Murder at the Hunt Ball : A 1920s Historical Cozy Mystery Read online

  “That could mean anything. She might be worried about making a bad impression.” As she spoke, Evie kept her eyes on Twiggy Lloyd. “She could be saying they should invite us in for a cup of tea to make up for her transgression. Remember, she accused me of being in cahoots with Loony Lotte.”

  “But you are.”

  “She doesn’t know that.”

  “Well, she’s doing a lot of talking and he’s just listening.”

  “My kind of man,” Evie teased.

  “They’re coming.” Tom jumped out, rounded the motor car and opened the door for Evie. “Stop looking at Twiggy Lloyd and put on your charm.”

  “For your information, I never switch it off.”

  Sterling Wright approached them and greeted them with a bright smile. “Lady Woodridge. What a pleasant surprise. Marjorie has just told me what you did for her. I am in your debt.”

  A slim man in his mid-thirties, his angular features, including a sharp nose, gave him a severe look. However, when he smiled, his face lit up.

  Evie introduced Tom and, as hoped, Sterling Wright invited them in for refreshments.

  As they stepped inside the house, Evie heard the crunch of footsteps on the gravel.

  Turning, she saw Twiggy Lloyd leading his horse. He handed the reins to a groom and made his way inside.

  Sterling noticed him. Stopping, he made the introductions.

  If there were any ill feelings between the two men, they did not show it. Despite the fact they’d just been arguing, Evie didn’t pick up any awkwardness between the two men.

  After a polite exchange, Twiggy Lloyd excused himself saying he needed to freshen up.

  Sterling Wright led them through to a large library where the footmen were just finishing setting up.

  Everyone helped themselves to tea and made small-talk about the view and the weather.

  They heard some other guests returning from their ride. Evie braced herself for the introductions, but they all made their way directly upstairs.

  “It was an informal ride,” Sterling explained. “We went out with the hounds earlier today. I do hope you’ll join us tomorrow.”

  Marjorie Devon took a quick sip of her tea, set her cup down and excused herself saying, “I really need to change out of these clothes and I feel the heel of my shoe is about to come off. They were certainly not made for running.”

  Evie wondered how much Marjorie had told Sterling. Also, she wished she knew if Lotte had told him about her disguises. If he knew about them, he might be prepared to brush off Marjorie’s complaint allowing Lotte to continue with her investigation.

  Sterling Wright didn’t appear to be in a hurry to see them on their way, so Evie took the plunge and mentioned the threatening letters.

  “How did you hear about them?” Sterling asked.

  “Your fiancée mentioned them when she accused Looney Lotte of sending them.”

  Sterling Wright nodded. “Marjorie mentioned her encounter with a beggar woman.”

  Evie didn’t know if she should mention it had actually been Lotte.

  “Looney Lotte.” Sterling smiled and shook his head. “It can’t be a coincidence.”

  “What do you mean?”

  To her surprise, he mentioned hiring Lotte. “She’s supposed to be discreet,” he said. “I had no idea what measures she would take.”

  That answered her questions. However, Evie decided to avoid any mention of her association with Lotte, at least until she’d spoken with her and sorted out the details. “Can you think of any reason why someone would target your fiancée?”

  He looked down at his cup of tea. “No, not unless they’re using her to get to me.”

  “And why would someone do that?”

  He chortled. “Any number of reasons. I have significant interests in the racing world. It’s possible I might have upset someone.”

  “In what way?” Evie asked, her tone conversational.

  He shrugged. “I can’t really imagine. I only know I’m involved in a highly competitive arena.”

  Evie remembered Tom mentioning the purchase of a horse at auction. Maybe Sterling Wright had outbid the wrong person.

  He looked pensive. “It can’t have anything to do with racing. The season is over. Otherwise, I might imagine someone wanted to distract me.”

  “What do you mean? Distract you from what?”

  “I like to involve myself in the training of the horses. If I’m distracted, it could impact the outcome of a race.”

