“I cannot believe I never thought of Ulga when considering who might have murdered Lord Kendrick,” I reflected while Robinson went to turn back the bedclothes.
“No one ever notices servants,” Robinson opined. Evidently some of Fanny’s ideas had stayed with him.
Hampering his abilities to prepare the bed for me was Chakkri. The cat slept in the centre of the bed as was his custom, but this time he had his head on one of my pillows!
I stepped forward to nudge him to the side. Awakened from his slumber, the feline rose and stretched, searing me with a look of disdain. “Come, Chakkri, no need to be offended. Lie down here. Let me see you curl your tail into a ‘C’ for Chakkri.”
But the cat jumped from the bed, paused only to shake his hind leg in a gesture of disgust, then hopped onto the chair to sleep.
“Now that was too bad of you, Chakkri,” I said and climbed into bed. “Have you seen him curl his tail into the letter ‘C’ Robinson? He is quite clever.”
The valet’s lips pursed. Then he said, “Yes, I have, sir, but it looked more like a ‘U’ to me. For Unspeakable, or perhaps Unconscionable, or Unsavoury, or—”
“That will be all, Robinson.”
DEDICATION
?For my son, Tommy, with love
?ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish to thank Steven Lovegrove of Syon House for making it possible for me to have a personal tour of this magnificent building owned by the Duke of Northumberland. Shirley Guest was a charming and informative companion as we explored the wonder of Robert Adam’s creation. Syon House is open to the public from March to October annually. Anyone visiting the London area should not miss this gem of a house.
I also appreciate the kindness of the Oatlands Park Hotel staff while I poked around what was formerly Oatlands, the country residence of the Duke and Duchess of York.
Thank you to my editor, Gail Fortune, for her guidance and patience.
Last, but never least, I want to thank Tommy. You have my love.
Copyright © 2002 by Rosemary Stevens
Originally published by Berkley [9780425185391]
Electronically published in 2012 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads and Rosemary Stevens
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No portion of this book may be reprinted in whole or in part, by printing, faxing, E-mail, copying electronically or by any other means without permission of the publisher. For more information, contact Belgrave House, 190 Belgrave Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94117-4228
http://www.RegencyReads.com
Electronic sales: [email protected]
This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.
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