Free 3 Service for Two by Kate Kingsbury Page A

breath. “My name is Cecily Sinclair,” she said distinctly.
    “Cecily,” he repeated. “A charming name for a most charming lady.”
    Annoyed that she was succumbing to such blatant flattery, Cecily ignored the compliment. “You were talking about me?”
    The doctor raised an amused eyebrow at her bluntness. “I saw you standing by a grave out there. I was in the act of inquiring of the Reverend Carter-Holmes as to your name, when you appeared on the scene. Much to my very great pleasure.”
    “My late husband’s grave,” Cecily informed him, determined not to be put off-guard again.
    “Please accept my sincere condolences,” Dr. Prestwick murmured, looking not at all sincere. “Not too recent, I hope?”
    She gave him a cool look that failed to dim the gleam in his eye. “Not too. I understand you are taking over for Dr. McDuff?”
    “Yes, that is so. On a temporary basis.” His smile deepened. “Regrettably.”
    Cecily had the distinct impression she was losing the battle. “I hope you have found suitable accommodation?”
    “I have made arrangements to occupy the McDuff house until it is sold. By then I imagine the permanent doctor will be appointed, within the next few weeks at least.”
    “I expect your wife will miss you. Unless she will be staying with you?” Not that it was any of her business, Cecily inwardly chided herself.
    Dr. Kevin Prestwick bowed his head. “Unhappily I am in the same situation as yourself. My dear wife died more than three years ago.”
    “Oh, I’m so very sorry.”
    “Thank you.” His gaze rested briefly on her mouth. “I appreciate your sympathy.”
    “Ah … if you will excuse me …” Algie sputtered. “I … ah … have to take care of some duties….”
    “Please do,” the doctor murmured. “I must be getting along also.”
    Pulling herself together, Cecily remembered why she had returned to the church. “If you can spare a moment, vicar,” she said hastily, “I would like a word with you.”
    “Oh, yes! Of course.” Algie’s eyes swiveled toward Dr. Prestwick. “That is … ah …”
    The doctor looked a little disappointed, but engineered a smile at the bobbing clergyman. “I must be off. So nice to have met you, vicar. I look forward to attending your services while I am here.”
    Algie’s pale hands fluttered nervously, then clung together in front of his chest. “I shall … ah … enjoy that also … Dr. … ah … Post—Prestwick … very much. Yes, indeed.”
    The doctor turned back to Cecily and gave her another of his snappy bows. “Mrs. Sinclair? It was indeed a great honor to meet you. I trust we shall meet again in the not too distant future?”
    “Possibly,” Cecily murmured, deciding not to offer her hand again.
    For a moment his gaze warmed her face; then with a nod he left them to stride rapidly down the aisle to the doors.
    The church felt cold after he’d gone. Dismissing the absurd notion, Cecily smiled at Algie. “He seems a pleasant man.”
    “Oh, yes … most charming, most charming.” Algie stared for a moment at the closed doors, then blinked and shifted his gaze back to Cecily. “There was something you wished to … ah … discuss with me?”
    “Oh, yes.” She had to think for a moment. “I happened to see P.C. Northcott just before I left to go out to the graveyard. I was wondering if by chance he had any news about the unfortunate young man found in Dr. McDuff’s coffin.”
    Algie’s eyes lit up with excitement behind the round lenses of his glasses. “Well, yes, as a matter of fact, yes, he did. It appears that they found a bundle of … ah … clothing buried near Deep Willow Pond. The police think they must … ah … belong to the dead man.”
    “They think? They’re not sure?”
    “No … ah … no, there was no identification found on the clothes, but they were covered with blood, so they … assume the young man was wearing them when he was … ah … killed.”
    Algie’s face had turned a