  Evie tried to think of another angle they might explore. “When did Miss Devon start receiving the letters?

  He didn’t have to think about it. “About two weeks ago.”

  “Can you think of anything significant that might have happened at about that time?”

  He looked at her for a long moment and then set his cup down. “I purchased a horse, Mighty Warrior.” He looked worried and after a moment he smiled. “No, this can’t have anything to do with my horses.”

  An hour later…

  Sterling Wright had guided the conversation away from the letters, spending a considerable amount of time convincing Evie and Tom to join in the hunt.

  Saying she would have their horses sent over the next day, they excused themselves and returned to Halton House.

  Tom waited until they arrived to ask, “Well, what did you make of all that?”

  “The first thought that comes to mind?”

  Tom nodded.

  “Sterling Wright told us a great deal without telling us anything.” He had to be an astute man and yet he hadn’t made the connection between the purchase of a new horse and the start of a campaign of threats.

  Edgar met them at the door and took their coats and gloves.

  “I hope we’re not late.” Evie looked at her watch. “Oh, it’s nearly time to change for dinner.”

  Edgar nodded. “I was about to ring the gong, my lady. The dowagers arrived five minutes ago and...” he cleared his throat. “Loony Lotte is still here. She wonders if someone could drive her back to the village where she left her motor car. As she wishes to remain inconspicuous, she would like to wait until dark. Of course, that means she also wishes to be fed again.”

  “And where is she now? With the dowagers and Toodles?”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  Edgar’s willingness to play along and adjust to unexpected circumstances never ceased to surprise Evie.

  Evie made her way to her room to change for dinner saying, “I suppose we have no choice but to let them in on the case.”

  She walked into her bedroom, her thoughts filled with everyone’s odd behavior. Had she misread the situation? Why should she expect Sterling Wright to respond to her intrusive questions with detailed replies? She’d been lucky he’d given her any sort of reply.

  Evie found Caro examining a gown. After the eventful morning she’d had, she looked forward to a relaxing chat. Eventually, she thought, she’d tell Caro about Lotte’s proposal and watch her maid’s reaction. Evie knew Caro would be excited by the prospect of possibly playing the role of her cousin thrice removed.

  “Hello, Caro.”

  “Milady! I wondered when you’d come up. I’ve been fretting all afternoon. No one will tell me anything. When I found Looney Lotte in the kitchen, I immediately knew you’d be working a case.”

  Caro looked flushed with excitement.

  “Didn’t Lotte fill you in?”

  “No, in fact, she stayed in character the whole time. At one point, she even became hysterical and tried to pull her hair out.”

  Amused by the mental image that formed in her mind, Evie sat at her dressing table and removed her earrings. “I’ll be needing my riding clothes tomorrow, Caro. The breeches, not the skirt.”

  Caro gasped.

  Evie didn’t give her the opportunity to express her opinions. “Do you ride?”

  “Me, milady? Heavens, no. I tried it once but I lost my breakfast.”

  “In that case, you’ll have to
get your tweeds out. We’ll need Lady Carolina Thwaites to make an appearance.”

  Caro gasped again and Evie thought she heard her say, “This is too much.”

  Stumbling back, Caro eased down onto the edge of the bed.

  “Caro? Are you crushing my evening gown?”

  Jumping to her feet, Caro smoothed out the dress.

  Glancing at her maid’s reflection in the mirror, Evie said, “You might as well know I am giving serious thought to joining Lotte’s lady detective agency.”

  Gasping yet again, Caro once again lowered herself onto the bed.

  “Caro, are you coming down with something?”

  “A case of shock, milady.”

  “You’re surprised?”

  “I should have known something was about to happen when the dowager asked me to accompany her tomorrow.”

  “Which one?”

  “Lady Henrietta.”

  Evie’s eyebrow curved up. “Where is she going?”

  “She wants to follow the hunt.”

  It was Evie’s turn to gasp. “Henrietta? On foot? As a spectator? Following the hunt?”

