A Zestful Little Murder

by Beth Byers

  “Or Denny,” Vi told her.

  Lila didn’t object and the Brantley women all seemed a little nonplussed at how easily they mocked Denny.

  Rita finally took mercy on her father’s old friends. “Denny would agree with us and be unoffended.”

  Lila snorted. “He’d probably describe his own grisly death. Your husband might try to insult him like he did Ham, but Mr. Brantley will discover that Denny has very little pride. Ham, on the other hand, has perhaps too much. Even if it is deserved.”

  “It is odd that Rita has chosen an older Scotland Yard man,” Neve Brantley mused.

  “I don’t think so,” Delilah added a moment later, blushing when everyone turned to her. After a too long moment of silence, she stammered out, “Mr. Barnes is kind. It is there to be seen. He protects people like a knight. It’s all very romantic.”

  “Like all men, he sees Rita’s pretty face, her pretty body, and her pretty bank account. They’re all the same under the skin,” Neve told her niece. “If you hadn’t turned down my own boys, I’d tell you that your stubbornness about marrying was the right choice, but of course, a mother does want one’s sons well-settled.”

  Delilah had nothing to say to that, and what could she when being dressed down and insulted at the same time for not choosing to marry a cousin. Instead she took a cocktail and sipped it slowly. She rose a moment later when the group remained quiet and crossed to the piano. A moment later, brilliant playing filled the room and Vi leaned back, grateful to stop talking to Neve Brantley. Vi didn’t hate the woman with the same fierceness she did Benedict Brantley, but Vi would gladly see the last of all the Brantleys within the next few days.

  Delilah’s playing entertained the ladies until the gentlemen appeared in the parlor, smelling of tobacco. Within a few steps, Jack got rid of the guests with a well-placed comment about much to do the following day. The biggest surprise was how Ham rose, held out his hand to Mr. Brantley and said, “Better let you rest then, Benedict.”

  The man sputtered in the face of the clear dismissal. His jaw was clenched as he ordered the ladies to follow. Josiah Brantley held back until the last of the ladies left the parlor. “Apologies and all that,” he said to the room in general.

  He disappeared before he could expand on just what he was apologizing for. The second the parlor door closed, Ham looked at Jack.

  “Don’t bother, my brother,” Jack told Ham, clapping him on the shoulder. “We all know some folks who leave something to be desired.”

  “This is all my fault,” Mr. Russell said.

  “It is not, Papa,” Rita cut in. “We learned manners as children. It’s no more your fault than anyone else’s that Mr. Brantley decided to go on the attack.”

  “I fear you made quite an enemy of him when you turned down his sons and I did when…well…the less said about that the better.”

  Vi’s gaze darted to Rita. By her friend’s furrowed expression, whatever it was that had caused the break between Mr. Russell and Mr. Brantley wasn’t something that Rita knew. She glanced from Rita to Ham, and his face was unreadable. Vi eyed him long enough that Ham’s gaze met hers. There was nothing in his face.

  Telling, Vi thought. He and Jack really were brothers. But, she knew Jack far better than anyone and nothing on Jack’s face meant something. Vi smiled and leaned back smugly. Ham’s gaze narrowed on her, and she was sure he wanted her to hide whatever it was she thought that she saw. At least he wasn’t one of those men, she thought, who might try to make her believe that she didn’t know what she knew.

  “Mrs. Forman,” Vi asked, “how do you know the Brantleys? I believe that you met Mr. Russell through the Brantley family?”

  “Oh,” Mrs. Russell said, blushing deeply as she fiddled with a bracelet. “I suppose I’ve known Mina Brantley for just about forever. We were in the same year of school and were sent to the same girl’s school. We even married about the same time. And then she lost Dennis and I, my John, within a few months of each other.”

  Vi didn’t see anything in that reply to cause such a brilliant blush, but Rita jumped into the fray. “What does Izzy want to do now that she’s done with school? Has she decided against going to a college?”

