British Manor Murder by Leslie Meier Read Free Book Online Page B

to see the new chicks before coming in.”
    â€œHaving a smoke, you mean,” said Poppy.
    â€œI hope she’s not smoking in the chicken house,” said Gerald.
    â€œShe wouldn’t do that,” said Desi. “She knows better.”
    â€œWho knows what she knows these days,” grumbled Gerald. “I don’t understand what’s going on with that girl.”
    â€œThat means we’re seven for lunch,” said Perry, counting out a stack of plates and handing them to Sue. “Would you mind setting the table?”
    â€œNot at all,” replied Sue.
    â€œNo sense setting a place for Flora. She won’t eat anything,” said Gerald.
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous,” snapped Poppy, who had opened a drawer and was counting out cutlery.
    â€œYou know I’m right,” insisted Gerald, refilling his glass. “Fine family we’ve got. Desi prancing about like Tinker Bell and Flora looking like she’s come straight out of a concentration camp.”
    â€œShhh! She’s coming,” cautioned Poppy as a faint shadow appeared at the French door.
    Desi hurried to open the door, admitting the thinnest woman Lucy had ever seen. With enormous eyes and cheekbones that matched her brother’s, Flora would have been pretty, but her dark hair was limp and lifeless, her skin dull and ashy.
    She entered the room tentatively, as if entering a cage of wild animals. “I see you have company,” she said, turning to go.
    â€œJust some friends of Perry’s,” said Poppy, hurrying across the room to greet her daughter and giving her a big hug. “Come and meet Lucy and Sue.”
    Flora seemed to shrink, becoming even smaller under her mother’s embrace.
    Her mother quickly released her. “Give me your coat, dear,” she said in a coaxing tone.
    For a moment it seemed as if Flora would bolt and run out the door, then she seemed to settle and began unzipping her puffy black jacket. After the zipper was undone, she let her arms fall to her side and Poppy slipped off the jacket and hung it up.
    â€œWe’re ready,” said Perry, removing a fragrant loaf of bread from an oven and setting it on a round bread board he carried to the table.
    Lucy brought the bowl of salad, Desi donned oven mitts to convey the heavy casserole from the Aga, and they all seated themselves at the large scrubbed pine table.
    â€œI didn’t know you were interested in cooking,” said Sue as Perry began dishing up the stew.
    â€œNecessity is the mother of invention,” he replied. “Poppy runs the show, y’see. I do my best to earn my keep so she doesn’t chuck me out.”
    â€œNonsense,” said Poppy, passing the salad bowl. “I’d never do that.”
    â€œYou couldn’t, even if you wanted to,” said Gerald, busying himself opening the second bottle of wine. “He’s the earl. The place belongs to him.”
    â€œNot exactly,” said Perry, arranging the merest dab of stew on the last plate and passing it to Flora. “The corporation actually owns the trust. Poppy and I are officers, as are your children, Gerald.”
    â€œFat lot of good it’s ever going to do them,” muttered Gerald, topping off his glass before sending the bottle around the table for everyone to serve themselves. Only Sue and Desi added more wine to their glasses.
    â€œIt’s the family birthright,” said Poppy. “It’s a privilege and a responsibility. Lord knows, I’ve done my best to make them aware of their heritage.” She paused. “Has everyone got salad?”
    â€œI for one am very glad to be such a lucky boy,” said Desi, accepting the bowl that his mother passed to him. “It’s good to know I’ve got a job waiting for me when my legs give out.”
    â€œCan’t be soon enough for me,” grumbled Gerald.
    â€œOh, Dad,” moaned Flora, “you’re