Lady Marmalade Cozy Murder Mysteries: Box Set (Books 1 - 3)

by Jason Blacker

  “We’ll talk tomorrow when you are not in so much pain,” said Amita.

  Stretcher bearers came by and put Dev Jani on a stretcher, his eyes fluttered, he was starting to gain consciousness. Another couple of stretcher bearers came to help Amita Nagy onto a stretcher. She clutched at one of their arms and told him she was okay.

  “Take Govind,” she said, taking her arm from the stretcher bearer’s and placing it on Govind’s shoulder.

  As if on cue, Govind started to moan all the louder, pleading and crying. The tears flowed freely and easily. For although the pain had been severe at first, it was the memory of it now that he milked for all its human kindness’ worth.

  “I’ll see you soon, Govind, stay strong,” said Amita, but this just encouraged Govind to cry all the louder.

  They placed him on a stretcher and carried him off to the medical tents that were quickly being put up to help all the wounded. The police were finally coming to their senses and regaining their composure. But it was too little and too late. Practically anyone who could have been knocked over with lathis had been.

  Men and the few women in the crowd had been equally assaulted. Some of the Indians, like Amita, had been smart about it and pretended to have been knocked unconscious. These few slowly started to get up, and limped, doubled over to the medical tents, even though there was nothing wrong with them.

  Webb looked over at all the carnage, he was horrified and sickened by it. But he gritted his teeth and patted his men on the back to help them keep their sense about them. But he knew that heads would roll. Perhaps his own, and if so, he would take several of the others down with him, including Leak and Hudnall. He had watched them, especially aware of their almost sick enjoyment of the spectacle.

  Webb glanced at the journalists, they were still writing hurriedly. Many of them were making their way now over to the medical tents to bear witness to the numerous injuries, the hundreds of injured Indians.

  Sergeant Webb looked on, stationed like a statue behind the barricade as his men started to repair it. He couldn’t count the number of injured but it was easily the vast majority of the protesters. Hundreds of them, perhaps hundreds upon hundreds. He looked around at those still lying in front of him and the bulk of those who had now been carted off to the medical tents far off on his left side.

  He hoped that there were none killed today, but he was sadly mistaken. Two men had been murdered by the police, they were amongst the older men in the crowd. Ajit Pai was sixty-three and his lifelong friend, Chetan Panchal, was sixty-four. They had both left wives and children behind.

  FOUR

  Chapter 4

  THE summer of ‘31 was winding down. It had been a warm and drier than normal summer for the United Kingdom. Something that Frances was thankful for. Though the warm welcome weather was no comfort for the economy which had only worsened. Some had put the number of unemployed at over 3 million. Whatever it was, it wasn’t a welcome change.

  Not to say that Britain had it worse than America. It had started there and that was where the brunt of it was located. Their masses of unemployed were not to be envied.

  Frances walked into the living room where Eric was already seated at the dinner table and he had a glass of red wine in front of him. It was September the 6th and the grandfather chimed six times as she sat down opposite Eric. Sunday evening dinner was always something that they tried to enjoy together. And tonight the four of them would all be eating at this table.

  Declan came into the living room carrying his glass of red wine in his hand, accompanied by Everard. They were smiling and talking together. Behind them, Amelia and Alfie walked into the living room. Alfie was drinking a gin and tonic and Amelia was enjoying a glass of white wine.

  Declan sat next to his mother on her right side and Everard sat opposite him on Frances’ left. Amelia sat next to Everard being on her father’s right and Alfie was opposite her, sitting next to Declan. Amelia leaned in and kissed her father on the cheek. Eric beamed at her.

  He raised his glass to those at the table and each of them raised what they were drinking. Frances had not had a drink yet, so she and Everard raise their glasses of water.

  “To family,” said Eric looking at his wife and then at his daughter and lastly at his son. “And to friends,” looking at Alfie and then at Everard. “May the hearth fire always burn warmly.”

  They clinked their glasses. And each said “cheers” together.

  “My Lord,” said Alfie, looking at Eric.