  Mrs. Forman glanced gratefully at Rita. “Oh, she doesn’t know what she wants. School isn’t appealing to her. I fear she was never one for academics. She’s one for dancing, laughing, playing and such.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with being young and carefree,” Mr. Russell said to her. “She might be grown, but she’s very, very young and sooner or later I fear that all of us find that life is not always easy, kind, or fun.”

  Chapter 5

  Jack watched as Violet stripped her jewelry off and put it in the small safe in her room. They’d added the safe in the wall the same time they’d added the bar to the library.

  “Do you want to swim?”

  She paused, considering. It was hardly warm enough for a late-night swim, but they had added an outdoor hearth to the pool for just that reason. After a moment, she shook her head. “It’s too cool still, I think. At least for swimming at night. It might be all right for a brisk morning swim or for something in the late afternoon followed by a hot bath.”

  “Have you become a weakling?” Jack teased as he tugged his tie loose and laid it over the back of a chair.

  “Yes, of course,” Violet said immediately. “What was that dinner, Jack?”

  “Ham had mentioned that some of Mr. Russell’s friends were awful, but I hadn’t expected that, to be honest,” Jack replied as he took off his shoes and then disappeared into his dressing room.

  Vi disappeared herself, changing into her new deep purple pajamas and topping it with a gray and lavender kimono that was edged with matching purple cuffs and hems. Vi removed her makeup next and returned to Jack, who was sitting on the end of the bed as she put away all of the things they’d left out. Messes left Vi’s skin itchy and since neither of them had someone to help them personally, Vi tended to tuck things away herself.

  “Can we uninvite the Brantleys?”

  Jack shrugged. “We could. Do you want to?”

  Very much so, Vi thought, but she also wanted Mr. Russell to feel as comfortable in her home and among those she loved as Rita. “No. Though—” Her father hadn’t seemed happy with Benedict, either, as he’d mentioned a falling out, which begged the question as to why the Brantleys had been invited.

  “Ham would understand,” Jack told her.

  “Rita would as well,” Vi told Jack, “but that doesn’t mean I want her to feel as though she has to choose between her father and us. I’m rather afraid that she’d choose her father and we’d see her less.”

  Jack’s gaze met Vi’s and both of them avoided the rest of the question. Had Ham really given his notice? Would Jack have to leave the Yard? Was it worth verifying the possibility and facing that reality? Instead, Vi asked, “What happened to Smith and Beatrice?”

  “I have no idea,” Jack muttered, rubbing his hand over his face. She noticed the slight relaxing in his shoulders and knew he was grateful she’d let things go. “I would worry about anyone else, but instead I worry about whoever got in Smith’s way. Especially with Beatrice along for the ride.”

  Vi didn’t disagree with that in the least. She crossed to him, settling near him, and twined their fingers together. “Everything will be all right, Jack.”

  “I know,” he said simply, and even sounded as if he believed it. But he believed it in the way that one faced something difficult, knew they’d reach the other side, but did not look forward to the journey through.

  Vi pulled her legs up, pressing up onto her knees on the bed so she could meet his gaze directly. “It will be fine. We’ll discover the right path forward.”

  “I know,” he said again, but this time he sounded lighter. He cupped her cheek and then pressed one of those gentle, loving kisses against her forehead. “How can it not be when we have each other?”

  Vi agreed and then
whispered, “Maybe instead of focusing on the future beyond this week, we should focus on getting through the week with the Brantleys underfoot, find out what Rita’s father is up to, how Ham is doing, and then—when we’re back to normal—we can revisit the rest of this.”

  He nodded and after kissing each of her eye lids, he pressed another, far deeper kiss on her lips.

  As much as Vi had told Jack that things would be all right, she found that it was herself who wasn’t able to sleep for worries over him. She loved her husband more than she had words to say and she wanted him to be happy. If only she could just will happiness and satisfaction with his life into him.

  There was something special to having passion that occupied one’s days and she was fortunate to have the wealth to indulge in hers. Those who loved their days and their work were richer than they knew even if they weren’t rich at all. She wanted that for him. Vi shook her head and curled into Jack’s side, falling asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.

