Free Death Comes to the Village by Catherine Lloyd

were well known in the village for their casual attitude to work and generally sly natures. But she’d thought better of Joseph, which was why she had prevailed upon Miss Amelia to take him on as an errand boy and general dogsbody.
    “Has he returned home? I’ll go and speak to him as soon as I am able.” Lucy picked up her basket.
    “I won’t take him back, Miss Harrington.”
    Lucy did her best imitation of her father. “Surely everyone deserves a second chance?”
    Miss Amelia’s expression took on a stubborn turn. “Not in this shop.”
    “Then who will do your deliveries for you?”
    “I’ll do them myself until I can find someone satisfactory.”
    “Would you like me to help?”
    “No, thank you, Miss Harrington. I think you’ve done enough.”
    Lucy forced a smile. “Then I’ll be off. Thank you for your assistance, and my good wishes to your sister.”
    She shut the door with rather more force than necessary, aware that Miss Amelia’s attitude toward the unfortunate Joseph was unlikely to change, and that she was probably correct that the boy had been stealing things. She doubted Major Kurland had any knowledge of young Joe, who had been born while he was away, but maybe he knew of his father, Ben? He was a large, powerfully built man who had been a boxer in his youth. If there had been any kind of disturbance in the village, it was highly likely that Ben Cobbins had been part of it.
    Lucy continued along the street. Despite her disappointment about Joseph, she had found out some information about who had been out that night that might interest the major. There had definitely been some unusual activity. Perhaps Mary had been one of the girls out and about in the village.
    A waft of cinnamon-flavored warm air flowed around her, and she found herself being waved down by an agitated-looking Mrs. Weeks from the open door of the bakery.
    “Miss Harrington!”
    “What is it, Mrs. Weeks?”
    Mrs. Weeks clasped one large floury hand to her bosom. “It’s my Daisy.”
    “Has she found a new situation?”
    “No, Miss Harrington—she’s up and run away to London!”

Chapter 5
    L ucy thrust her cloak and gloves at Foley, picked up her skirts, and hurried up the shallow stairs toward Major Kurland’s bedroom. She knocked on the door and barely waited for his peremptory command to enter. The major was sitting up in bed reading a newspaper, a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles perched on his aristocratic nose.
    “Are those my spectacles?” Lucy asked, her attention momentarily diverted.
    “I don’t know, are they?” Major Kurland studied her over the top of the frames. “I found them by my bed the other morning, and assumed that Bookman or Foley had acquired them for me.” He whipped them off his nose. “Do you want them back?”
    “Not if they are helping you. I have another pair at home because I am constantly misplacing the dratted things.”
    “I don’t wish to inconvenience you. I’ll ask Bookman to arrange for a pair to be made for me.”
    Lucy walked over to the side of the bed and observed the major more carefully. He looked rested, the dark shadows under his eyes less visible. “Please keep them until your own pair is ready for you.”
    “Thank you, Miss Harrington. I will, although I still find reading a strain on my eyes.”
    “Would you like me to read to you, sir?” She drew up a chair and sat beside the bed. She indicated the pile of letters on the nightstand. “You appear to have some outstanding correspondence.”
    “I’m aware of that. I haven’t even attempted to open most of it yet.” He grimaced. “It’s even harder to read handwriting than print.”
    “Don’t you have a secretary to attend to such matters for you?”
    “I’ve never needed one before.”
    “Perhaps you should advertise for one.”
    “Indeed.” He stared down at her, one eyebrow raised until she felt herself blush.
    “I apologize. My brother often describes me as a ‘managing’ female. Your