Free Crystal Gardens by Amanda Quick Page B

if she knew that the only reason Lucas Sebastian was taking up space in the parlor was his tenant had been chased onto the grounds of Crystal Gardens sometime after two in the morning by a knife-wielding murderer. Then, again, those details would not cause nearly as much breathless gossip as the news that the tenant in question had arrived at the abbey attired only in her nightclothes. There were some things best left unexplained.
    “Go along to the parlor, ma’am.” Molly motioned toward the door.“You don’t want to keep a fine gentleman like Mr. Sebastian waiting. It’s a great honor to have him here for tea.”
    “Thank you for reminding me of my duties as a hostess,” Evangeline said.
    But the irony was lost on Molly, who was fussing very earnestly with the tea things.
    Muffled voices drifted down the hallway. Alarmed, Evangeline rushed back to the parlor. She yanked open the door, nipped inside and hastily shut the door behind her.
    “For heaven’s sake, keep your voices down,” she said in a loud whisper. “If Molly hears you talking about Sharpy Hobson or the events of last night, the gossip will be all over town before the sun goes down.”
    Lucas gave her a benign smile. He lounged with easy masculine grace, one shoulder propped against the wall near the window. His arms were folded across his broad chest.
    Clarissa and Beatrice were sitting on two of the spindly chairs, the skirts of their walking gowns draped around their high-button boots. They both chuckled.
    “You may be surprised to know that we had already deduced that for ourselves,” Beatrice said. “As a matter of fact, we were discussing farming matters.”
    “Farming?”
Evangeline sank back against the door, both hands behind her wrapped tightly around the knob. “Why on earth would you want to talk about agriculture at a time like this?”
    “I was explaining to Miss Lockwood and Miss Slate that the farms around Little Dixby have always been extremely productive,” Lucas said. “Crops thrive here. The villagers will tell you that you can grow anything on these lands and they have done so for generations. The roses in local gardens are extraordinary.”
    “Oh, I see.” Evangeline frowned, thinking about what he had said.“I expect the fact that this place is a vortex has something to do with the success of the local farms and gardens.”
    Lucas’s brows rose. His beast-of-prey eyes heated a little. “You are aware that Little Dixby may be a paranormal vortex?”
    “Yes, and if my father was correct, the focal point is Crystal Gardens,” Evangeline said. “That’s why I’m here, you see.”
    “No,” Lucas said deliberately, “I do not see.”
    “Never mind, it’s not important.” She heard the rattle of cups on a tray. “That will be Molly.”
    She whirled about and opened the door. Molly walked into the room, moving very carefully with the heavily laden tray. Lucas straightened away from the window.
    “That looks heavy,” he said. “Let me take that for you.”
    Molly blushed a bright pink. “It’s no trouble, sir.”
    But Lucas had already removed the tray from her hands. He set it on the small table.
    “Thank you, sir,” Molly said. She gave Evangeline a hopeful look. “Shall I pour, ma’am?”
    “No, thank you, Molly.” Evangeline smiled and sat on the sofa, automatically twitching her skirts into the proper folds. “I’ll take care of it. Run along home.”
    “Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.” Molly dipped another stiff little curtsy and went back out into the hall. She closed the door quietly.
    Evangeline picked up the teapot and began to pour. Everyone paid a great deal of attention to the tea service until they heard the muffled thud of the kitchen door closing. A moment later Molly could be seen through the front window hurrying away down the lane.
    The news that Lucas was taking tea with the new tenant at the cottage and her fashionable London friends would soon be common knowledge in the