  When she woke, he had left the room, and Vi lingered over bathing and dressing to shake off the uneasy night. She chose her favorite shade of dress, a pink-nude. It was light-weight and fluttery and made her feel a bit like an exotic flower. On sunny days it was the perfect dress for her. She left most of her jewelry off and only wore her wedding ring when she left her bedroom and followed the aroma of coffee to the breakfast room.

  Vi said a general hello until she had filled her cup and then focused upon the table. She noted Smith with his angel’s face and devil’s grin and demanded, “When did you get here?”

  “Sometime after 2:00 a.m.”

  “You woke Hargreaves?” she asked, closing her eyes as she took that first precious sip of coffee. She took the seat next to Beatrice, bumping her friend lightly.

  “No.”

  Vi paused and then glanced at Beatrice, whose face had turned a brilliant red.

  “So we need new locks?” It was more statement than question, and more observational than accusing. It was hardly a surprise.

  “I would suggest it,” Smith said idly. “I could give you some ideas.”

  “Mmm,” Vi agreed. “Perhaps just give them to Hargreaves.”

  Smith grinned at her again, and it seemed that his devilish expression was even more blatant.

  “I missed you, Beatrice,” Vi told her. “Did you sleep all right?”

  Beatrice’s blush hadn’t lessened and Vi gave her a few minutes by focusing on her coffee. They lingered in silence until Violet rose for toast and a refill of her Turkish coffee. When Vi settled back down, Beatrice asked about the plans for the coming week and they chattered about nothing until Lila appeared.

  “Where is everyone?” Lila demanded. “When am I one of the early ones?”

  “You aren’t,” Smith said. “Rita, Ham, your husband, and Jack disappeared outside with some self-important local who had brought along some boys and—say it isn’t so—a maypole?”

  “We are here for a village fête,” Beatrice told him.

  “We’re here,” Smith countered, “because Ham left Scotland Yard, taking Jack with him, and Jack is already bursting at the seams.”

  Violet didn’t answer Smith’s jab, but Beatrice did with a jab of her own. It was an elbow to his ribs and then a casual lifting of her teacup.

  “I always liked Beatrice,” Lila told Vi. “Though I agree with Smith. A maypole?”

  “Locals,” Smith grunted.

  “Strawberry scones,” Beatrice said lightly. “Fun games, cook-offs, pies to be bought. Maybe a flower competition.”

  In unison, Smith and Lila shuddered and then Smith tugged a strand of Beatrice’s hair. “I feel contaminated already. I’m going to find Wakefield and see what he wants. He didn’t invite me for scones and games.”

  “I want scones,” Beatrice told the others. “The kind that, I don’t know, a vicar’s wife or farmer’s mother makes. With the secret little somethings that no one else does as well.”

  “Mmm,” Vi agreed.

  “Your chefs don’t pull those things off as well as a country woman,” Beatrice told Vi.

  “So, don’t leave before the fête,” Lila told Beatrice.

  “Maybe you can help us,” Vi suggested. “There’s something odd between Rita’s future stepmother and some fellows at the inn. Smith could look into it and those gents to keep busy.”

  “Do you really suspect them of something?” Beatrice asked.

  Lila snorted and Vi paused before she shook her head. To Vi’s surprise, Beatrice grinned wickedly. “Fabulous. It’ll take him longer if there’s nothing to find.”

  “Oh,” Lila said again, “I do like her.”

  When Vi left the dining room, she found Izzy and Delilah in the garden. Vi stepped forward, looking for Ginny, but paused when she heard Izzy say, “You have to stop letting him push you around like he does.”

  Delilah didn’t reply and Izzy scoffed.

  “You don’t understand,” Delilah told Izzy. “You just make these grand proclamations and hardly anyone argues with you.”

  “You aren’t paying attention,” Izzy said, too loudly. “The world has changed. We’re not chattel anymore. Quit letting yourself be treated like chattel.”

  Vi’s brow lifted and she realized suddenly why Ginny had taken to Izzy. Annoying? Yes. But the girl was right. If you let some gents push you around, they would. Women had to take their rights and protect them fiercely. Vi paused. She was in the library doorway to the garden so she called, “Good morning, girls! Delilah, how lovely that you’ve come out for the day.”