  “Yes, Alfie.”

  Alfie coughed and cleared his throat.

  “I would like to take this moment to ask you something personal if you don’t mind. I throw myself at your mercy.”

  Amelia giggled quietly to herself. Eric looked at Alfie and frowned in curiosity.

  “I will try and be merciful,” he said smiling, then he looked at Amelia. “Do you know what this is about.”

  Amelia nodded, her cheeks were flushed.

  “Then go ahead young man,” said Eric looking intently at Alfie Nash.

  Alfie looked nervously at Amelia and then at Frances. She smiled at him and he stole courage from that. Everard and Declan were both looking at him, curious as to what all this was about.

  “My Lord,” said Alfie, and he cleared his throat again. “I humbly ask for your permission and blessing to marry your very beautiful daughter and my soul mate.”

  Alfie swallowed and his face burned. He was redder and more flushed than Amelia at that moment. Eric didn’t say anything for a moment. He looked sternly at Alfie and raised an eyebrow. He looked at Amelia and gave her just as stern a look as he had offered Alfie.

  Amelia had her hands to her mouth and her eyes were wet with hope and love. Eric looked back at Alfie. Alfie felt himself wilting like a fragile flower under the glare of a sunlamp.

  “My Lord,” he said, and his voice cracked.

  Time passed as slowly as a camel marching across the Sahara. Alfie looked down and wondered if this had been a mistake. Amelia wanted to marry him, he was sure of that. They had spoken about it and he had told her he was going to ask for Eric’s permission on this very night. She thought it was a marvelous idea.

  Certainly they were young, but they were in love and had known each other since her first year at University of London. She had caught his eye in the library. It was 1925 and times were good. He was just finishing up his medical degree as she was just starting down that road.

  He was a commoner. In fact he had been orphaned and raised by a kindly cobbler and his wife. Alfie had worked hard all his life trying to save money to pay for university. Alfie wondered now if he’d been stupid to think that he could marry a peer’s daughter. He sat with his eyes cast down waiting for Eric to laugh at his stupid request.

  It was over now, he could never show his face again in polite society once he had been spurned. And the love of his life was lost forever. His heart sank into the pit of his stomach and he wondered how he might carry on. Perhaps he’d head to Australia as Amelia and he had planned to do in the near future. He’d take his heavy baggage and try to start a new life.

  The silence in the room was as loud as drums thumping right up against his ears. Alfie wished he could turn into a mouse and just scurry away. Even the butler was standing there, still as a statue, ready to be witness to this amusement. He couldn’t stand it any longer. And the ring that was in his jacket pocket, it now felt like a lump of lead. He’d saved for three years to buy it. It wasn’t fancy. Nothing near to the rock that Lady Marmalade had on her ring.

  But still it was something, and he’d sacrificed new clothes and even medical equipment to buy it. Now he’d maybe be lucky to get half of the two hundred pounds he’d spent on it. Alfie swallowed hard and thought he might even cry. How had he been so blind to put himself at the mercy of a marquess in front of so many. He’d be leaving right away, he was sure of it.

  “Eric. Stop it!” said Frances.

  She looked at Alfie and then at Eri
c, her voice was soft and mischievous.

  “Can’t you see the poor boy is beside himself with anxiety.”

  Alfie looked up at her and smiled thinly, thankful for the small mercy. Next to him, at the head of the table, Eric laughed heartily.

  “I’m sorry, my dear boy, I couldn’t help myself. Of course you have permission to marry my daughter. There’s no one I’d be prouder to call my son-in-law.”

  “Oh, Daddy,” said Amelia, and she burst into tears of joy and slapped her father across the shoulder tenderly.

  Declan patted Alfie on the back and then shook his hand. Declan picked up his wine and raised it to the others.

  “We have admitted to our ranks one of the finest gentleman around. A real gem amongst the rabble.”

  There was more clinking of glasses. Alfie stood up as did Eric. He shook Eric’s hand.

  “Thank you so much, my Lord,” he said, almost breathless.

