Murder in the Cards: A 1920s Historical Cozy Mystery (An Evie Parker Mystery Book 4)

by Sonia Parin

  Tom knocked on the door. A young woman greeted them with a smile. When Evie introduced herself, Abigail bobbed a curtsey.

  “Milady, I was just thinking about you. I’ve been sitting here enjoying the sunshine and working on one of your gowns.” She invited them inside her tidy cottage.

  “I have only recently moved into the village so I’m still trying to make the place look like home.” Abigail gestured toward a couple of chairs arranged in front of the fireplace.

  “It looks very pretty.”

  “I’m still waiting for a few more pieces of furniture to arrive. My previous landlady looked after them until I could settle here. She’ll be sending them soon…” Abigail jumped to her feet. “Where are my manners? Can I offer you some tea? Or would you like to look at one of your dresses?”

  Evie knew she had missed her window of opportunity. She couldn’t ask about her previous whereabouts without making it obvious. “Actually, I only wished to let you know you are welcome to come by Halton House, but I see you are quite comfortable working here. Although, now that I think about it, I do need to have a fitting. So… at your convenience, you could come by.”

  “Oh, I should like that very much, milady. I have never been inside a grand house.”

  “Then it’s settled. We’ll leave you to enjoy the sunshine.” Evie waited until they had reached the end of the lane to say, “She looked quite happy working by the window.”

  “You didn’t ask where she had lived before,” Tom said.

  “I tried to find the right moment. I suppose a detective would simply come straight out and ask.” Evie lifted a shoulder. “Clearly, I’m not cut out to be a detective. Then again, I have invited her to visit Halton House, so there is still hope.”

  Tom held the passenger door open for her.

  Evie climbed in and adjusted her hat. “I wonder how the detective would react to hearing from me so soon?” Would he take her seriously? Indeed, she had no idea if he had really decided to pursue the mad honey lead. For all she knew, he had only been humoring her. “I feel I should tell him about seeing Charlotte Davis riding away from the apiary. It might be important. I’ll think about it some more and perhaps telephone him later in the day.”

  Tom put the motor car into gear and set off toward Halton House. “I suppose everyone will have finished their lunch by now.”

  “Since you mentioned it, I must admit I am feeling a little apprehensive. I find myself wondering what I will be returning to. At least Henrietta seems to be in a brighter mood.” Evie tipped her hat up. “Is that Millicent walking on ahead?”

  Tom slowed down.

  “Yes, it is. Oh, do stop. She shouldn’t have to walk the rest of the way.”

  Millicent heard them approaching and stopped to wait. “Milady! I’m ever so glad you stopped. I have been walking up and down the main street all morning and the prospect of walking back to Halton House had me wincing every step of the way.”

  “Why didn’t you call the house and have Edmonds drive in to collect you?”

  “I did call but Edmonds had gone to feed Mrs. Higgins’ cat… you know, the one I’m supposed to be pretending to look after. I guess he hasn’t returned yet and I couldn’t wait to get back.”

  Tom climbed out and helped Millicent climb into the rumble seat.

  “Hold on tight, Millicent,” Evie warned.

  “Oh, my. This is exciting.”

  As Tom drove off, Evie leaned over the seat and asked, “What did you find out?”

  “As I said, I walked up and down. Oh… I saw the vicar. I must say, he is handsome.”

  Evie wondered if there was anyone Millicent didn’t find handsome.

  “We had lunch at the pub and saw him there,” Evie said.

  “That must have been soon after I saw him. This is such a pretty village. I couldn’t help walking down some of the side lanes. Everyone takes such great care of their little gardens.”

  “Where exactly did you see him?” Evie asked.

  “He was coming out of a cottage. He appeared to be in a hurry. I suppose being new to the village he is calling in on his parishioners and introducing himself. Oh, and then Anna Weston saw me in the village and dragged me back to her house for lunch.”

  “Dragged you? Did she physically force you to go with her?”

