03 - Murder in Mink by Evelyn James Read Free Book Online Page B

tight to his hand.
    The reverend was working his way slowly through the marriage
service. Andrew stood bolt upright, wearing his military officer’s uniform, his
medals proudly displayed on his chest. He did not reveal a flicker of emotion,
but surely deep down he was moved by the momentous occasion? Laura was
breathless and giddy, she was trying to grasp the words being spoken but was
too excited and elated to really catch them. It was all like a strange dream
come true and her mind was on the moment they could leave the church man and
wife.
    Reverend Draper was just getting into his stride as he
reached the part where he turned to the congregation and asked, in his most
dramatic manner for he had once performed in youth theatre, if anyone among the
audience knew of any reason the couple should not be wed?
    There was a steady silence, a moment when everyone
glanced at everyone else. A silly anxiety infiltrated Clara and made her wish
that the long pause could be over. She tensed, but no one spoke. Reverend
Draper moved back into action.
    “That being the case…”
    “Oi! I have a bloody good reason!”
    As one the congregation turned to the open church doors.
They looked at the women in red in the doorway as though she were a stray dog
who had accidentally wandered in. But she was no stray and she knew exactly
where she was. She walked forward on black heels, pulling at a mink fur stole
over her shoulders.
    “Fine turn out, old Andrew, my boy. Did you miss my
invite?”
    Clara was almost alone in taking her eyes off the woman
and looking for Andrew’s reaction. He was stony silent. Impassive. Nothing seemed
to break his façade of calm.
    “Excuse me, who are you?” Glorianna, the avenging
Valkyrie, was astride her horse again and galloping into the fray.
    Clara had a nasty feeling she wasn’t going to succeed
this time.
    “I’m his wife! That’s who I am!” The woman snarled at
her.
    “Whose wife?” Glorianna demanded.
    “Andrew Campbell’s! That’s why he can’t get married to
this peewit of a thing. He’s already married to me!”
     

Chapter Seven
    Clara suspected there had been very little in Glorianna’s
life that had ever defeated her, but the presence of the strange woman in red
changed that happy circumstance sharply. Glorianna’s mouth worked, but no words
came out. What was there to say?
    “In case you doubt me,” The woman continued, snapping
open a purse, “Here is the marriage certificate.”
    She handed it to Glorianna who studied it in a daze.
    “No funny business now, they keep copies of those.” The
woman looked delighted with herself.
    Laura was half collapsed in her father’s arms, her face
as white as her dress. Hogarth emerged from his pew and carefully took the
certificate from his wife. He studied it for several moments before turning to
his son agog.
    “Andrew?”
    Andrew was implacable. He moved toward the woman without
a hint of anger, remorse, or grief even. He just took her by the arm and
muttered in her ear.
    “All right, I’ll go.” The woman said, snatching back the
marriage certificate, “But I had to show myself, didn’t I? Wouldn’t be right
letting this carry on.”
    She stuffed the certificate in her purse as Andrew, still
holding her arm escorted her to the church door.
    “Will you come and see me?” Clara heard her say as she
left, what Andrew replied she never heard.
    “Ahem, perhaps the bride and groom and the, erm, parents
should come with me into the vestry for a moment and discuss this matter.”
Reverend Draper looked terribly shaken, his face had lost all its colour and
his voice trembled.
    “Poor sod’s never had this happen before.” Tommy
whispered to his sister.
    “Who has?” Clara returned, shocked herself at the turn
around.
    Laura, Andrew and their respective parents retired with
the vicar while everyone else looked around and wondered what had just
occurred.
    “Is it true?” Tommy found himself saying.
    “She had the