Manor House 04 - Dig Deep for Murder by Kate Kingsbury Read Free Book Online Page B

couldn't swear to it, of course," she said, when she was finished. "It was awfully late and quite dark in here."
    Violet shook her head. "I'd know if a stranger had broken into my kitchen."
    "Not necessarily. It could have been one of the American officers looking for a late supper. Except. . . ." her voice trailed off as she concentrated on the fleeting memory.
    "Except what?" Violet demanded sharply.
    "Except I thought whoever it was wore a skirt."
    "Blimey," Violet said, "you're getting as barmy as the old codger. Seeing things, you are."
    "Thank you, Violet. That makes me feel considerably better."
    "Sorry, Lizzie, but all this talk of dead bodies in the gardens and ghosts in the kitchen. . . . Seems to me you're letting things get you down. You have to keep a stiff upper lip and all that. Can't let the war get us down. Like Churchill says, blood, sweat, and tears, but we'll never surrender. Or something like that."
    Elizabeth smiled. "You're right, Violet. I probably imagined it. It was, after all, a very long evening." She got up from the table. "Where are the dogs? I haven't seen them this morning."
    "I shut them up in the stables. You told me not to let them out until you got back. You never got back, and Icouldn't have them piddling all over the kitchen floor, so I put them out back."
    "I'm sorry, Violet." Elizabeth hurried to the door. "I just didn't want them digging up the body and making things difficult for the constables. I'd have let them out when I came home last night if I'd known, but I didn't put my motorcycle away last night. I left it outside."
    "I know," Violet said, tilting her head to one side. "I saw it. I thought you might have gone out with your major, seeing as how excited you were and all."
    "He's not my major." Elizabeth turned away so that Violet couldn't see her expression. "Major Monroe was kind enough to give me a ride into the village, that's all."
    "Uh-huh. There's more hanky-panky goes on in them jeeps than in all the bedrooms of Sitting Marsh put together."
    Outraged, Elizabeth spun around. "Are you suggesting—"
    "I'm not suggesting anything," Violet said calmly. "All I'm saying is that people gossip. Especially in a village the size of this one. I just think you should bear that in mind, that's all."
    She should be angry, Elizabeth thought wryly. Except that Violet was right. She had an image to uphold, and there were certain people just waiting for her to compromise herself. "I'll keep it in mind," she promised. "I'm going down to the village this morning, after I've talked to Polly. I'd like to talk to Betty Stewart again, without the constables hovering over us."
    Violet narrowed her eyes. "Since her husband was found buried on the manor grounds, I imagine he didn't get there by himself. Which means someone killed him."
    "It rather looks that way," Elizabeth admitted.
    "Be careful, Lizzie. I wouldn't want to see you mixed up in murder again. You almost got killed the last time."
    "I'll be careful." Touched by her housekeeper's concern, she smiled at her. "I promise I'll be back in time for lunch."
    "Good. I've got a nice stew and rhubarb pie."
    Hungry already, Elizabeth left the kitchen and headed for the office.
    She found Polly already there, looking a trifle pale but otherwise her usual exuberant self. "Can I have some time off this afternoon, your ladyship?" she asked, as soon as Elizabeth walked in the room. "Sam's on leave, and he wants to take me to Yarmouth."
    Elizabeth glanced at the clock. "Did you call the Labour Exchange in London yesterday?"
    "Yes, I did, m'm. They're sending three girls down this afternoon. I made a list of their names and everything." She waved a slip of paper in the air. "They'll be coming down on the bus, so they can walk up from Muggins Corner. I rang the Tudor Arms so they'll have a place to stay tonight. They can catch the bus back in the morning."
    "I suppose we should find room for them here," Elizabeth said, half to herself. "That will