  Millicent nodded. “She was fairly insistent. Meaning, she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I suppose I should mention I felt reluctant to return to her house. What with not knowing if she is in full possession of her wits. Anyhow, I asked her about the honey and she took that as a hint to offer me some but, of course, I remembered you mentioning it this morning, so I refused because I didn’t want to risk eating mad honey. If you want my opinion, I’d say she is in deep mourning for her friend and for the life she might have had if Mrs. Sheffield had introduced her to that special man. She went on about it for a while and then she brightened.”

  “Did something you said cheer her up?” Evie asked.

  “Oh, no. Apparently, she has a man in her sights now. She’s been baking up a storm because she thinks she needs to get some practice in for when she marries.”

  “Did she mention who this man is?”

  “She says he gives her honey.”

  Evie exchanged a look with Tom that spoke of instant understanding. “Did she happen to mention his name?”

  Millicent shook her head. “She said she wants to keep it a secret until she ties the knot. Apparently, someone else has her eye on him and Anna Weston is afraid of losing him to her competition.” Millicent tilted her head in thought. “She said something about the other person now being free to pursue him, she would stop at nothing to get him.”

  What could that mean? Who else might be after a husband?

  “You did very well, Millicent. Thank you.” Evie straightened in her seat and thought about the Sheffield’s beekeeper. Then she wondered about the other woman.

  Could Mrs. Sheffield’s sister be the woman Anna Weston feared would steal her beau?

  “It makes sense,” Evie said under her breath.

  Chapter Twenty

  As Tom helped Millicent down from the rumble seat, Millicent asked in a worried tone, “Would you like me to return to the village tomorrow, milady?”

  Evie looked up and saw her maid’s cheeks flushing a pretty shade of crimson. She didn’t think it had anything to do with returning to the village. Turning, Evie saw Edgar standing by the porticoed entrance, his gaze fixed on Millicent. She couldn’t quite make out his expression but she thought she detected a stern look.

  Evie swung toward Millicent and saw her looking straight at Edgar.

  Oh, dear.

  Had Edgar caught Millicent’s attention? Her maid loved flirting but that usually involved giggling and fluttering her eyelashes. Evie studied Millicent’s face. Her cheeks remained flushed and she almost looked to be out of breath.

  Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

  Of all the men to be attracted to.

  Edgar could be so proper at times, he might discourage Millicent and Evie didn’t want to see her maid disheartened, or worse, heartbroken.

  “I’m not sure there is anything more for you to find out in the village and I wouldn’t want to put you in peril. For all we know, Anna Weston might be in the midst of some sort of emotional turmoil. We have already witnessed a display of her outburst. Who knows what she might do if you happen to say something she doesn’t agree with.”

  Millicent breathed a sigh of relief. “As much as I have enjoyed the adventure, I must say I am not really cut out for this business. I suppose you will want me to return to town now.” Millicent looked crestfallen.

  “Oh, no… Not unless you don’t want to,” Evie assured her.

  “But you already have a maid.”

  “Yes, but… Well, we have three guests who might need assistance and if you’d like to stay on here, I think we could find something else for you to occupy yourself with.”

  Millicent’s eyes brightened. “T
hat is the best news I have heard since you called to ask me to come here. Thank you, milady.” Millicent bobbed a curtsey and took off on a light sprint leaving Evie and Tom to make their way to the front entrance.

  “What was that about?” Tom asked.

  Evie gave a woeful shake of her head. “In the course of averting a complication, I believe I have just somehow… managed to complicate matters.” With Millicent free from her snooping duties in the village, she would spend more time at Halton House and that meant she would spend more time around Edgar.

  “I see. Actually, I don’t really and now I’m thinking the less I know, the better.”

  Edgar greeted them, “My lady. Mr. Winchester.”

  Evie smiled at him. “Edgar. Is there a particular room in the house I should avoid?”

  Edgar looked puzzled.

  Evie explained, “I wouldn’t want to walk in on a rehearsal I’m not supposed to witness.”

  “Oh, I see.” Edgar gave her a brisk smile. “Everyone is in the library and I believe they are eager to hear news from you.”

  “How is the play progressing?”

