Free Murder Most Austen by Tracy Kiely

offer.” Grabbing my arm, and moving quickly to the doorway, she said, “Ian and Valerie, it was nice to meet you. John, I’m sure we’ll see you around.”
    “You can count on it,” he called out after us.
    *   *   *
    WE WERE MEETING Cora and Izzy at the Dower House situated in the renowned Royal Crescent Hotel. The hotel occupies two buildings of the iconic crescent that is featured in just about every movie filmed in Bath, but the restaurant was just as impressive. Located in a renovated coach house behind the hotel, the restaurant boasts large windows swathed in mink-colored silk and trimmed in light olive, which afford a view of the famed secluded one-acre garden. You could almost envision Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot strolling along the grounds.
    Cora and Izzy were already at the table when we arrived. “I have so many things to tell you,” Izzy gushed to me when I sat down. “I saw the most gorgeous dress today while out shopping. I want to get your opinion on it, but really, it’s like a bright shiny diamond in my head. I really think I must have it.”
    I laughed. “Well, if it’s a bright shiny diamond, then I think you will have to get it.”
    “Which reminds me,” Izzy continued, “what are you wearing tomorrow?”
    There were two costume events scheduled for the first day of the festival. In the morning there was the Regency Costume Promenade through the streets of Bath, followed in the evening with the Regency Masked Ball.
    I was just about to ask her if she meant the promenade or the ball, when she went on, “Because I was thinking, wouldn’t it be fun if we wore the same outfit? We could say we were sisters!”
    I stared at her, incredulous. First, there was simply no way anyone would ever mistake us for sisters and, second, what grown woman wants to invite comparisons by dressing as a twin? “Um, I’m wearing a simple white frock for the promenade and a blue one for the ball,” I said.
    “Oh, that is too bad. Mama and I got these gorgeous silk gowns last year in London. Mine is this amazingly deep shade of pink with a kind of feathery headdress. If Gucci were alive during the Regency, he would have made this dress.”
    “It sounds lovely,” I said. “I guess the modern-day equivalent for my dress would be the Gap.”
    “Oh, I’m sure it’s wonderful. Besides, with your looks you can pull anything off. It’s women like me who need the Gucci to elevate us a bit.”
    I laughed out loud at that. “You’re nuts. I thank you for the compliment, of course, but you’re still nuts.”
    Izzy affected an expression of disbelief. “It’s true! Fine, then, to prove my point, I will tell you this. The other day when we were having tea at Claridge’s, I saw Byron staring at you. And from the look on his face, it wasn’t because he found fault. So what do you say to that? Or do you only have eyes for Peter?”
    “I say that your eyes deceive you, and that, yes, mine are indeed only for Peter.”
    Across the table, Cora let out a little exclamation, and I turned her way. “Well, well, look who’s here,” she said, indicating a table not far from us with a nod of her head. “It’s Gail Baines.”
    We all looked where directed and saw a trim, blond, middle-aged woman. Her face was attractive, with high cheekbones and full lips. With her were Ian and Valerie. “I wonder if she’s heard about Richard’s latest stunt,” Cora continued.
    “Mama,” Izzy said, a warning note in her voice.
    Cora turned, her expression innocent. “What?”
    “You know perfectly well what. Stay out of it. Do not stir up trouble.”
    Cora sniffed. “Me? Me stir up trouble? The very idea. I beg to differ. It is Richard Baines who is stirring up trouble.”
    “Fine. Then let’s leave the subject alone for now. Shall we order?” Izzy said, indicating our menus.
    We all studied our options in momentary silence. “Oh, the Irish stew looks good,” said Aunt Winnie.
    “So does the steak and