Bridget lifted her chin. “Well, of course you would, you’re the vicar’s wife and a friend.”
Maggie Fairchild joined Berdie and her adversary, her smile as warm as the afternoon. “Isn’t it wonderful?” She waved her hand across the garden. “The white arched trellis is alive with trailing wisteria, made even grander with the water feature for background. The large pots of variegated flowers on either side are perfect.” She took a deep breath. “The white marquee is lovely inside, near ready I would say, for the lunch after. And the House of Helensfield cake, what more could one want?”
Mrs. McDermott stared at Maggie.
“Lovely, indeed.” Berdie looked on as a black clad trio took their seats and tuned their stringed instruments.
Maggie patted her gloved hands in glee. “I must get to the front garden, so I can direct the guests in the right direction.”
“Thank you, Maggie.” Berdie watched the woman toddle off in her new dress and dyed-to-match hat.
“Only a handful coming, really.” Bridget sighed. “All they need do is walk around back.”
Berdie knew it was best to leave this conversation when, “Take it up with the wedding planner,” sprang from her tongue.
Berdie caught sight of Lillie off to the side of the garden and found it the perfect escape. “Excuse me, Bridget, I must speak with Lillie.” Birdie left the frowning woman and walked toward her friend. “How are you feeling?” Berdie asked once she reached Lillie’s side.
“Rather nervous, actually.” She opened and closed her fingers. “No, Berdie. Terribly nervous.”
Berdie put her hand on Lillie’s shoulder. “Are you sure you’re ready? It’s only been a month, Lillie. That’s a short time for recovery from the trauma you faced.”
“Sooner’s better than later.” Lillie was beautiful in a stone-colored linen dress that hugged her slender body. “We’ve had just the one rehearsal.” She spread her fingers widely.
“Lillie, simply let the joy of the moment take you. Don’t worry, it will all go wonderfully.”
“A bit more wonderfully than your hat, I should hope.” Lillie’s lip held the corner of a smile.
“There it is, ducky. Enjoy the moment.”
Lillie let go an easy laugh.
Linden Davies appeared with Madeline and Phillip, who made their way to the guest chairs. Linden, at ease and smiling, gave Lillie a quick nod.
Lillie returned the smile.
Elise Davies came around and made way to her family. After speaking to Linden, she gave Madeline’s yellow dress ribbon a gentle fix and smoothed Phillip’s hair. “Fifteen minutes.” she called to Berdie and Lillie as she departed.
And within fifteen minutes the seats were filled and all were ready to be witness to the ceremony.
Berdie sat in the far back so she could readily monitor the marquee, should it be necessary. From the corner of her eye she recognized a uniformed presence.
“Which one of you lot has a blue Fiesta?” Goodnight bellowed and lifted a small pad from which he read, “2A2Y3N.” He glared at the gathering. “You’re blocking Mrs. Hall’s drive, so get off your bum and go move it.”
“Three cheers for Goodnight,” someone called. Several broke into applause while others appeared unaffected as an embarrassed guest sneaked from the chairs and headed to the front garden.
Since Lillie’s rescue, Albert Goodnight wore his recognition from the villagers for a job well done like a second uniform. It garnered him a week’s free tea at the Copper Kettle, half price pints at the Upland Arms, even a free side of beef from Cathcart Carlyle’s Mobile Meat Mart. Although the feather in his hat was momentarily a well-lit ostrich plume, Albert’s general ineptitude was already dimming the afterglow of his achievement. Berdie expected it to go out altogether any time, now, but at least it kept him quiet about the clandestine meeting between the two of them.
Chest out, Albert lifted his chin, nodded, and offered a pompous grin. “Get on with your do,” he piped and left as quickly as he arrived. And none too soon.
Hugh in his vestments, and the groom looking smart in his summer suit, made way from the south terrace to take their seats in the front chairs. Berdie had to admit, Gareth Holmes looked quite handsome. No longer wearing a sling, he carried himself in quite a distinguished manner.
Lillie stood near the musicians, who began their opening notes.
Music sprang from the trio’s instruments, and Lillie joined with her voice. “Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; To His feet thy tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who like me His praise should sing?”
