by VL McBeath
A Christmas Murder
An Eliza Thomson Investigates Murder Mystery
VL McBeath
A Christmas Murder
By VL McBeath
Copyright © 2019 by VL McBeath, Valyn Publishing
(a trading company of Valyn Ltd).
For more about this author please visit:
https://vlmcbeath.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the author at:
https://vlmcbeath.com/contact/
*
Editing services provided by Susan Cunningham
(www.perfectproseservices.com)
Cover design by Michelle Abrahall
(www.michelleabrahall.com)
ISBNs:
978-1-9161340-2-7 (Kindle Edition)
978-1-9161340-3-4 (Paperback)
Main category - FICTION / Historical Mysteries
Other category - FICTION / Crime & Mystery
Contents
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
Author’s Note and Acknowledgements
Also by VL McBeath
Chapter One
London, December 1901
Eliza Thomson sat in the back of her husband’s carriage, peering out of the window. She hadn’t realised how quickly the evening was drawing in until a fork of lightning illuminated the rooftops in the tree-lined streets of Richmond upon Thames. The rain started before the rumble of thunder reached them and she pulled the collar of her cloak higher around her neck.
Her friend Connie leaned forward to stare at the gloom. “Does the weather not realise it’s nearly Christmas? Those clouds should be full of snow by now.”
Eliza shuddered as the gentle patter of rain turned into a torrent, pummelling the cobbled street and drowning out all but the sound of the horses’ hooves as they quickened their pace. “I don’t think it’s cold enough to snow but there’s still time. Don’t give up hope.”
She let out a low shriek as the speed of the horses caused her to topple towards the corner of the carriage. “Good gracious, this driver needs to slow down. We’ll be there in a minute even if he doesn’t go at such a pace.” She flinched as the momentum caused Connie to slide along the bench and collide with her.
“My goodness, what’s going on?” Connie pushed herself back to her own side of the carriage.
“I don’t suppose the horses want to get wet any more than we do.”
Eliza’s husband Archie turned in his seat to study the horses. “I don’t know about them, but I’m sure the drivers would rather they weren’t sitting outside in this. They have a grand job in the summer, but I wouldn’t swap with them tonight.”
“Me neither.” Eliza jumped as a second bolt of lightning flashed crossed the sky. “At least Father will have something arranged for them once we get there. The stables will be ready to drive straight into and the hip flask will be waiting.”
“Let’s hope so…” A crash of thunder, much closer than the first, drowned out the rest of Archie’s reply.
“We’ll be sleeping with the horses at this rate,” Connie said as the noise dissipated. “We won’t even be able to walk across the yard without catching our death of cold.”
“It’s not far,” Archie said. “No more than twenty paces, and I brought this.” He reached under the seat and pulled out a neatly folded umbrella.
“I’ve a feeling we’ll need more than that.” Eliza’s attention drifted back to the horses, who had slowed to a trot as they navigated the driveway of a large, red-brick detached house. As they approached the backyard, a coachman dressed in an oversized mackintosh and wide-brimmed hat hurried from an outhouse to direct them to the stables.
Once they were at a standstill, Archie jumped down from the carriage. “I’d say we got here in the nick of time.” He squinted out into the gloom. “This storm looks like it’s here for the night. I’ll run inside and see if your father has any more umbrellas.”
A minute later, Archie returned and ushered the ladies across the stone flags, through the back door and into the kitchen.
“What a horrible evening.” Eliza shook the excess water from her cloak as a maid took the umbrella from her. “We’d better leave the luggage in the carriage until the rain eases. I don’t want the presents ruined before anyone has the chance to unwrap them.”
“I’m sure they’ll be fine; I’m not going to let anything spoil Christmas.” A smile lit up Connie’s face as she passed her own coat to the maid. “It’s going to be special this year. I wonder if Mr Bell’s put up the decorations yet. I hope he’s left something for us to do.”
“He has plenty of decorations up already, madam,” the maid said. “He wanted the house to be at its best when you arrived, but I’m sure we can find space for a few more. If you’d like to go up, Mr Bell’s waiting for you in the drawing room. He asked me to serve afternoon tea as soon as you arrived.”
“Splendid.” Eliza linked her arm through Connie’s. “He always knew how to spoil me. Come on, let’s go and surprise him.” She led the way from the kitchen, up the stairs to the front hallway where she stopped by a large mirror. “After being outside in that weather, I’d better take a look at myself.” She removed her feather-trimmed hat, scowling as several strands of dark brown hair broke free from their grips. “I’d swear this hair has a mind of its own. Yours never moves.”
“Oh, it does.” Connie waited behind her. “You just never see it. You need more hairpins, that’s the secret. Your hair’s too thick to manage with the number you put in. I’m sure Dr Thomson will buy you some if you ask him nicely.”