  “I found it odd too, milady. And then, your mother-in-law and Toodles said they would be going along too.”

  “Did they say why?”

  “I only heard part of the conversation. Apparently, they mean to get to the bottom of something.”

  Heavens, what could that possibly mean? “Did they decide this after they heard about Looney Lotte?”

  Caro nodded.

  “That makes sense,” Evie murmured.

  Having recovered from her shock, Caro helped Evie change into her gown. “So what will Lady Carolina be expected to do?”

  “Mingle and listen. I’ll tell the host you arrived by surprise. He’ll understand I couldn’t leave you behind.”

  A light knock at the door was followed by Lotte’s entrance. She still wore her costume and looked quite comfortable in it.

  “You have a lot of explaining to do,” Evie said.

  Lotte groaned. “There’s no time for that. I have until tomorrow to work out another strategy. Miss Devon will be more vigilant now.”

  “How did she ever find you out?”

  Lotte rifled through a small box of trinkets almost as if she needed a part of her to remain in character. “I expected her to go home straight after her dressmaking appointment. Instead, she lingered in the village. Then, she went inside the tearooms. I hovered nearby and I might have peered through the window a couple of times. Anyhow, she must have gone out the back door. Next thing I knew, she crept up on me and accused me of following her.”

  “Yes, but how did you both end up here?” Evie tried to picture the scene with both women crossing the small memorial park and then dashing through the lane and into the open field. The Halton House estate bordered the village. Despite that, there were still the open fields to traverse. It would have been quite a hike.

  “I couldn’t give myself away so I started acting like a mad woman.” Lotte grinned. “I sort of got carried away. In fact, I found it rather liberating.”

  “And no one came to her rescue?”

  “A few people looked out of their windows. That’s when I decided to steer her toward Halton House.”

  Evie shook her head. “I still don’t understand how Miss Devon allowed herself to be herded here. In her place, I would have tried to find shelter in one of the premises. Anyhow, I suspect it all worked out in your favor. You have me cornered now. I have no choice but to step in and do my bit.”

  Lotte picked up a pair of earrings. Holding them up to her ears, she walked up to stand behind Evie and used the mirror to study her reflection and admire the earrings. “I hope you befriended Marjorie Devon. She’s bound to go into the village again and I’ll have to keep my distance. You could accompany her or… you could bump into her by accident.”

  Evie shook her head. “I’ve already suggested that. She says she prefers to go alone. I considered visiting Mrs. Green’s establishment. But, I can’t do it tomorrow because Tom and I will be at the hunt.”

  “You’re riding?”

  Evie made her mind up on the spot. “Yes, why are you so surprised?”

  “I suppose I could be a spectator and come as myself. I need to see this with my own eyes.”

  “What about Marjorie? I doubt she’ll ride. You’ll have to find some other way of following her. Although, perhaps Sterling Wright should suggest she stay at the house for the time being.” Standing up, Evie turned her attention to finishing dressing for dinner. When she finished, she sat down again to let Caro work on her hair. “By the way, what’s in the letters she received? I tried to ask Sterling but he changed the subject.”

  “He only showed me one letter.” Lotte sat on the edge of the bed and picked at one of the patches on her coat. “It cut straight to the chase saying Marjorie Devon would pay.”

  “How was it phrased?”

  “You’ll pay big time.”

  What had she done to earn someone’s ire? “What do you know about her?”

  “She comes from a good family. No title. Her father works in banking. They’ve always lived in town. She’s been engaged before but he perished in the war.”

  Evie gave a small shake of her head. “The surplus two million,” she whispered. Just after the war, there had been an estimated one million women destined to a life of spinsterhood because so many men had been lost. Then, recently, the Census had been published and the figure had doubled. Newspapers had unkindly dubbed them the ‘superfluous women’ destined to lead unfulfilled lives as if marriage alone could provide them with an acceptable, useful role in life. Books were being written about the problem, focusing on the far-reaching consequences. One woman, at least, wouldn’t have to worry.

