Free A Death in the Wedding Party by Caroline Dunford

fire me if I didn’t do it.’
    ‘Blimey,’ said Merry, ‘they really don’t like you, do they?’
    ‘Something to do with trying to get Lord Stapleford hanged for murder, I expect.’
    ‘That and seducing the younger son of the house.’
    ‘Merry!’ I cried. ‘I have never seduced anyone.’
    ‘Yeah, I know,’ said Merry. ‘You’ve never been one to take advantage of your position like a proper servant would. But you can’t deny Mr Bertram isn’t sweet on you.’
    ‘Honestly, I think Bertram’s feelings for me swing between intense annoyance and mild affection.’
    ‘I’ve seen the intense annoyance,’ said Merry with a grin. ‘Now come here, I’ve got to re-pin all your bloody hair for dinner.’
    ‘I have to have a bath first and change my dress and jewellery.’
    ‘Lord, what a bloody palaver!’ said Merry. ‘I’ll be glad when this is all over.’ I couldn’t help but heartily agree.
    ______________
    7 After all, he pays them not to have any ...

Chapter Eleven
Polite Conversation Before Dinner
    I doubt there are more dangerous situations than the English pre-dinner drinks. It is a time when reputations can be shredded, alliances forged or severed and all over a sweet sherry.
    None of the Staplefords had thought to collect me from my chambers, so when the gong went I made my way down the huge marble staircase trusting the noise of social exchange would guide me. The company was standing in the large entrance hall. On all sides ran a mistral’s gallery and the hall itself was the full height of the building. The gaping maw of a fireplace had been banked up with a small forest, but the warmth had not spread and the company were gently jostling for places close to the fire. Their voice mostly high pitched and nasal echoed unpleasantly. A frequent braying laugh betrayed Tippy’s presence. As I descended I saw him with his arm around Richenda’s waist talking to the Earl. A break in the conversation unfortunately carried Tippy’s comment up to echo in the hall, ‘I’m her birthday night surprise,’ he said and brayed again. The Earl’s face became even more stony. He looked much like a hawk who thinks he is swooping down upon a tasty rabbit, only to discover that it is an inedible toad.
    ‘He’s not doing himself any favours, is he?’ said a soft voice at my elbow. The voice had a faint West Country burr. I caught my breath and then turned to see Mr Fitzroy looking down at me. 8 He was dressed a great deal more smartly than he had been in the Highlands when we had last met, but there remained something neat, tidy and forgettable about his entire appearance. He gave me a slight, wry smile. ‘Allow me to escort you over to the drinks,’ he said and offered me his arm.
    ‘Sir, have we met?’ I said in crisp English, but a low voice.
    Fitzroy’s answer was even softer. ‘Don’t be foolish, Euphemia Martins.’ I slid my arm through his and allowed his to escort me to a silent, stiff servant, who was holding out a drinks tray. He picked up one for us both and led me towards the window. We were now a little way away from the nearest guests, but clearly in sight of the whole hall.
    ‘I suppose if anyone would see through my disguise it would be you,’ I said taking my drink from him. ‘What do you propose to do?’
    ‘You mean will I give you up?’
    ‘Yes,’ I said swallowing and nodding slightly at a gentleman with a monocle.
    ‘You’re keeping remarkably calm,’ said Fitzroy maddeningly. ‘Tell me there is more to this charade than Richenda Stapleford’ s pride?’
    I gritted my teeth. ‘There is the small matter of keeping my position.’
    ‘I am disappointed,’ said Fitzroy, turning slightly to stare out of the window behind us.
    ‘So?’
    ‘If you had done your homework you would know that the lady you are misrepresenting and I have a history.’
    ‘This is a Stapleford plan,’ I said acidly. ‘Do you think they would have thought things through.’
    Fitzroy