  “It has hit a slight delay, milady. It seems the playwrights have floundered somewhat. They are experiencing some difficulties with motives.”

  “Greed is always a solid reason for murder,” Evie suggested. “Revenge. Jealousy.” Evie took off her hat and coat. As she handed them to a footman, she whispered under her breath, “Of course, there is also resentment.” Evie brushed her hands across her face. “Heavens, just listen to me. When did I become an expert on motives for killing?”

  Tom took her elbow and guided her toward the library. “I think you need to find a distraction or talk it through with the others.”

  She gave him a brisk smile. “There’s an idea. Let’s stoke the flames.”

  “Come on, the Countess of Woodridge doesn’t drag her feet. Where’s this reluctance coming from?”

  “The thought of Mrs. Sheffield being killed has put me on edge. I think I’m almost afraid to discover the truth,” Evie admitted.

  They entered the library and found everyone slumped on their seats looking utterly bored. Seeing Evie and Tom, they all straightened, including Henrietta.

  “Oh, Evangeline. We’ve been feeling rather lost without you.”

  Evie grimaced. “And you want to know what news I bring from the village?”

  “That would be a good start.” Henrietta turned toward the door where Edgar stood. “Edgar, I think we could all do with some tea.”

  “Certainly, my lady.”

  Henrietta patted the chair beside her. “Come and sit down and tell us everything that has happened.”

  Evie settled down and tried to organize her thoughts. So much had happened that morning. She glanced around and saw Tom moving toward his favorite spot by the fireplace. Grinning at her, he gave her a small nod of encouragement.

  “Henrietta, why do you assume something has happened?” Evie gave a nervous laugh. “Fine, yes. Tom and I had a busy morning. But I am most interested in Millicent’s tale so I will share that with you first. She had an encounter with Anna Weston. It appears she has her eye on someone and I’m thinking he might be Mr. Sheffield’s beekeeper, Benjamin Nelson.” As Evie explained about their visit to Mr. Sheffield’s apiary and their encounter with his beekeeper, Benjamin Nelson, she wondered if Charlotte Davis should be included in the equation. It would certainly enhance the tale and Evie was sure the scriptwriters would appreciate it. Anna Weston had mentioned having competition and Evie couldn’t think of a better candidate than Charlotte Davis…

  “Go on,” Henrietta encouraged.

  Everyone shifted to the edge of their seats.

  “Of course, it’s nothing but wild speculation on my part, but I think there might be something to it. Anna Weston had hoped Mrs. Sheffield would introduce her to someone suitable.” And then she had died, Evie thought.

  Henrietta scoffed at the idea. “I doubt that woman had it in her to pave the way for anyone’s happiness.”

  “Precisely,” Evie said. “We know she enjoyed controlling people and I’ve been thinking of her as a queen bee. They’re at the top of the food chain and only their wellbeing matters. In Mrs. Sheffield’s case, someone else’s happiness would only diminish her happiness.”

  Evie saw a few raised eyebrows. “Now that I think about it, she was probably the type to string people along with promises of happiness.”

  “I think she had other plans for you,” Henrietta said.

  Phillipa clicked her fingers. “She probably thought you were beyond her reach and far too content in your life. And… and she felt that cast a shadow on her life and, as you said, that would diminish her own happiness. So, she decided to bring you down a notch by making your life miserable.”

  Henrietta gave a pensive nod. “I have known a great many people who were not content to see others enjoying happiness. And don’t get me started on those who take great joy in mistreating their servants. I have a pet theory about that. Let me think… it’s something to do with a person’s sense of self-worth and illusions of grandeur. They think they can only feel important by belittling others.”

  Evie got up and strode around the library.

  “That’s Evie’s thinking walk. She is working through a theory,” Phillipa said.

  Humming under her breath, Evie stopped in the middle of the room. “This might be a far-fetched idea, but here goes. Anna Weston told Millicent she wants to get married and Mrs. Sheffield reneged on her offer to find her someone suitable. Anna Weston then went ahead and found someone herself but Mrs. Sheffield objected to her choice. A beekeeper would be too low in the social scale for someone of her acquaintance.”

