Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen Read Free Book Online

us.”
    â€œBloody ’ell,” she said. “We’re moving in with your toffee-nosed sister-in-law?”
    Whatever I thought of my sister-in-law it was not up to servants to criticize her. I had tried to impress this fact upon Queenie before, but like most things it went right over her head. “Queenie, remember I told you it wasn’t your place to criticize your betters. I agree my sister-in-law is not the easiest person but if you did your job perfectly, she’d have nothing to criticize, would she?”
    â€œShe don’t like me because I’m dead common,” Queenie said.
    â€œIf you’d rather stay on here and keep looking after your mother, I’m sure I could do without a maid a little longer,” I said.
    â€œOh no, your ladyship,” Mrs. Huggins said before Queenie could reply. And she shoved Queenie in my direction. “She has to do her duty. Her place is looking after you. Ain’t it, Queenie.”
    Queenie nodded. “That’s right. So why are we kipping over at your brother’s house, then? What was wrong with the mews place? I quite liked that. Cozy, it was.”
    â€œWe’re moving because Miss Belinda has returned unexpectedly.”
    â€œThat’s bloody annoying of ’er, ain’t it? I thought for sure she’d like it in America. Find herself a rich American bloke.”
    â€œI thought so too, but she’s home now and I have to move out. So go and get your things and meet me back at Miss Belinda’s ready to pack up my trunk.”
    â€œBob’s yer uncle, miss,” she said.

Chapter 5
    OCTOBER 29
    RANNOCH HOUSE
    Golly, I was right! Fig’s face was positively puce when she saw Queenie. Loved it!
    As I had predicted, Fig was frightfully put out when she saw Queenie struggling with the footman to carry my trunk up the stairs, especially as she was dressed in her ancient and moth-eaten fur coat and red felt hat that made her look like an oversized hedgehog with a flowerpot on its head.
    â€œDon’t tell me you still have that awful creature as your maid, Georgiana,” Fig exclaimed in ringing tones, loudly enough for Queenie to hear. “Surely you could have found someone more suitable by now.”
    â€œI can’t afford anyone more suitable, Fig,” I said as the trunk disappeared onto the first-floor landing. “I am as completely penniless as you claim to be.”
    â€œIf only you would do the right thing and marry well, Georgiana.” She turned away from the stairs and headed for the drawing room. “Heaven knows the queen has tried to put suitable young men into your path, but you have seen fit to turn them down for some reason.”
    â€œIf you’re talking about Prince Siegfried . . .” I began.
    She spun back to me. “I can’t believe you turned down Prince Siegfried. He’s an oldest son, Georgiana. He’ll be a king someday.”
    â€œIf the family isn’t assassinated first,” I said with a grin.
    â€œIt is hardly a laughing matter.” Fig sank onto a sofa by the window, picking up a copy of
Horse and Hound
as if she already found me too boring to bother with. “You could have been a queen—far above the expectations of your lowly rank in royal circles.”
    â€œSiegfried was awful, Fig.”
    â€œI agree he was a little supercilious and arrogant,” she said. “Not the sort of person one warms to instantly. But don’t forget he has been raised and educated to rule. One expects that kind of behavior from European royals. After all, they still have peasants to rule over, don’t they?”
    â€œHe prefers other men, Fig,” I said.
    â€œLots of men prefer male company. They find women’s conversation to be tedious.”
    â€œI’m not talking about conversation. I’m talking about the bedroom.”
    She looked up, frowning. “I beg your pardon?”
    â€œHe’s