  Evie had noticed the age difference between Marjorie Devon and Sterling Wright. Had she settled for what she could get? Some women would find a second-best choice better than no choice at all.

  Glancing at Caro she worried her young maid might have missed out on finding a husband. She knew Caro had dreams of someday marrying. Broadening her horizons, Evie thought, would certainly increase her chances. She could definitely do something about that, even at the risk of losing her.

  “How did Marjorie Devon meet Sterling Wright?” Evie asked.

  “At a charity event.”

  Evie couldn’t help expressing the first thought that came to mind. “Did she steal him away from someone else?”

  Caro growled softly.

  “What is it, Caro?” Evie asked.

  “Why do you assume she’s at fault?”

  “I don’t. At least, I don’t believe I assumed. It’s just a possibility. She is strong-minded. And I’m trying to think of reasons why someone would send her threatening letters.” Evie shrugged. “She strikes me as the type who enjoys having her way. For instance, she’s staying at her fiancé’s house but instead of enjoying the entertainment and mingling with the guests, she goes off by herself because country sports don’t hold her interest. It makes me wonder what she has in common with Sterling Wright.”

  “Yes, and there’s a significant age difference,” Lotte offered. “He appears to be in his early forties.”

  “Mid-thirties, I think.” Evie sighed. “If we can’t follow her, we might have to find a way to stay at the house without anyone suspecting.”

  “That leaves me out,” Lotte said. “Sterling Wright would recognize me straightaway and I’m sure Marjorie Devon would too, even if I put on my best disguise.”

  Evie gave a firm nod. “It’ll have to be me.”

  “How will you manage it, milady? You live so close to the house, you can’t use distance as an excuse.”

  “I’m going riding tomorrow. I could have an accident.”

  Caro gasped and gave a fierce shake of her head. “Milady. No.”

  “It wouldn’t be real. I could pretend I’ve come off my horse and… sprained my ankle.” She tilted her head in thought. “Would
that be credible enough?”

  Lotte shook her head. “Tom Winchester should be able to drive you back home.”

  “True. Then, I’ll have to suffer an injury that won’t allow me to travel.”

  Caro went pale. “That is asking for trouble, milady. I’m not sure I can allow that.”

  “Thank you for your concern, Caro. But I can assure you nothing bad will happen to me. I will only be pretending to be injured.”

  “And how will you attend the ball?”

  “I will have recovered by then.”

  Caro shook her head. “I don’t see it working in your favor. The whole point to you being there is to be close to the guests, but they will be out and about riding and you will most likely be convalescing in your room.”

  Evie exchanged a look with Lotte. “I hadn’t thought of it that way. We’ll have to think of something else. They’ll be riding every day until the ball which marks the end of the foxhunting season.” Evie shuddered. “Poor fox.”

  Lotte groaned. “Please don’t get it into your head to liberate the fox.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Because you have been known to do strange things.”

  “Then why are you so keen for me to join your lady detective agency?”

  “Because sometimes your unconventional, strange ideas get results.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Evie rose to her feet. “I believe we have no other option. We must recruit the dowagers and Toodles. But, first, I’ll need to make a telephone call.”

  Chapter 5

  Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed

  Hillsboro Lodge

  The next morning

  Tom complimented Evie, “You look very fetching in your riding breeches.”

  “As do you.”

  Whistling, he brought the roadster to a stop. Ahead, near the front entrance to Hillsboro Lodge, the riders were already congregated, some already mounted on their hunters, others mingling while footmen were busy distributing drinks and fruit cake. The hounds were running around yapping with excitement as they sensed the thrill of the chase.

  Evie lifted her chin. “Before we go on, I would like it to go on the record that I disapprove of the idea of chasing after a poor fox. And that is all I’m going to say on the subject but I will do my best to enjoy a good gallop without breaking my neck.” Evie cringed. “Please stop me if I try to intervene and rush to the fox’s rescue.”