Berdie wondered that the singing of it at the Queen’s own wedding, those many years ago, couldn’t have been any more moving than Lillie’s performance. The beauty of it all filled the back garden.
Hugh and Mr. Holmes stood and made way to the trellis.
Everyone was on their feet as Olivia Mikalos came forward on the song’s last verse. Her composed sea-green eyes were complemented by her suit and hat, both the color of oyster shells. In her hands, she held a small mixed bouquet, but it was the radiance of her face that was the most notable feature.
Hugh began the ceremony, and all were seated.
Bridget and Maggie sat next to Berdie, Bridget closest.
Berdie sighed. Was there no escaping?
“Shameful,” Bridget murmured. “A murderer marrying in our church garden.”
“Gareth Holmes is not a murderer, Bridget,” Berdie corrected.
“That was the other chap,” Maggie whispered. “This fellow just took women’s money.”
“Yes, well.” Bridget crossed her arms. “Our own Constable Goodnight, to his credit, certainly found them out.”
Berdie bit her tongue. “Let me remind you, again, that Mr. Holmes has been fully cooperative with the law which, in turn, has garnered him a bit of legal favor.”
“A suspended sentence with a five year probation,” Maggie exacted.
“Can a leopard change his spots? He’s nothing more than a snake in the grass,” Mrs. McDermott said too loudly.
“Shh,” Maggie counteracted.
“As I have learned, even snakes can shed their skins, Mrs. McDermott.” Berdie couldn’t believe she was repeating what Bridget had been told not a few times the past three days. “Mr. Holmes has repented of his criminal activity and is taking instruction with Hugh. He’s seeking a whole new direction for his life.”
“Convenient.” Mrs. McDermott squeezed her crossed arms even more tightly.
“Was it convenient to be targeted in a hit and run, to suffer a bullet wound for the sake of his beloved?”
Much to Berdie’s delight, Mr. Whipple emerged from the marquee and seamlessly placed a chair on Berdie’s clear side. “Table posies all in place,” he whispered and sat down.
“I should think we need to keep an eye on them lest they be stolen by the groom,” Mrs. McDermott nearly growled.
“She’s on about Mr. Holmes again, then?” Mr. Whipple whispered.
Berdie nodded.
“Funny thing, dandelions,” Mr. Whipple said loudly enough for Bridget and Maggie to turn their heads.
“What are you saying?” Maggie leaned forward.
The fellow did likewise. “Most people see dandelions as invasive weeds, but their leaves are potent with nutrition and tasty when prepared correctly.”
Bridget frowned and stared at the fellow.
He nodded toward the groom. “It’s all perspective, isn’t it?”
Berdie smiled, though she knew Mrs. McDermott didn’t.
“Did you know Mr. Holmes is a gardener?” Mr. Whipple leaned his body across Berdie to speak to the women.
Bridget humphed.
“Spoke at length with him about it yesterday. His White Pearl semi-double rose won a place at a county garden show last year.”
“That’s wonderful,” Maggie cheered.
Bridget’s demeanor took a softer turn. Eying the groom, she lifted her chin. “Semi-double. W
on a place? I say.” She uncrossed her arms.
Mr. Whipple nodded and leaned back in his chair.
Berdie hid her smile. This wise old gentleman had done in one minute’s conversation with the arduous Mrs. McDermott what Berdie was unable to do in three days. And to her delight, not another word of disapproval or otherwise, was spoken throughout the rest of the ceremony by her three companions.
The observance was brief but meaningful. At the end, Gareth and Olivia Holmes processed arm in arm to the outer edge of guest seating, the lively music of Vivaldi’s Spring accompanying their first steps as man and wife. They made their way to the marquee and entered, waiting to greet their guests just inside.
Berdie was the first to duck in and greet them. “Congratulations, I wish you God’s best,” she offered.
Olivia took Berdie’s hand and squeezed it. “We can never thank you enough for all you’ve done for us.”
“Neither of us would be here apart from your skills and perseverance,” Gareth agreed.
