Berried Alive (Manor House Mystery) (13 page)

Marge nodded in triumph. She reached inside her basket and fished out a yellow packet, which she waved in the air. "Scented soap," she declared. "It smells bloomin' smashing."

"Oo, let me smell!" There was a horrible scraping
sound of chairs being pushed back as the ladies eagerly crowded around Marge.

"I was the one that told her about it," Nellie loudly complained. "Look, I got some, too!"

"Where did you get it?" Maisie Parsons demanded. "I never saw nothing like that. My granddaughter would love some of that."

"You'll have to go up to the Manor House to get it then," Marge told her. "Lady Elizabeth's barmy butler gave it to me."

"He gave me some, too!" Nellie shouted, obviously put out by having been robbed of all the attention.

No one paid her any notice.

Rita decided it was time to take back the floor. She clapped her hands again and, taking care not to raise her voice too high this time, declared, "Everyone who has bootlaces in their basket, hold up your hand."

"Does he have any of that soap left?" Maisie asked, quite rudely ignoring Rita's attempts to shush her up.

Marge shrugged. "Dunno. He pulled it out of his trousers pocket. He might have more in there. I couldn't tell."

"I'm surprised Nellie didn't take it all off him," Clara Rigglesby said, with a sour look on her face.

Nellie looked offended. "What, go in his trousers pockets? What d'you blinking take me for?"

"You've been in just about everyone else's trousers," Clara snapped.

Everyone laughed at that, even the other customers.

Nellie looked as if she might take a swipe at Clara's face, but Rita hurriedly intervened.

"I think that's enough," she said loudly. "Now, will you please hold up your hands if you have bootlaces."

"I'll go up to the Manor House this evening," Maisie said, peering into Marge's basket. "If that butler has any of that smelly soap left I'm going to get some and send it to my granddaughter in London."

"You can't," Nellie said, sounding peevish. "The scavenger hunt is over."

"Don't mean I can't go ask for some." Maisie squinted maliciously at Nellie. "Don't tell me you're going to give that soap to the servicemen. They start smelling all pretty and flowery when they're in the trenches and the rest of 'em will think they're poofs."

"Never mind what I'm going to do with the soap." Nellie glared back at her. "You can't go up to the Manor House and just ask for it. That's begging."

"Not if she takes some of her gingerbread up there," Marge said slyly. "I bet that butler would love to swap some of his soap for Maisie's gingerbread. He looks like a good meal would do him good."

"Good idea," Maisie said, smiling happily at her friend. "I just baked a batch this morning. I'll take some up there in exchange for the soap."

"Bootlaces!" Rita howled, abandoning all restraint. "We'll be here all afternoon if you don't start holding up your hands. Now who's got bootlaces?"

Eyes blazing, Nellie turned on her. "Oh, tie your bloody bootlaces around your neck and strangle yourself."

That did it. Trembling with outrage, Rita pointed a shaky finger at her. "You're disqualified, Nellie Smith. For disrupting the proceedings. What's more, you're suspended from the Housewives League for a month."

Amid gasps of horror, Nellie got up from the table, picked up her basket and said with a malicious sneer, "All
right. If I'm disqualified then I'm taking all this stuff with me. Except these." She took out a packet of bootlaces and flung them at Rita. "And you know what you can do with those."

With that she turned and headed for the door. By the time Rita had thought of a suitable retort, Nellie had disappeared into the street.

CHAPTER

9

Elizabeth was becoming impatient by the time Sadie came bustling back into the kitchen, a worried frown on her face.

"You're not going to sack me, are you, m'm? I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have this job. I mean, this is my home now, and I'd have to start all over again and—"

"Sadie," Elizabeth said gently. "I'm not going to let you go. You are far too valuable to this household."

"Oh, whew!" Sadie flopped down on a chair, fanning her face with her hand. Then, apparently realizing she hadn't been invited to do so, jumped up to her feet again. "Beg your pardon, m'm. I didn't mean to take liberties. I was just so relieved to hear you weren't going to sack me. I'm ever so happy here, and I wouldn't want to have to leave."

"Sit down, Sadie." Elizabeth smiled at her. "I just wanted to ask you a favor, that's all. But before I do, I want you to promise me that if you feel you'd rather not accept my proposal, I shall quite understand, and your decision shall in no way compromise your position in this household. I hope I make myself clear?"

