I walked the short distance to Nana Jo’s villa and let myself inside. As much as I enjoyed Gaston’s food, I needed a little quiet to sift through everything I’d heard.
At Nana Jo’s, I found a can of vegetable soup in the cabinet. I heated it and made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Nana Jo’s beverage selection was limited to alcohol, coffee, and Coke, but I found a shriveled-up lemon and made a glass of lemon ice water. One of the best features of Nana Jo’s house was the unobstructed view she had of Lake Michigan. I put my food on a tray and sat in the sunroom at the back of the house where I could curl up on the window seat and eat and enjoy the view and think.
Before I could take my first spoonful of soup, my phone rang. When I glanced at the picture that popped up, I smiled. Lexi and Angelo stared back at me.
I quietly swiped the phone and smiled. “Hello, how are you doing?”
Lexi and Angelo were both excited and talked quickly and simultaneously, so it was hard to distinguish what they were saying, but it didn’t really matter. The sound of their voices was far more important to me than the actual words being spoken. Both were happy and that was the important thing.
Lexi and Angelo were orphaned when their parents were killed several years ago in a car accident while on a trip from New York to Chicago. Unfortunately, their relatives in Italy had no idea where the children were. Both were too young to remember their family roots extended to Italy, although they both spoke Italian. When the pair landed in Frank’s restaurant, he’d used his connections to discover the history none of the governmental agencies had been able to find. The grandparents had been so excited when they learned the children were alive and well. They had immediately flown to the States. The plan was the grandparents would spend the week in the States getting reacquainted with them before taking them back to Italy after the new year. However, it appeared, the grandparents weren’t the only ones who’d traveled to the United States. If Angelo was to be believed, he had lots of cousins who had flown over, and he was enjoying playing with them and teaching them English.
“That’s great. I’m so excited for you both.” I tried to keep the sadness out of my voice. It really was a wonderful thing that the pair would be reunited with family. Their foster family in Chicago had been horrible and I didn’t relish the idea that they would ever have to see that couple again.
Our call was short. Both children merely wanted to say hello and it warmed my heart to hear their voices.
When we disconnected, I cried a bit and then pulled myself together and reheated my soup in the microwave.
After I ate, I sat on the window seat, looking out the window, and pulled my notepad out of my purse. I jotted down notes from my conversations with Caroline Fenton and Sarah Jane Howard, while they were still fresh in my mind. I tried to make sense of what I’d learned, but, after about twenty minutes of doodling, I gave up and decided to do something else to help organize my thoughts.
Writing British historic cozy mysteries had been a dream of mine for a long time. After my husband’s death, I realized life was too short to keep dreams bottled up and had pursued not only our shared dream of opening a mystery bookstore but my dream of being a published author. Nana Jo was the one who first helped me realize that writing allowed my subconscious mind to sort through the details of what I was dealing with in real life. So, I decided a little writing might help me make sense of things.
Lady Elizabeth Marsh picked up the receiver of the telephone and had barely finished with her greeting before Desmond Tarkington interrupted.
“Lady Elizabeth, I hate to bother you at this late hour, but as you can imagine, the tragic accident that has led to the death of my beloved cousin has left me bereft.”
Lady Elizabeth struggled to keep the irritation out of her voice. “I’m very sorry to hear that, but I hardly see how I—”
“I’ve heard from Mrs. Sanderson, how incredibly helpful your ladyship was during the last hours of her life. I was hoping you might be able to provide some comfort during our time of mourning and would consider a trip to Battersley Manor.” He paused briefly before hurrying on. “Or I would be more than happy to make a trip to Wickfield Lodge, if that would be more convenient.”
She was silent for several moments. “Actually, I promised Eleanor I’d stop by Battersley, and I like to keep my word. So, if it’s convenient, I’d prefer to come there.”
Desmond Tarkington was ecstatic to entertain her ladyship and spent several minutes thanking her for her kindness, generosity, and compassion to condescend to visit his humble abode.
Lady Elizabeth confirmed the plan to visit Battersley Manor the next day and hung up the phone. She paused for a brief moment before entering the library. She searched for a few moments until she found the book she wanted and then pulled it down from the shelf. It was a favorite by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice. Lady Elizabeth flipped through the pages of the much-read novel until she found the passage she wanted. She smiled to herself while she read.
Lord William watched his wife in silence. When she was done, he asked, “What could that Desmond Tarkington fellow possibly want at this time of night that would draw you to Jane Austen?”
Lady Elizabeth returned to her seat and picked up her knitting. “He called to invite me to Battersley Manor.”
Lord William stared at his wife in shocked silence for a moment before blustering. “You can’t be serious. What nerve. I hope you sent him away with a flea in his ear.”
Lady Elizabeth smiled. “Actually, I accepted his invitation.”
Shocked speechless, Lord William stared at his wife in disbelief. “You can’t go . . . why . . . this is ridiculous. I won’t stand for it.” He slapped his leg, which was propped on the footstool, causing the duke to clench his jaw in pain.
“I’ll be fine, dear. No need to worry. I shan’t go alone, and I certainly won’t be staying in that house. I looked up Battersley Manor, and it’s very close to Dinsmore.” She stared at her husband. “You remember Dinsmore is where Lady Alistair goes to take the waters. I think I’ll ask her to accompany me.” She stopped knitting and thought for a moment. “Maybe I’ll even take Clara with me.”
“Disgusting odor.” He frowned.
“I know the mineral baths do have a rather potent odor, but many people swear by them.”
Lord William was familiar enough with his wife to realize when she’d made up her mind. “Well, it’s clear you can’t go unaccompanied. I’ll just have to go with you.”
Lady Elizabeth smiled fondly at her husband. “Don’t be ridiculous, dear. You can’t possibly travel with your gout.”
“Maybe I’ll take the waters,” he blustered.
“Excellent idea. We can ask Thompkins to come and bring a chair to wheel you to the baths.” She smiled at her husband.
Lord William muttered and folded his arms.
Lady Elizabeth smiled fondly at her husband. She knew her husband would rather have his leg amputated before he would allow himself to be wheeled around.
Lord William started to protest but was stopped when Lady Elizabeth said, “However, I may ask Detective Inspector Covington to join us. I’m sure even policemen must be able to take a holiday sometimes.” She knitted while smiling.
“If you’re going to do this, maybe you can at least humor me and tell me what that young man could possibly have said to you that caused you to consult Pride and Prejudice?”
Lady Elizabeth smiled. “Nothing, really. I just thought I recognized some of the flowery language used by Desmond Tarkington as belonging to Mr. Collins.”
Lord William gaped at his wife. “Mr. Collins?”
Lady Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, I think Mr. Desmond Tarkington must be, like Mr. Collins, one of the stupidest men in England.”