“Your bravery, Mr. Holmes, and your resolve as well, Olivia, played no small part. And of course, don’t forget to thank the Great Protector of us all.”
“Oh, we do.” Olivia took a deep breath. “I expect everyone’s rather anxious to hear how you pulled this particular rabbit out of the hat.”
“Well that may be, but today is about celebrating your new life together.”
The queue of thirty-three guests began to form behind Berdie. “We’ll speak later,” she promised and moved on only to have Billie Finch cut her off short.
“Mrs. Elliott, isn’t this all a lovely surprise?” Billie fingered her blue handbag that matched the color of the feather fascinator that sat slightly left of atop her blonde hair. “What a charming hat you’re wearing.”
“How kind of you to say.” Berdie felt the woman actually meant it. “And yes, all this is a lovely surprise. I’m so glad you came, Mrs. Finch.”
“Mr. Finch had to attend to his work in London, of course, but I just couldn’t miss.” Billie’s glossy pink lips went into a smile. “Mrs. Mikalos is a lovely bride, so self-assured and all. Well, Miss Foxworth as well, very strong with bags of confidence. Both, really.”
“Yes.” Berdie had the sense that Mrs. Finch was on a fishing expedition.
“You know,” Billie whispered, “both are very capable. So, how did they? How did that one fellow…?”
Berdie was aware of what the woman wanted and considered telling her momentarily. Why not discuss it with her? She had been an important help in the whole ordeal. Deep down, the shy woman had a genuine concern for her neighbor.
Berdie stepped to the side of the tables and took Mrs. Finch with her. “What you’re asking is how did Clifford Morgan manage to abduct Olivia and Lillie?”
Billie grimaced. “Such an ugly word.”
“He used an inhaled anesthetic on Lillie. It subdued her, acting like a depressant, it almost made her appear drunk. Easy enough to explain to the pilot whose services he chartered.”
“Why did he do it?”
“Lillie was getting too close to the truth about Mr. Morgan and his attempted murder-by-drowning of his newest wife in the waters off Madeira. In fact, the woman in question and her cousin, Harriett Norman, are guests today at the wedding.” Berdie nodded their direction.
Billie’s eyes enlarged as she looked. “I say.”
“Morgan had an established waterfront chum there, more than one, I suspect, and word got back to him that Lillie was on his trail and getting close.”
“And Olivia? How did he,” she mouthed the word, “abduct her?”
“Actually, he had an unassuming older couple who were of a,” Berdie paused, “certain life station as accomplices. They introduced a drug into Olivia’s lemonade at the Ascension fete during the course of conversation.”
Billie frowned. “Wouldn’t she taste it?”
“Not in the case of overly tart lemonade which, as it turned out, worked in the culprit’s favor.”
“An older couple was privy to this matter?”
“Privy? Up to their necks, more like. The Stanfords, who owned legitimate cat rescue schemes, also operated a confidential dating agency of ill intentions whereby women of means were set up with charming men who simply conned them, through various methods, of their money and goods. Then, the couple and offending men split the profits and moved on to new locations.”
“I wouldn’t have thought that people of such a station could be that crooked.”
Berdie smiled. “Oh, Mrs. Finch, don’t let the color of a tie fool you. We all are capable of less-than-kind purposes.”
Billie sighed. “Well, yes, I suppose. This fellow took her from a gathering of hundreds of people. Didn’t someone notice?”
“He removed her from the crowd whilst we all were transfixed by the balloon release. Still, there was one who saw Morgan guardedly walk Olivia away. But some, sadly, question the witness’s credibility.”
“What kind of drug would render someone powerless yet able to walk?”
“The medical name is flunitrazepam. It’s sometimes exploited by men of low character who want to have their way with a woman. It makes the females compliant, you see.” Berdie lowered her chin.
Billie flushed and put her hand to her mouth.
“Mr. Morgan used it, not for those purposes, but to get acquiescent behavior for another reason: fraud, in this case.”
“Fraud?”
“You see, Mr. Holmes was Olivia’s original suitor from the agency. His methods, although not as heinous, were certainly still not moral. But, as we now know, he fell in love with Olivia. He couldn’t follow through on the ill intentions. But when he pulled out, the Stanfords were furious. Thus, Mr. Morgan was called to intervene and complete what was started. He wooed her, but Mrs. Mikalos wasn’t having it.”
