Murder in the Abbey by Susan Kiernan-Lewis

Author:Susan Kiernan-Lewis [Kiernan-Lewis, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: San Marco Press
Published: 2016-03-24T13:00:00+00:00

Maggie took a deep breath and placed her hands on the table as if to steady herself.

Roger had cheated Gabrielle’s family? And then thrown a bone to Gabrielle when she had trouble adjusting to it?

Oh, Roger…

“In Roger’s defense,” Jill said, “that con was in the days when he thought he couldn’t get enough money to feel safe. It was right about the time he and Madeline bought the Abbey.”

A sudden splinter of fear shot through Maggie. Was Laurent involved with that con? When did Jill say it was?

She looked at Jill who was watching her, a smirk distorting her lips.

She wants me to ask if Laurent was involved.

I’d as soon eat my rubber riding boot.

Maggie shrugged and smiled. “Oh, well,” she said.

Nigel came into the breakfast room followed by Madeline and Anastasia. Maggie was surprised not to see Madeline earlier. But what with Anastasia publicly announcing last night that the cops would be coming for Madeline it was no surprise that the poor woman had taken a little time off this morning.

Nigel went to the breakfast table and piled kippers, sausages, eggs and scones on his plate before going to the head of the dining room table.

Not far enough away, Maggie thought, as she watched him methodically shovel the food into his mouth.

Anastasia nodded regally to both Jill and Maggie and simply stood at the door surveying the room. Madeline stacked empty dishes onto a nearby tray and began tidying the area.

“I’m only sorry Annette isn’t here for my announcement,” Anastasia said.

Jill turned to look at Anastasia. “This should be good,” she said out of the corner of her mouth to Maggie.

Will entered the room without greeting anyone and went immediately to the food buffet.

Wow. Roger’s relatives are just all class all the way, Maggie thought as she watched Will serve himself.

Anastasia waited until he’d taken his seat. Madeline turned and waited patiently.

“As most of you know,” Anastasia said, “I am now the major shareholder of the Abbey.”

Anastasia paused as if half expecting there might be applause after this statement, underscoring just how deluded the woman was, Maggie thought with amazement.

“After much deliberation and thought, I have decided that the Abbey will not take part in the ride to hounds this year.”

Jill was on her feet in an instance, her teacup tipped over in its saucer.

“You can’t do that!” she said.

Anastasia looked at Jill with satisfaction. “Well, yes I can. There will be no hunt crossing the Abbey grounds this year.”

“Anastasia,” Madeline said, “you said we would discuss it before making any—”

“I insist you not call me by my Christian name, Mrs. Mears,” Anastasia said hotly. “And I’m sure I made no promises. My mind is quite made up.”

“The hunt has always come across Abbey grounds!” Jill said. “For four hundred years!”

“You just made that number up,” Anastasia said imperiously as she glanced over at her son who had stopped eating and was staring at her with his mouth open in astonishment. “In any case—”

“Lady Bentley,” Madeline ground out, her fists clenched tightly by her sides.

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