The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder by Rachel McMillan

Author:Rachel McMillan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736966412
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Still under the spell of the King Edward, Jasper and Merinda had maneuvered close to Chief Tipton and Tertius Montague. They straightened their backs against the wall, pretending to observe the couples.

“Ah, Officer Forth,” Tipton said, approaching with a glass of champagne.

Jasper stood at attention. “Sir.”

Tipton pointed an accusing finger at his breast. “Lucky you’re a corker of a cop.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Come, Mr. Mayor. Meet young Forth, one of our finest investigators.”

Mayor Montague approached and shook Jasper’s hand. “Ah, yes. I recognize your face, young man.” Tipton noticed Merinda. “Now, Forth, do introduce us to your young lady.”

Jasper coughed. The name Merinda Herringford had so often been trumpeted across the front page of the Hog that it would not be well received here.

“Harrison. Annie Harrison,” said Merinda. She held out her hand and used a name from a Doyle story.

Montague raised it to his lips. “Charmed, Miss Harrison.”

As soon as propriety allowed, Jasper and Merinda disengaged themselves and returned to the dance floor. Jasper smiled, watching her. “You’re really quite a wonderful dancer.”

Merinda brightened at the compliment. “Do you think so?”

Jasper nodded. As the dance ended, they spotted Jem and motioned her over.

“Where is Gavin?” Jasper asked.

“My escort is a cad,” Jem said.

“But you’re smiling.” Jasper was perplexed.

Jem blushed. “Am I?”

Merinda leaned across Jasper. “You’re very much smiling, Jem.”

Jem tried to straighten her mouth. To no avail.

“What say we head home?” Merinda asked.

Jasper and Jem nodded in unison.

A moment later, they were down the stairs and at the street. They were hailing a cab when Jem stumbled into a face she knew well.

“Tippy? What are you doing here? It’s midnight!”

Tippy’s eyes were red and her arms hugged her chest. “Did you have a nice evening with your escort, Jemima?”

“Not really. He’s not with me, as you can see. I am going home with my friends.”

Jasper and Merinda gathered themselves into the taxi, but Jem held back with Tippy.

“What’s bothering you, Tippy?”

“You could have any man you want, Jemima Watts.” Tippy’s bottom lip trembled. “That fellow from the Hog. Anyone, really.”

“Tippy, have you been drinking? Jasper! Hold up a minute. Come, Tippy. Let me take you home. Come on, we’ll take you.”

Tippy shook her head.

Jem placed a hand on her shoulder. “Tippy, please. You can come back to our flat if you need to.”

“Let go of me!” Tippy squirmed away and ran down the street.

Jem watched her go, then ducked into the cab.

“What was that?” Jasper wondered as the cab rambled along. Jem peeked out the window, but Tippy’s figure grew smaller until she was nothing but a shadowy speck against the streetlights.

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