  Eric put his arms around him and hugged his soon to be son-in-law.

  “You must call me Eric or Dad from now on.”

  Eric held him out at arm’s length and grinned.

  “Well, what are you waiting for?”

  Alfie walked around to Amelia and got down on one knee. He pulled out the small box which held three years of his savings, hopes and dreams.

  “Please don’t let me down now, my love,” he said to her. His eyes were wet with tears. “My dearest and kindest Amelia. Will you marry me so that I might become complete and promise to make you the happiest woman for all of eternity?”

  He opened the box and showed her the modest engagement ring with its solitary diamond. Amelia nodded and threw her arms around his neck.

  “I will,” she said, sobbing happily.

  There was a round of applause. Alfred was clapping enthusiastically as was everyone at the table. Alfie put the ring on her finger and slowly got up and took his seat back at the table.

  “Well, that was quite the shocker,” said Eric, grinning as if he’d won a prize.

  “Did you know about this?” asked Declan, looking at his sister.

  She nodded.

  “I did, but I wasn’t certain he was going to do it tonight.”

  Amelia was admiring her ring as it twinkled and sparkled under the dining room’s lights.

  “I’m so happy for you, my dear sister,” said Declan, raising his glass up and winking at her.

  Amelia grabbed her glass and reached over the table and clinked with him. They each sipped on their drinks.

  “Jolly good show, Alfie,” said Declan. “I bet that took plenty of courage.”

  Alfie looked over at his soon to be brother-in-law.

  “It did. I almost wet myself when your father didn’t say anything. I thought I might be leaving without even dinner, with my tail between my legs.”

  Alfie laughed aloud, relieved, the pressure over now and his hopes solidified. Eric slapped him on the shoulder.

  “I couldn’t help myself, Alfie,” said Eric. “You know I love you just like a son. I really am delighted and I couldn’t be happier to have anyone taking Amelia’s hand than you.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” said Alfie, the word thick and awkward in his mouth like a gobstopper. Though he liked the feeling of it. Eric grinned widely.

  “You are such a tease, darling,” said Frances looking at her husband. Then she turned to look at Alfie and raise her glass of water to him. “I couldn’t be happier, and I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. You will take good care of my daughter won’t you, Alfie?”

  “I promise on my life, my Lady,” he said.

  “Frances or Mum will do,” she said.

  Frances sipped her water and Alfie beamed. He felt light and full of joy. He looked over at Amelia and she beamed at him. He winked at her.

  “I think I’ll take a drink now,” said Frances. Alfred stepped up towards her, “I think I’ll join my daughter in some of that white wine.”

  “Yes, my Lady.” Alfred turned to Everard. “Anything else for you sir?”

  “Yes, I should think so. Tonight calls for a celebration. Perhaps a glass of tonic water please, Alfred.”

  Alfred nodded and walked over to the bar at the one end of the room. Eric sipped on his red wine and looked around at his family. A family that was growing. He would soon have grandchildren to spoil and the thought brought him immense joy. Alfred came back with the drinks and handed Lady Marmalade her glass of white wine and then offered Everard his tonic water.

  “May I serve dinner, my Lord?” asked Alfred, returning to Eric’s side.

  Eric nodded. Alfred left for the kitchen. Eric turned and looked over at Everard.

  “So you’ve always been a teetotaler, Everard?” asked Eric.

  “Yes, that’s correct.”

  Declan looked over at him and smiled.

  “Can you tell me again why you do not drink?” asked Eric.

  Declan raised his eyebrows at Everard, which Everard caught. He looked back at Eric.

  “Not at all, Eric,” he said. “I was raised a Quaker and part of the teachings is the abstinence of alcohol.”

  Eric nodded.

  “Yes, I remember that now, but you are no longer a Quaker from what I understand.”

  “That’s right. I was raised that way, but I’ve lost my faith in Christianity in general and Quakerism specifically. I consider myself agnostic.”

  Alfred returned with Ginny and she put a tray containing plates of Waldorf salad down on a side table. She served everyone up and then took the tray away back into the kitchen.