Sadie looked even more worried now. "Oo, 'eck, it sounds serious."

"Well, it is, rather." Elizabeth sighed. "Sadie, I must ask for your solemn promise that you will not repeat a word of what I say to you now, and that you will tell no one about the favor I'm about to ask you. It's extremely important that no one knows what you are doing. If word got out it would not only jeopardize our plan, it could very well land you in a great deal of trouble."

"Blimey." Sadie's face paled. "Has it got anything to do with the war effort? 'Cos if so, I'll do anything you ask. I'd love to get one back at those buggers what bombed me out of me house."

Elizabeth cleared her throat. "Well, no, not exactly. It's to do with the American airmen who died recently. I'm sure you must have heard about it."

"Oh, yeah!" Sadie nodded her head. "Some kind of illness going around, so they say. I only hope to Gawd we don't get it here."

"Yes, well, I think that's very unlikely." Elizabeth paused, then added carefully, "It's quite possible that the men who died were poisoned."

Sadie's eyes widened. "On purpose?"

"We think so. Mostly because all the men who died were American airmen, and they all had red hair."

Sadie's look of amazement was almost comical. "Red hair? Someone poisoned them because they had red hair?"

"We think so, yes."

"But why the heck . . . ?"

"We don't know. Which brings me to the point." Elizabeth drew in a deep breath. "Major Monroe and I suspect that whoever gave those men the poison might very well do so again. We think it was given to the men while they were at the Tudor Arms. Major Monroe is suggesting that we use a decoy in the hopes of inducing the men to attempt to poison him, thereby catching them red-handed, so to speak."

"I see." Sadie chewed her bottom lip. "Seems like a good idea. Though a bit dodgy. What do I have to do?"

"Well, the major thought his decoy might hasten matters if he was . . . ah . . . showing a good deal of interest in a local girl, which could well be an incentive for the actions of these criminals."

Sadie's eyes gleamed. "You mean I'm supposed to neck with him?"

Elizabeth swallowed. "I believe that's the popular term, yes."

"In public?"

Elizabeth hid her smile. Sadie's look of outrage was just a little hypocritical. "Well, within the boundaries of good taste, of course."

"Of course." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "What's he look like? I don't think I could neck with just anyone. Even if it is for a good cause."

"I'm afraid I don't know. I haven't met him. But Major Monroe is bringing him to the library . . . " Elizabeth glanced at the clock, "in about ten minutes. If you think this is something you can do, I suggest we join them and discuss the matter. Major Monroe assures me the young man is very capable and you'll be quite safe in his hands."

Sadie sniffed. "Begging your pardon, m'm, but I haven't met a man yet who can say that."

"I didn't mean it in that way." Thoroughly uncomfortable, Elizabeth sought for the right words. She was decidedly out of her depth and already regretting she'd ever agreed to this plan. "What I meant—"

"It's all right, m'm. Really. I was just being sarky." Sadie pushed her chair back and stood. "If it means catching a bunch of murdering bleeders, I'll be happy to do whatever it takes. I know a lot of people don't like the Yanks, but that's because they don't know them. It don't give them no right to go around killing them, that's for sure."

"I heartily agree." Elizabeth rose, anticipation already tingling at the prospect of seeing Earl again. "Then let us talk to the men, and find out what we can do to rectify this unfortunate situation."

Sadie obediently followed her up to the library, where Earl was already waiting for them. A burly young man stood next to him, and he snatched off his cap the minute the women entered the room.

Earl had been right about his hair, Elizabeth thought, gazing at the cropped copper thatch on the young man's head. He definitely had red hair. She glanced at her housemaid, who seemed to have acquired a bashfulness totally unlike her usual demeanor.

Eyes cast down, hands clasped in front of her, Sadie displayed the perfect picture of a shy maiden about to meet a possible suitor.

Earl, who was acquainted with Sadie's forthright manner, seemed amused. "Your ladyship, Sadie, I'd like you both to meet second lieutenant, Joseph Hanson. Joe, this is Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton, the lady of the manor,
and Miss Sadie Buttons, an important member of Lady Elizabeth's household."

