6 Grounds for Murder by Kate Kingsbury Read Free Book Online

nowadays.”
    Madeline leaned across the table, her fingers curled, her eyes flashing fire. “Well, Phoebe dear, let me warn you. There is much more to fear from the unearthly beings than the human ones. May I remind you it is almost All Hallows’ Eve, when the witches are free to roam the earth and wreak their havoc on those who dare to confront them. Be careful of the words you speak, or you might well regret opening your mouth so wide.”
    Phoebe’s face turned white beneath the wide brim of her hat. Her mouth opened, then shut again, and she began rapidly fanning her face with her lace-edged handkerchief, while the other hand patted her heaving bosom.
    Apparently satisfied, Madeline rose gracefully to her feet.“If there is no more to discuss on the flower arrangements, Cecily, I shall leave. Unlike some people, I have important things to see to this afternoon.”
    Cecily nodded her head. Her attention was on Phoebe, who appeared to be struggling for breath. “Please let me know the estimated cost of the flowers,” she said, “and we will discuss how many we can afford.”
    “I’ll inform you just as soon as I get a firm price.” Madeline floated to the door, paused long enough to give a casual flip of her hand, then disappeared, closing the door with a heavy thud behind her.
    “Are you not feeling well?” Cecily asked, leaning forward to pat her friend’s arm.
    Phoebe made a gasping noise in her throat, but her color seemed to be returning, bringing a spot of bright red to her cheeks. “That … woman is insufferable,” she spluttered. “And quite demented, if you want my opinion. All that drivel about spirits and witches—really! I do believe the ridiculous woman actually believes all that nonsense.” Having recovered her senses, Phoebe sat up straighter in her chair and settled her hat more firmly on her head. “Of course, what can one expect from someone who is thought to be descended from the gypsies?”
    “That is merely rumor, as you well know,” Cecily said, feeling compelled to come to the defense of her friend.
    “Rumors often have some truth in them. The woman doesn’t even wear a corset in public, for heaven’s sake. Utterly scandalous, if you want my opinion. Of course people are going to think the worst.”
    Phoebe rose from her chair and gathered up her black satin purse. Slipping the silk cord over the long sleeve of her glove she added a trifle pompously, “In any case, rumor or not, if I were Madeline, I would take great care to whom I spoke in that heathen manner. She might well be mistakenfor a gypsy, and considering what happened to that poor thing up there on Putney Downs, it could prove hazardous to be regarded as one of their tribe.”
    “I’m sure Madeline knows how to take care of herself,” Cecily said, beginning to lose her hold on her patience.
    Grasping her parasol, Phoebe marched to the door. “I certainly hope so. Much as Madeline enjoys taunting me, I would not want anything that dreadful to happen to her.” She looked back at Cecily over her shoulder. “Have you given any more thought to the prospect of inviting Ellsworth Galloway to participate in the evening’s entertainment?”
    Cecily suppressed a shudder. “I do think perhaps that Miss Freidrich might be put out by the competition. Mr. Galloway has a habit of taking over the proceedings, and might well upstage her.”
    “Oh, goodness. We can’t have that.” Phoebe opened the door and swept out into the corridor. “In that case, perhaps I shall find someone else to open the evening. I did hear of a very fine juggler. Perhaps I shall look into it.”
    “Not the one with the chamber pots, I trust,” Cecily said, trying not to visualize an outraged opera singer faced with the prospect of following such a tawdry act.
    “Oh, heavens no.” Phoebe pulled the sleeve of her glove higher up her elbow. “Actually I do believe he juggles food. You know, oranges and eggs, that sort of thing.”
    Cecily