Murder at Yuletide: a 1920s cozy historical mystery (A Ginger Gold Mystery Book 22) by Lee Strauss

Author:Lee Strauss [Strauss, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781774092408
Publisher: La Plume Press
Published: 2023-01-25T13:00:00+00:00

15

Though Ginger adored the Christmas season, she was also happy when all the celebrations were over, especially this time, with the added difficulties brought on by the snow. One needed a moment to breathe before the next big to-do, only a few days away. She loved hosting parties at Hartigan House and enjoyed planning the New Year’s Eve bash with Felicia, but a hot thread of worry curled in her stomach as she contemplated cancelling. Ginger loved the snow, but why couldn’t it have come before Christmas or after New Year’s Day? Such dratted bad timing.

However, the weather was the one thing man couldn’t control, no matter how modern the world now was or how advanced science had become. Ginger was content to relax in the arms of her handsome husband in the sitting room in front of a toasty fire, with Boss curled up beside her.

The sitting room was her favourite place to unwind. The furniture curled towards a large stone fireplace, always lit over the winter months. A Waterhouse painting hung over the hearth, The Mermaid, which featured a mystical red-headed creature that reminded Ginger of a painting done of her late mother. Tall, south-facing windows let in an abundance of natural light, and a sideboard on the opposite wall was always stocked with brandy and other spirits and clean crystal glasses.

Ginger and Haley had spent a lot of time working on cases when they’d first arrived from Boston. When Haley returned to America, Basil had gradually taken her spot. Haley seemed to have a sense that this time was meant for Ginger and Basil, and despite Ginger’s protests, had graciously excused herself after a quick drink and retired to her room where she swore she had a pile of reading to do.

After a sip of brandy, the drink Ginger and Basil both enjoyed at the end of a long day, she said, “I love spending time with the children, but spending Boxing Day without our servants, especially without Nanny Green, made me appreciate our staff all the more.”

Basil chuckled. “I’ve grown rather attached to the lot of them myself.”

Ginger held back a laugh. When she and Basil had begun their courtship, he lived alone in his Mayfair townhouse with no servants. Marrying her and moving into Hartigan House had been a significant change for him and evidence of his love for her.

“At least Mrs. Beasley had left a lot of food in the refrigerator.”

Basil patted his belly. “And delicious food indeed.”

Ginger gazed at her husband, now curious about his day. “How was work? Any news about the case?”

Basil inhaled deeply, then said, “Morris doesn’t want me on the case.”

Ginger stared in alarm. “Don’t tell me. Conflict of interest?”

“Indeed. I argued that I wasn’t related to Miss Hartigan, had never even met her, and because Pippins was on the staff where I lived, he would likely be more open to speaking to me when he awoke than a stranger.”

“And Morris relented on those grounds?”

“He gave me until the new year,” Basil grunted.

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