The French for Murder: An absolutely addictive historical cozy mystery (A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Book 10) by Verity Bright

Author:Verity Bright [Bright, Verity]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781803143231
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2022-05-29T16:00:00+00:00

21

It had seemed like a justifiable white lie when Eleanor told Damboise she was due on the Fitzwilliams’ yacht shortly, because her intuition had urged her to cut the conversation short. But now, she really was expected.

‘And expected seventeen minutes ago.’ Clifford tutted as he slowed the car to a stop at the tropically landscaped entrance to the marina. He nodded in thanks as a wiry man darted out of his white-painted hut to haul up the barrier.

Eleanor ran a hand over her wide-legged emerald silk trousers, which matched her beaded capped-sleeve blouse. ‘I confess, I might have taken longer than intended choosing a suitable outfit.’ They passed under the barrier and drove along the waterfront. ‘Honestly, though, it took me ages since all my previous times afloat were largely on sailboats, not luxury yachts. And it was spent in comfortable togs you could haul ropes in or hang over the side wearing.’ She glanced at his impeccable black suit. ‘Hmm, “scruffy-wear”, I believe you would have called it. That’s assuming, of course, you could pronounce that whilst sniffing disapprovingly.’

‘I doubt it, my lady.’ He stopped the car and gestured through the windscreen. ‘She is an exceptionally fine craft.’

‘Gracious! She must be a hundred and sixty footer,’ Eleanor breathed.

Resplendent in ivory paint with a forest of polished handrails, mid and aft masts, the two upper decks of the yacht were strung with blue and white lights, darkness already having begun to fall. The first deck was a long, enclosed run of sumptuously appointed wood, velvet and brass, the second a partially covered seating area for at least forty. A warm yellow glow shone out of each of the portholes of the below decks.

At the top of the central gangway, Eleanor reflected that she didn’t seem to be half as late for the boat’s departure as she was for the partying. The whole scene was one of shimmering outfits, swaying lights and swinging music. She also wasn’t the last to arrive, as her sharp hearing quickly discovered.

‘You know how these actor types love to make an entrance, Kitten.’ Floyd’s unmistakable voice floated up through an elongated hatch that gave access to a swirling wood staircase. ‘So we can’t chug off just yet. Besides, what’s the hurry? We can all party swell enough tied up in this boat park.’

Eleanor dropped to her haunches, tipping the contents of her handbag onto the floor in case she was discovered. She could see the back of Kitty’s dark-haired head bobbing as she spoke. Her tone was surprisingly sharp.

‘It’s called a marina, Floyd. And we’re not actually here to party, remember!’

Eleanor ducked her head. This was no time to be caught eavesdropping.

‘Come on, Kitten,’ Floyd pleaded. ‘The plan’s going just great. But because of the hiccup with Armstrong, we gotta play along a little more. I—’ He raised his voice. ‘Hey, look, honey, there’s the king and queen of partying.’

‘Darlings!’ Kitty called out brightly. ‘It would have been a waste of champagne if you hadn’t made it.

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