Eliza raised her eyebrows. “Less of your cheek. I’m perfectly capable of buying my own hairpins without involving Archie.”
The words were no sooner out of her mouth than Archie joined them. “What aren’t you going to involve me in?”
Eliza grinned. “Nothing you need worry about; now come along, Father will be waiting.”
Mr Bell jumped from his seat as Eliza and Connie entered the drawing room. “Here you are. I was beginning to think you’d been delayed by the storm.”
“No, thankfully it only started as we turned into the road.” Eliza crossed the room towards the selection of chairs that surrounded the fire and embraced her father.
“It looks like it’s going to be a terrible evening,” Connie said as Eliza positioned herself in front of the fire to warm her hands.
“Well, you’ll be safe and dry here, my dear.” Mr Bell took Connie’s hand and planted a kiss on the back of it. “Ah, Archie, come on in. The tea will be here shortly.”
“Thank you so much for inviting me,” Connie said. “I always love Christmas, but it’s not quite the same when you’re on your own.”
“Of course I invited you. I could hardly entertain the rest of the family and leave you alone. Now, take a seat and make yourself at home.” He glanced towards the door, his brow creasing, before he turned to Eliza. “Have you n
ot brought Henry with you? I want to hear all about Cambridge and find out what they’re teaching him.”
Eliza rolled her eyes. “A final round of parties before Christmas. I really don’t know how he does it, but he’ll be here on Tuesday. There’ll be plenty of time to talk to him then.”
“Oh to be twenty again.” Mr Bell sighed as he retook his seat. “Not that I had the opportunities he has, but he won’t be young forever. Let him enjoy himself. You’ll just have to tell me what you’ve been up to instead.”
“I’m sure my life is terribly dull in comparison, so I shan’t even try to compete, but I must say you’ve surpassed yourself with the decorations this year. The room looks wonderful not to mention the tree. You’ve been busy.”
Mr Bell threw back his head as he laughed. “I didn’t lift a finger as you well know. The maids like doing it. It makes a change from their usual chores.”
“They haven’t lit the candles on the tree yet though. Did you save that for us?” Eliza’s eyes sparkled as she glanced down at her father.
He returned her smile and handed her a small box. “I know how you enjoy that bit.”
Connie clapped her hands in front of her chest as she joined Eliza by the tree in the bay window. “I was hoping you’d left something for us. It would be such a dull time of year if it wasn’t for Christmas, don’t you think?”
“It most certainly would.” Eliza held a match to the first of the six candles tied to the tree. “I just hope it doesn’t get too cold.”
“Surely you want it to snow?” Connie’s eyes widened.
“That’s different.” Eliza’s eyes didn’t move from the tree as she searched out the next candle.
“Well, whether it does or not, you’ve no need to worry,” Mr Bell said. “I’ve enough coal in the cellar to last at least two weeks.”
“It’s to be hoped the weather doesn’t keep us here that long.” Archie stretched out his legs in front of him. “I’ve only arranged cover for the surgery for a week.”
“I’m amazed you could manage that long.”
An involuntary smile crept onto Eliza’s lips at the friendly tone of her father’s voice.
Archie grunted. “After the misunderstanding earlier this year when I covered for Dr Wark while you all went to Lowton Hall, he was only too happy to keep an eye on things.”
“So, some good came out of it then.” Mr Bell paused as a maid knocked on the door and brought in a large tea tray. “Thank you, my dear. Just leave it over there and we’ll deal with it.”
Eliza glanced back over her shoulder as the maid placed the tray on a console table behind one of the settees and disappeared as quickly as she arrived.
“Would you like to do the honours?” Mr Bell asked her. “I’m not so good at that sort of thing.”
Eliza handed Connie the matches to light the final two candles and walked back to the table. After stirring the tea in the pot, she offered around the selection of sandwiches and cakes. “Do you have anything planned for us while we’re here? I had hoped to go for a walk in the park tomorrow, but unless this weather lets up, it looks like we’ll be stuck indoors.”
“I can help you there.” Mr Bell’s face lit up. “We’ve been invited out for luncheon.”
“Luncheon? Where?”
“Only next door. You’ve heard me talk of Mrs Cranford? Well, she popped in earlier this week with an invitation. She claimed it was a pre-Christmas, midwinter celebration, but then let slip that someone had told her you were visiting. Apparently, she wants to meet you. I think that’s the real reason we’ve been invited.”
“Me!” Eliza put a hand to her chest as she sat down. “Why on earth would she be interested in me?”
Archie laughed. “Your fame must be preceding you, my dear.”
“Don’t laugh about it.” Mr Bell smirked at his son-in-law. “You’re nearer the truth than you realise.”
“What do you mean?” Eliza studied her father as he bit into an egg sandwich.