  “You think Anna Weston killed Mrs. Sheffield as a way to stop her from disapproving?” Phillipa asked. “But why did she make such a scene when she came here to accuse the dowager?” Phillipa raised her hand. “Oh, I see.”

  “See what?” Henrietta asked.

  “Anna Weston accused you of killing Mrs. Sheffield as a way of drawing attention away from herself,” Phillipa explained.

  “Let’s run with the idea and fill in some gaps,” Evie suggested. “Anna Weston is not getting any younger. This is probably her last chance at happiness. She has a roof over her head. But she’s still lacking the one thing she wants the most. A husband. Who knows? Maybe she has actually fallen in love with the beekeeper. But how can she be happy with Mrs. Sheffield always around to criticize her choice?” Evie stopped to think about that. Had Mrs. Sheffield been that obsessive about her control over people? Evie turned to Henrietta. “How would you feel if I fell in love with a beekeeper and decided to marry him?”

  Henrietta’s eyes brightened. “My dear Evangeline. We already have honey. Could you not fall in love with a duke? Yes, I think that would be preferable.”

  “In other words, you would object to me falling in love with a beekeeper because in your eyes, he would always be a beekeeper.”

  “Well, think about it, Evangeline. What would you talk about during dinner? I think we would all soon tire of hearing about bees. I do wish you’d consider marrying a duke. Of course, that’s not to say all dukes are engaging conversationalists. Heavens, I have met a few dull ones…”

  When Evie sighed, Henrietta added, “I see, you actually wish me to object to the beekeeper. Yes, fine. I object.”

  “Thank you, Henrietta.”

  Henrietta tilted her head. “Does that mean you will now try to kill me so I won’t stand in the way of your rather imperfect love match?”

  “Yes, that’s precisely what I might do.”

  “Oh, I now understand the point you were trying to make.”

  Tom brushed his hand across his chin. “Didn’t Millicent mention someone else also had their eye on the beekeeper, or rather, on this mystery man Anna has found?”

  “Yes. You read my mind and she actually said Anna Weston had competition from someone else,” Evie said and turned to Henrietta.
“We believe that person might be Charlotte Davis. We saw her riding her bicycle and we think she had been to visit the beekeeper. I don’t know anything about her but I’m going to guess and say she is not married.”

  Now Henrietta looked confused. “Yes, but what does all that have to do with Mrs. Sheffield’s death? Are you now saying there are two killers?”

  “According to Evie’s unsubstantiated theory,” Phillipa said, “Mrs. Sheffield threatened to ruin their chances with the beekeeper and so they did away with her.”

  Evie didn’t think both women had colluded to kill Mrs. Sheffield but… maybe one of them had.

  “Perhaps including Charlotte Davis is too much of a long-shot.” However, she thought Anna Weston made the perfect candidate. “We already know Anna Weston is inclined to act rashly,” Evie mused.

  “And you think she gave Mrs. Sheffield mad honey?” Tom asked. “Where would she get it from?”

  That’s for the police to find out, Evie thought.

  The door to the library opened. Edgar stood aside and a footman entered carrying a large tray with a pot of tea and cups.

  “I take it your theory has something to do with your foray into the village,” Henrietta said. “What else did you discover?”

  Evie gave a distracted nod as she sifted through the morning’s events. Retracing her steps, she remembered they had gone to the dressmaker’s store.

  Why had Mrs. Green been in the store by herself? She hired servants. One would think she would organize them to help her clean up. “Oh,” Evie exclaimed.

  Phillipa clapped her hands. “Evie’s had another bright idea.”

  “I just remembered. Mrs. Green gave a false account of Henrietta’s altercation with Mrs. Sheffield. Why did she do that?”

  “To throw everyone off her trail,” Phillipa suggested and grinned. “I believe Evie has found another murder suspect.”

  Henrietta looked confused. “Are we now pointing the finger of suspicion at Mrs. Green? Who will make our gowns? She is the only dressmaker of note for miles around.”