Free Move Your Blooming Corpse by D. E. Ireland Page A

only suspect in the investigation. I’d like to find out exactly where Lady Saxton and Mrs. Turnbull were while Diana Price was being murdered.”
    â€œI suppose looking for their spouses isn’t much of an alibi,” Pickering said. “At least I’m glad you don’t have to ask Higgins for an alibi in this crime. We had quite enough of that this past spring.”
    â€œI can attest that it’s not pleasant being the prime suspect in a murder case,” Higgins said. “Who is on your list of suspects this time, Inspector?”
    â€œEveryone except you, Eliza, Uncle Alfred, and his wife.”
    â€œCould the ladies really be suspects in such a violent murder?” Sybil asked. “You once told me that women who kill usually choose poison. Stabbing someone with a pitchfork seems a far cry from poisoning a victim’s soup or wine.”
    â€œTrue, in most cases. But Gordon Longhurst and both ladies had a strong motive to commit murder due to the adulterous liaisons of their—”
    â€œEliza, thank heaven you’re all right!”
    Freddy Eynsford Hill had pushed past Mrs. Pearce and rushed into the dining room. Higgins set down his teacup with a loud clatter. Freddy’s sister Clara, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment for interrupting their meal, stood in the doorway. But Freddy drew Eliza into his arms and kissed her full on the mouth in front of everyone.
    Irritated, Higgins threw a buttered crumpet at Freddy. The mutton-headed dolt.
    *   *   *
    Eliza pushed Freddy away, her face flaming as pink as Clara’s. She wanted to box his ears. Instead, she snatched up the napkin that had fallen at her feet.
    â€œI’m fine. Really I am, Freddy.”
    â€œI was so worried, darling.” He ran a hand through his wavy blond hair. Despite his ridiculous behavior, Freddy’s adoring expression melted her heart. “The papers said someone was trampled during Ascot, just like at the Derby. I thought you’d been hurt.”
    â€œDon’t be silly. You’ll never see me running out in the middle of a horse race,” she said with a laugh. “That would be pure suicide.”
    â€œI also read a woman got stabbed with a pitchfork!”
    â€œAnd that would be murder,” Higgins said with a growl.
    Freddy ignored him. “I am quite relieved you survived Ascot, darling. Who knew that going to the races was so beastly dangerous? And you look beautiful as always. I missed you.”
    Eliza couldn’t help but smile up at him. “I missed you, too. But why are you both back so soon from the wedding in Brighton?”
    â€œI insisted we return early.” Clara walked over to the table. “Not that I wanted to go in the first place.”
    Eliza introduced Freddy and Clara to Sybil. “You both know my cousin Jack, of course. He and Miss Chase are engaged.”
    Clara, who was desperate to find a husband, seemed crestfallen at the news.
    â€œCongratulations.” Freddy cast a longing look at Eliza. “If only we could agree to set a date.”
    â€œHush, Freddy. Not now.”
    Mrs. Pearce directed several maids to bring tableware and silver for the new arrivals now seated between Pickering and Eliza. Eliza shook Freddy off at last and poured the rest of the tea. Clara only nibbled at the full plate the maid placed before her, but Freddy ate everything with ravening speed as if he’d skipped meals for a week. They both looked a bit sunburnt from their seaside visit to Brighton.
    Although the Eynsford Hill family possessed the manners of the gentry, they lacked the money to truly play the part. Eliza noticed that Clara’s pale blue linen dress had seen its fair share of summers, while her hat ribbon was frayed. And Clara’s shell brooch, painted to resemble bluebells, looked cheap compared to Sybil’s amethyst leaf-shaped pin. She felt a wave of pity for Freddy’s eighteen-year-old