The young man inclined his head in Elizabeth's direction, then nodded at Sadie, his expression lacking emotion in typical military indifference. "Pleasure to meet you, ma'am. You, too, ma'am."

"The pleasure's entirely mine," Sadie said demurely.

Wondering how long her housemaid would be able to keep up the charade, Elizabeth said briskly, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant. I understand you're willing to help us apprehend some rather beastly hooligans."

"Yes, ma'am."

Elizabeth drew Sadie forward. "Sadie has very kindly offered to assist us in this endeavor." She glanced at Earl. "Do you have any specific instructions for her?"

"I've explained it all to Joe," Earl said, putting a hand on the young man's shoulder. "You need to make it look as if you're on a date at the pub, keep your eyes open and report back to me if you see anything suspicious. That's all, really." He smiled at Sadie. "Just pretend he's your boyfriend for the evening, all right?"

"Sounds good to me." Sadie's eyes gleamed, giving Elizabeth the impression that she rather liked the looks of her impending escort.

The young's man cheeks turned a pale shade of pink. There was no doubt as to who was going to get the most out of this situation, Elizabeth thought. She could only hope that Sadie behaved herself and didn't do anything to embarrass the charming lieutenant.

"You will be careful?" Elizabeth said, appealing to Lieutenant Hanson. "Four men have already died. I should hate to have another on my conscience."

"Don't worry, ma'am. I'll be careful."

"And you will take care of Sadie?"

"Yes, ma'am. She'll be safe with me."

Sadie's expression mirrored skepticism at that remark, and Elizabeth hastily turned to Earl. "I suppose it will be all right, then. When should they do this?"

"It will have to be tomorrow night." Earl peered at his watch. "We should be back by then."

So her hunch had been right, Elizabeth thought miserably. They were going on a mission this evening. "Very well," she said brightly. She looked at the lieutenant. "I'll leave it up to you two to make the arrangements."

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. Sir?" He saluted Earl, who returned it.

"Thank you, Joe. Perhaps Sadie can show you around the grounds before you leave, and you can get better acquainted." He glanced at Elizabeth. "Is that all right?"

She nodded. "Quite all right."

Sadie abandoned her pretense of shy maiden. "Come on, luv." She grabbed the startled young man by the arm. "I'll show you the sights."

Looking a little as if he were being led to slaughter, Joe followed her from the room. The door closed behind them, leaving Elizabeth staring after them with a sense of uneasiness.

"They will be all right, won't they?" she murmured.

"I think they're gonna be just fine." Earl moved closer to her, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Try not to worry, Elizabeth. I wouldn't have suggested this if I'd considered it too dangerous. I've warned Joe not to take his eyes off their drinks, and not to eat anything while they are at the pub."

Elizabeth let out her breath in a sigh. "That sounds all right. But I won't feel comfortable about them until they
are both safely back from their mission." She looked up at him, unsettled by his nearness to her. She could smell a faint aroma of an unfamiliar fragrance. It was both refreshing and disturbing, like the man who wore it. "That goes for you, too."

His eyebrows rose. "Me?"

"Tonight, I mean."

"Ah. Well, try not to worry about me either."

"You might as well tell me not to breathe."

His eyes darkened, and her heart skipped a beat. "I like the idea of you worrying about me," he said softly.

She only had to tilt her chin, lean in a little closer, and she had no doubt what the outcome would be. She wanted that kiss, longed for it, ached for it, and for a second or two contemplated abandoning her principles and going for it.

Years of conditioning, however, could not be denied. She was the daughter of an earl and he was a married man. Being a divorced woman was a disgrace enough already. She could not compound her mistakes.

"I worry about all of you." She drew back, forcing him to drop his hands. "You and your men have become a second family to us all here, and we all worry about you."

If he was disappointed by her withdrawal, he showed no sign of it. Instead, he reached for his cap, saying lightly, "I have to get back to the base. Is our date for tomorrow night still on?"

She looked at him in surprise. Surely he didn't expect her to accompany him to the pub as well?

"Our dinner," he reminded her. "You invited me, didn't you?"

"Oh, of course! I'm so sorry, I forgot. This business with Sadie and your lieutenant put it completely out of my mind."