“She had fallen in love with Mr. Holmes?”
“Yes. Gareth Holmes used the excuse of being married and left the relationship to keep Olivia safe, but it all went a bit pear shaped.”
“I should say.” Billie shifted her bag to her other hand. “Still, it all came round in the end.”
“Mr. Holmes began to work out what Morgan’s scam would be. He moved to Swallow Gate in an attempt to lay low. He knew that his intervention endangered Olivia’s life.” Berdie lifted her brows. “Eventually, as he began to piece things together, Gareth developed a covert plan to save her, which by God’s good grace, worked.”
“If this Morgan fellow has”--Billie ran a finger across the bodice of her dress”--gotten rid of women, why did he spare…?”
“Why did he spare Olivia? Oh, he had to. Clifford Morgan needed her alive until his purposes were served. You see, much of the money from Mr. Mikalos’s estate, which Morgan wanted, was being held in trust for Myles and Elise. Morgan got the documents needed to make him the trustee, so he could get his hands on the money, but he then needed Mrs. Mikalos’s signature to make it legal. It came down to kidnapping her in order for that to happen. In her amazing fortitude, she wasn’t as easy a target as he thought. She knew the minute she signed that document, she would have signed her own death warrant, and she refused, despite her incapacities. Olivia’s health issues became a consideration, even though Mr. Holmes got medication to the Stanfords who passed it on to Morgan. It became a game of cat and mouse, difficult for Morgan to keep things under his control.” Berdie took a deep breath. “In Lillie’s case, thank heaven, he was aware she had money, and it bought her some time. Morgan’s greed trumped her potential liability, and it probably saved her life.”
“All for money.” Billie’s words were just audible.
“The love of money. In this case, the older couple wanted money to support what was a good cause at heart, but they funded through dastardly means. Their moral compass was back to front. They had more empathy for Olivia’s cat than the woman herself. They were aware of the lion’s share of Mr. Morgan’s dealings. However, as long as the money poured in, they didn
’t ask too many questions about methods and means used to get it. I shouldn’t think they were ever actually privy to any murders, though.”
“Murders.” Billie’s rosy face went a bit pale.
“What are you two nattering on about?” Hugh put his hand on Berdie’s back.
“Oh, love, a fine ceremony. Well done,” Berdie cheered.
Hugh smiled.
“And Mrs. Finch thinks my hat is charming.”
“Does she? I couldn’t agree more.” Hugh beamed. “Hello, Mrs. Finch. I’m Hugh Elliott, Berdie’s husband.”
Billie bobbed her head, still catching her breath, it would seem, from the previous conversation.
“They’re serving the food soon,” Hugh informed. “A wonderful tomato tapenade is on the menu I’m told.”
Billie put her hand on her stomach and blinked. “I think I’ll just give best wishes to the bride and groom. Excuse me.”
Hugh nodded to the departing woman then turned his intense blue eyes to Berdie.
“What?”
“Are you frightening off guests?”
What Berdie wanted to say was that she didn’t have to frighten them because her hat did it for her. However, she brought her thoughts into obedience: love above fashion. “Have you seen Lillie and Loren about?”
“As a matter of fact, they’re seated at a table waiting for us to join them.”
“Has Loren spoken to you any more about when he plans to propose to Lillie?” Berdie felt a zip of excitement. “I’ve not even hinted to Lillie.”
“I should hope not, it’s entirely their business.”
“Yes, yes. So has he said?”
“Well, there’s a bit of a problem.”
“Hugh?”
“It seems he’s misplaced the ring.”
“What?” Berdie rolled her eyes heavenward. “How does one misplace a ring that costs three thousand pounds?” She let go a large huff. “Will those two ever find their way to each other?” She shook her head.
Hugh smiled. “Did you know when you move your head like that those lovely feathers on your hat dance?”
Berdie became stoic. “Let’s find the table.”
They crossed the throng to join their waiting friends.
Into the Clouds Page 23