  Everyone started digging in. The Waldorf salad had lately become a favorite around the Marmalade house.

  “Such a tasty, sweet and tangy salad,” said Everard to Frances. “I do thank you for having me over for dinner.”

  Frances smiled at him.

  “Not at all. I know you are as close to Declan as Alfie is to Amelia. You’re always welcome here, you know that.”

  Everard smiled and went back to eating his salad.

  “Thanks, Mum,” said Declan looking up at her.

  Eric shot Frances a quick glare and then looked over at Everard.

  “You’re a vegetarian too, if I recall?”

  Everard looked up at him and nodded.

  “I am. I try and avoid dairy and eggs when I can too.”

  “Why is that?”

  Eric’s tone was not malevolent but it was a little more abrupt than it needed to be.

  “Well, it’s simply that I don’t believe it is necessary for a healthy life to eat animal flesh. And if it isn’t necessary then depriving an animal of its life just for palate pleasure seems to me, to be unnecessarily cruel.”

  Eric took a bite of salad and chewed for a moment.

  “You can’t argue with that,” said Alfie, “though I’m not sure I could do it.”

  “Yes, but the bible says that we have dominion over animals. We can eat them if we choose.”

  Everard nodded.

  “Quite true, and that is one of the reasons for why I have lost faith. There are several problems with the bible that I see. One of which is that it was only written a century or more after this man, Jesus Christ, walked the earth. Secondly, you can find arguments for both sides of pretty much everything in the bible. Genesis chapter one verse twenty nine for examples speaks only of plant foods as being food. But you are right, later, in Genesis chapter nine verse three it mentions that every living thing is ours for food.”

  “Father, do we have to get into this again?” asked Declan.

  “I’m just curious,” said Eric, putting another forkful of salad into his mouth.

  “And then again,” continued Everard, “Proverbs chapter six verses sixteen and seventeen talk about what God hates, one of them being the spilling of innocent blood and I’d argue that animals are innocent. But the problem is, as I said before, that you can argue any side of an argument with the bible.”

  “Except homosexuality,” said Eric, loud enough for everyo
ne to hear.

  “Dammit, Father, are we really going to get into this again?” said Declan.

  “Eric, can we please have an enjoyable meal together without arguing about this again?” said Frances.

  “That’s alright, I’ll answer. You’re right, Eric, there is much that has been interpreted in the bible about homosexuality being condemned, yet we might find in the decades to come that perhaps the meaning was not clearly understood. Sodom and Gomorrah are seen as the quintessential argument against homosexuality but some scholars have argued that the sin was not one of homosexuality but rather a lack of charity and the attempted rape of angels.”

  Eric looked up at Everard and couldn’t help but admire the young man for his equanimity. He was practically attacking him and yet he suffered these slings and arrows with poise.

  “Regardless, at the end of the day, I’ll not follow a religion that condemns me for being a homosexual. A homosexual, I might add who was born his way, dare I say, made this way by the very God that apparently finds my sexuality an outrage.”

  “Hear, hear,” said Declan lifting his glass of wine towards Everard, “and that is why I love you.”

  Everard picked up his tonic water and clinked with Declan and winked at him.

  “I’ll drink to that,” said Frances. “The world could use more love.”

  Eric looked over at Declan and then at Everard and then at Frances who gave him a stern nod. He picked up his glass half heartedly and raised it with much effort. He took a sip of the red wine and finished his salad.

  “I love you too,” said Amelia, clinking glass with her brother and Everard.

  “I can’t argue with love,” said Alfie, “however you find it.”

  Eric didn’t say anything but pushed his plate off to the side. Everyone was finishing up their salads and Alfred walked around collecting the dishes and he put them on the side table. He went into the kitchen and came out with Ginny who was carrying a tray and they took the plates away. Eric sipped his wine and then looked over at Everard. For some reason he found it easier to talk to Everard about his sexuality than his own son.

  “Aren’t you worried about the law and homophobia and what other people might think?”