  “Oh!” Delilah blushed. “I hadn’t gotten to see Izzy yet, and we are rather close friends.”

  “Don’t worry, darling,” Violet said lightly. “We’re happy to have you.” Vi didn’t add the emphasis the word ‘you’ deserved. “Have you had breakfast, my dears? Our chef has put a rather lovely spread out.”

  Both of them made their excuses and Vi left them behind in the garden for their conference. She took a deep breath and continued onward until she found every gentleman from the house surrounding a long pole. Hands were on hips, heads were cocked, consultations were being made and Vi’s burst of laughter was met with a cool reception.

  “Do you have suggestions?” Denny demanded.

  “Yes,” Violet said instantly.

  The men all turned. Vi didn’t miss the dark looks and the exasperation.

  “Well?” Jack asked.

  “I suggest you listen to the fellows who do this every year.”

  One of the local fellows took off his cap and coughed into his shoulder. Jack gave Vi a wicked grin and she winked at him before lifting a brow.

  “Best idea I’ve heard yet,” Smith said. “Where are the cocktails?”

  “It’s 9:00 a.m.,” the oldest of the locals said, sounding aghast.

  “It’s vacation for me,” Smith told him without a flinch. “I have to get all the cocktails in that I can.”

  “Because,” Violet shot back, “you’re too responsible to drink while working in London.”

  Smith gave Vi a charming grin and didn’t bother to reply. He wasn’t the mystery he had once been and both of them knew that Smith only obeyed the rules he wanted to obey.

  Chapter 6

  Victor sat next to Violet on the stone bench under the apple trees and they watched the tents being set up on the green to the side of Vi’s house. It was a bit humbling to realize that their garden was of a similar size to the village green.

  “We really are so spoiled,” Violet told her brother.

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and she didn’t have to look at his face to know he understood her line of thought. He shifted a little as though to disagree and Vi elbowed him lightly. “You are too.”

  “You are the most spoiled,” he said idly. Both of them snorted at the return to their childhood.

  “Kate spoils you the most,” Violet shot back. “Loving wife, the kind who was raised to put her spouse and children first. You’re extra
spoiled because of her.”

  “Says the woman wearing rubies from Jack for no reason whatsoever.”

  “I’m not wearing rubies.” She grinned wickedly at her brother, taking in his familiar face. Those sharp features matched her own. The dark eyes, dark hair, long slim builds. They might be male and female, but they were two sides of the same coin.

  “But you have them.”

  “Indeed, I do,” Vi said with satisfaction. A joke crossed her mind, but she held it back. It would be funnier with the right prop. Instead she elbowed him and asked, “How do you think Jack is doing?”

  “I expect he’s floundering like we did when we each married and had to find our new normal. Life is hard, Vi. It’s hard to have our expectations shift even if the new step is positive. It’s harder still when the new expectation is unwanted. Jack would have worked with Ham at Scotland Yard forever.”

  “I think he’s floundering too,” Vi said softly. There was nothing she was more grateful for than that her twin and her husband were friends. They were, in fact, closer than most friends. The positive side was that if she asked Ham how Jack was, Ham would tell Vi that Jack would be fine. Victor would share his actual thoughts. “He will be okay, however.”

  The last was a promise to herself and to Jack, and her twin tightened his arm on her shoulders.

  “Is Jack’s newfound status why Smith is here?” Victor asked.

  Vi nodded. They were hidden in the shadows, but Smith and Jack were walking between the stable and the house. They were such opposites it was a little shocking. It was only at a distance that you realized exactly how large Jack was in comparison to Smith—or to everyone else. For some reason, it was particularly shocking with Smith. The man was just such a large personality that one forgot he was average-sized.

  Violet examined her brother to see what he thought of Jack’s considered venture. If Victor were alarmed at the prospect, everyone else would be loudly shocked. Victor, however, watched without comment as the two men disappeared around the side of the stable.