“Oh, it’s nothing to worry about. I may have mentioned to a couple of friends that you’d helped the police with some murder investigations…”
“May have mentioned?” Eliza raised an eyebrow as she handed Mr Bell a cup of tea.
“I didn’t give them any details; it was just that when the newspapers reported the trials, I had to say something. You know how word travels and Mrs Cranford always likes to make sure she knows everything.”
“Another Mrs Petty?” Connie asked.
“No, not at all. She’s a lovely woman…”
“As is Mrs Petty,” Eliza said.
“Well, quite.” Mr Bell took a hasty sip of his tea. “What I mean is, Mrs Cranford’s about your age and she’s a marvellous hostess. There are not many people in the neighbourhood she hasn’t entertained, which means she knows everyone. That’s where she gets all her information from. Anyway, it turns out she has an interest in solving murders and wants to meet you.”
“Well, what can I say? I’m sure I don’t want to bore the rest of the guests with tales of murder, especially not at this time of year when we’re all supposed to be jolly.”
Mr Bell chuckled. “You’ve no need to worry about that. Mrs Cranford is always the life and soul of the party; she won’t let it turn morbid. Knowing her, she’ll have a list of questions as long as your arm about each of the murders and how you solved them.”
“Does she not have a husband to stop all this nonsense?” Archie helped himself to another small triangular sandwich.
“She does. Nice chap too, but he’s about as effective constraining her as you are with Eliza.”
“Father!” Eliza shot Mr Bell a ferocious look. “We’re not just here to be your housekeepers, you should have realised that by now.”
“My dear, when have I ever stopped you doing exactly what you want? I was merely suggesting that Mrs Cranford has the same spirit as you.”
“What does Mr Cranford do for a living?” Archie asked.
“He owns the new department store on Oxford Street, Cranford’s.”
“Really?” Connie’s eyes lit up. “I’ve heard about that. It’s supposed to be rather grand. Do you think we could make a visit while we’re here?”
“I’m sure we could arrange that,” Mr Bell said.
“I don’t know when.” Eliza’s brow furrowed. “We obviously can’t go tomorrow, and I had planned to go to the theatre on Tuesday afternoon. There’s a new musical production that’s just started at the Vaudeville. I was going to treat Connie as a Christmas present.”
“My, that sounds wonderful too.” Connie’s smile lit up her face. “Do you think we’d be able to squeeze in a trip to Cranford’s as well? I don’t suppose we’ll want to travel into London on Monday as well as Tuesday.”
“It depends on the weather,” Archie said. “If the rain doesn’t stop, you might not even want to travel in once.”
“Of course we will.” Eliza grinned at her friend. “Whether it rains or not, we’ll either be in the theatre or in the shop. We needn’t come out for hours. Isn’t that right, Connie?”
“Oh, at least three hours in each I would say.”
Archie groaned. “Well, it’s a good job I brought a couple of books with me. I’m happy to go to the theatre but I hope you don’t mind if I excuse myself from a whole morning of shopping.”
“As long as you give the cashier instructions to set up an account for me, I won’t mind at all.”
Mr Bell grimaced at his son-in-law. “I’d say you’d be better going with them. At least then you’ll be able to keep an eye on them.”
“Don’t encourage him,” Eliza said. “We’ll be perfectly happy on our own.”
Archie reached for a buttered scone. “That’s the worry.”
Chapter Two
By the time Eliza and Connie arrived in the dining room the following morning, Mr Bell was waiting for them. The rain of the previous evening had subsided to a steady drizzle, but the wind rattled around the windows cau
sing the curtains to quiver with each gust.
“Where’s Archie? He must have come downstairs a good hour ago.” Eliza moved into the chair Mr Bell held out for her.
“He got fed up waiting for you and so popped outside to check on the horses. He’ll be back in a minute.”
“What a cheek! He should try putting on a corset and six layers of petticoats when he gets dressed.”
Mr Bell chuckled. “I’m sure that would make an interesting sight. Why don’t you help yourselves to some of those sausages before he comes back?”
Eliza smiled. “We shouldn’t start without him, although I suppose they will go cold. You two may, I’m not terribly hungry, and if we’re out for luncheon, I don’t want too much to eat in advance. What are the arrangements for the day?”
Mr Bell’s shoulders sagged. “It’s Sunday. We go to church, remember.”
Eliza let out a deep breath. “Yes, I’m aware of that; I mean afterwards.”
“Mrs Cranford wants us at one o’clock.”
“One o’clock!” Archie closed the door behind him as he joined them. “That won’t give us long to get back here, especially if you two dally as much in church as you do when you’re getting dressed.”
Eliza glared at her husband. “You know, one of these days I will make him put on six petticoats and see how he manages.”
“Well, not today,” Mr Bell said. “We can go in the carriage and that will give us an extra few minutes.”
“Won’t Mrs Cranford be in church?” Eliza asked.
