Death Comes to Kurland Hall by Catherine Lloyd Read Free Book Online Page A

of good-byes and flower petals, leaving the wedding party to partake of the supper Foley and his staff were laying out in the dining room. There was musical entertainment, and some thoughts that the younger members of the wedding party might want to dance had dictated the removal of the carpet in the long gallery.
    As she came down the stairs, Lucy mentally checked off exactly what still needed to be done and realized there was nothing. If he thought to turn his hand to it, Mr. Fairfax would make the major an excellent secretary, as well as a land agent. She wasn’t really needed here at the manor anymore, what with Major Kurland’s resurgence and Mr. Fairfax’s efficiency.
    It would have to be London, then. If her father did marry Mrs. Chingford, she would have to move out of the rectory. Her hand lingered on the smoothness of the wooden stair rail. If she’d ignored her feelings and accepted Major Kurland’s marriage proposal for what it was, she would now be mistress of Kurland Hall.... She almost regretted her decision at this moment, when all around her seemed to be heading for matrimony without having to think about it at all.
    Mayhap she was too fussy, just as Mrs. Chingford had suggested.
    The sound of instruments tuning up in the gallery caught her attention, and she turned toward the throng of wedding guests making their way through the hall. A flash of yellow in the gallery above her made her look up to see Dorothea Chingford peering down at the assembled guests. As if she realized Lucy had seen her, she ran off again toward the bedchambers.
    Lucy cast one more glance down at the dancing and then went after Dorothea. Even though the bride and groom had departed, she didn’t want any more scenes to disrupt the celebration. Following the sound of footsteps and banging doors, Lucy found herself in the oldest part of the house, which was a warren of smaller rooms, too many staircases, and ancient oak beams reportedly reused from the demolition of King Henry VIII’s navy, which would certainly account for their bowed shapes. It was hard to see in the narrow passageways, and Lucy almost lost her way and banged her head on a low beam at least twice.
    Suddenly there was a screech and a series of loud thumps. Lucy picked up her skirts and ran toward the sound. By the time she arrived, there was no sign of anyone. She hesitated by the servants’ staircase and then looked down to see a crumpled heap of . . . something at the bottom. Had Dorothea fallen in her haste to get away from Lucy? Holding her breath, Lucy crept down the stairs and knelt beside the recumbent form.
    Halting footsteps sounded behind her, and she went still.
    â€œMiss Harrington? Whatever are you doing?”
    She lifted her head to see Major Kurland coming toward her.
    â€œThank goodness it’s you, Major. There’s been a terrible accident. I think Mrs. Chingford is dead!”

Chapter 4
    R obert took his time kneeling beside Miss Harrington and attempted a nonjudgmental tone.
    â€œDid you mean to kill her?”
    â€œGood Lord, Major Kurland, I didn’t kill her. I just found her like this. I think she fell down the stairs,” Miss Harrington said impatiently as she touched Mrs. Chingford’s throat. “She doesn’t appear to be breathing.”
    â€œI just wondered if perhaps you had been in an argument and had accidentally pushed her. You know how these things happen in moments of passion.”
    She fixed him with her hardest stare. “Major Kurland, I did not kill her. Why on earth would I do that?”
    â€œBecause she was about to become your stepmother?”
    â€œI would hardly resort to murder.” She snorted. “And there are plenty of other people at this wedding who would be delighted to see the end of this woman. In fact, I—” She paused. “I was attempting to catch up with Dorothea Chingford. That’s why I ended up at the top of this