5 Check-Out Time by Kate Kingsbury Read Free Book Online Page B

and Dragon?”
    “Oh, gad, yes. How could I forget that?” The colonel swallowed a large mouthful and smacked his lips. “Now
that’s
what I call gin.”
    “I’m glad you like it. Now, if you’ll excuse me—”
    “Did you warn him about the witch doctor?”
    Behind her, Cecily heard Simani bid farewell to the two men, who had got up to leave. “Yes, I did, Colonel,” she said quickly. “Please don’t worry, he will take care of everything.”
    “Just keep the blighter away from me,” Fortescue mumbled. “You get mixed up with one of those, you might as well be dead.”
    Cecily hurried back to the counter, where Simani stood talking to Michael. She arrived just in time to hear her daughter-in-law say, “Michael, I do not have the time to visit your mother, even if I were to be made welcome.”
    Something in Simani’s tone of voice prompted a stab of guilt. “I should certainly hope you would feel welcome atthe Pennyfoot,” Cecily said warmly. “I would be happy to send the trap for you, should you find an hour or two to spare for a visit.”
    Simani’s smile was distant. “Thank you, Mrs. Sinclair. But there is so much I have to do here. Actually I have things to take care of right now. If you will please excuse me?” She glided away, disappearing through the door that led to the private quarters.
    Cecily met Michael’s disapproving look. “I do hope I haven’t said something to offend her,” she said.
    “I think she has the impression that you are not exactly enamored of our marriage.”
    “Michael, I have no right to make judgments on your decisions. If I am unhappy about anything, it is that I was not invited to the wedding.”
    His short laugh was without mirth. “Take my word for it, Mother, you would not have enjoyed it at all. It was quite primitive by your standards.”
    She couldn’t help the flash of resentment. “I am not unfamiliar with primitive surroundings. I endured extremely uncivilized conditions when I traveled the world with your father. And I had the added responsibility of two small boys, if you remember.”
    His expression suggested that she had no idea what she was talking about. But all he said was, “Quite. So, what brings you down to the George? You must be rushed off your feet at the hotel. And where is your faithful escort? Don’t tell me he had something better to do this evening.”
    Again Cecily had to hide her resentment. Michael had made no effort to conceal his mistrust of her manager. He had actually accused Baxter of having a mercenary interest in her.
    Had Cecily not been so amused at the thought, she would have set Michael straight and sent him off with a flea in his ear.
    As it was, the idea of Baxter having designs on the hotel was ridiculous. He knew full well that the Pennyfoot wasdeeply in debt, thanks to the extensive costs of renovations, and it would be years before the loans could be paid off.
    She saw no reason to concern her son with her problems, however. He had enough of his own. So, as usual, she ignored the barb and said instead, “I wanted to see you, for one thing. Since you won’t come to the hotel, I have to come here.”
    His expression softened. “I’m sorry, Mother. But you know how it is when you have a business …” He waved a hand at the near-empty room.
    “I do, indeed.” Cecily refrained from pointing out that there didn’t seem to be much business at the inn. “I also wanted to tell you, before the rumors got started, that we have had an unfortunate accident at the hotel. One of our guests, Sir Richard Malton, fell from a fourth-floor balcony this afternoon.”
    After a moment of stunned silence, Michael asked in a strained voice, “He’s dead?”
    “Yes, I’m afraid he is. Such a tragedy. He has left a young wife and son. One can only hope that he has provided for them—” She broke off, staring at her son in surprise. Michael actually looked happy at the news.
    He quickly changed his expression to one of