“So it wasn’t Sir Maurice, the phantom horseman, after all.”
“You seem disappointed,” I said.
“I suppose I am.”
Ten minutes later we arrived on foot at the base of Harry’s tree house. There, tethered to a nearby bush stood Thunder.
“Harry? Are you up there?” I shouted.
A face peered out but it wasn’t Harry’s. It was Rupert’s dressed in an old flying helmet, goggles, and white scarf.
“Good afternoon,” said Rupert. “We’re manning the lookout here and I’m receiving orders from Squadron Leader Bigglesworth.”
“Be quiet, Honeychurch,” I heard a voice say. “You’ll wake up the dormice! They’re hibernating.”
“We’ll come down,” whispered Rupert.
Moments later, father and son emerged from behind the tree. They were dressed identically. Harry was clutching Ella Fitzgerald.
Rupert pointed to his outfit. “Found these in the attic. Incredible stuff up in our attic. Had no idea. There’s an old Hornby train set that belonged to my grandfather. Still in original boxes. You should look at it. I’d appreciate your opinion.”
“A train set,” I said slowly. “I think I’ve had enough of trains for the time being but maybe in a week or two.”
“Flying Officer Stanford,” Harry barked in his alter-ego voice. “It’s official. I am not going back to the front. This war is over.”
“As a matter of fact, sir,” I said. “Neither am I.”
“Oh Kat!” he yelled. “Wicked!”
“We should celebrate!” Mum exclaimed. “Come along, Kat. What a day!”
Back at the Carriage House, a bouquet of flowers sat on the front doorstep.
“David just won’t let go, will he?” I grumbled.
“Let’s look at what he has to say this time.” Mum picked up a large embossed envelope. “Oh,” she said. “These flowers are not for you, they’re for me.”
“A ha,” I said. “So he’s trying to win you over now so you will put in a good word for him.”
“How very transparent.” Mum turned the envelope over and frowned. “How odd. This is the Goldfinch Publishing crest.”
“Go on. Open it, Mum. Maybe your books have just been sold to a big Hollywood producer!”
Mum’s jaw dropped. “Well I never. Look.”
Inside was a travel wallet holding two airline tickets and an itinerary with details of a luxurious long weekend in a private villa on the Amalfi Coast.
Mum handed me the cover letter. “Read it to me.”
“Your hostess Krystalle Storm sends her regrets that she can’t join you but hopes you will have a pleasant stay.”
Mum looked to me in confusion as a note card fluttered to the ground.
I picked it up. “I don’t believe it.” I gasped. “Listen to this. ‘Thought you girls might like a holiday. Regards, David.’ Oh, Mum. That’s so thoughtful. So sweet of him.”
“I thought you bid for this on eBay,” said Mum sharply. “What’s it got to do with David?”
“Didn’t I tell you?”
“You don’t tell me anything.”
“There was a last-minute snafu—but now everything is alright. But of course we can’t—”
“Let’s go,” said Mum suddenly. “Let’s go tomorrow! It will probably be the last holiday you’ll get now that you’re opening your new business down here.”
“Yes. There’s a lot of hard work ahead.”
Mum gave me a hug. “I’m so happy you are staying.”
“Someone has to keep you out of trouble, but promise me one thing,” I said. “Let’s agree never to end up like Joyce and Patty.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
About the Author
HANNAH DENNISON began her writing career in 1977 as a trainee reporter for a small West Country newspaper in Devon, England. Hannah is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, the Willamette Writers, Crime Writers’ Association, and Toastmasters International. She is also the author of the Vicky Hill mysteries. This is her second novel in the Honeychurch Hall series. You can sign up for email updates here.
ALSO BY HANNAH DENNISON
Murder at Honeychurch Hall
The Vicky Hill Series
Thieves!
Exposé!
Scoop!
A Vicky Hill Exclusive!
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
About the Author
Also by Hannah Dennison
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
A THOMAS DUNNE BOOK FOR MINOTAUR BOOKS.
An imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.
DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYCHURCH HALL. Copyright © 2015 by Hannah Dennison. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.thomasdunnebooks.com
www.minotaurbooks.com
Cover design by James Iacobelli
Cover illustration by Mary Ann Lashner
eBooks may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to [email protected].
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-00780-3 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4668-7397-1 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466873971
First Edition: May 2015
Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall Page 26
