food in m’ belly, if that’s wot ye’ mean, miss.”

“That is part of what I mean. I also wondered if you have had occasion to be in the company of Miss Hannah, or Miss Isabella? And, do you find them agreeable?”

“They’s nice, too. Especially Miss Hannah.” She grinned. “Most ever’one likes her. I don’t know ‘bout Miss Isabella; she just come here a bit ago.” She paused. “Seems a bit of a odd duck to me. I seen her climb a tree once.”

“Climb a tree?”

Tilda nodded, the hint of a smile playing about her lips.

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