Murder at Renard's (Rose Simpson Mysteries Book 4) by Margaret Addison Read Free Book Online Page B

where I’m to be the mannequin. Now don’t laugh,’ Celia tapped Bertram’s arm playfully. ‘I daresay it sounds jolly funny and all that but really, I’m only helping Lavinia out.’
    ‘Lavinia?’
    ‘Lady Lavinia Sedgwick, sister of the Earl of Belvedere. I don’t think you’ve met her. She’s not a particular friend of mine.’ Celia made a face. ‘But I’m sure that I must have told you about that bet she had with her brother? Working in a dress shop for six months?’
    ‘Now you come to mention it, I think I do remember you saying something of the sort. Did she stick it out? Good for her!’
    ‘Yes. Well, as I was saying, she’d agreed to model some gowns for them this evening. There’s to be a fashion show of sorts in the shop complete with French designer, would you believe? The shopkeeper has ideas of grandeur.’ Celia laughed. ‘But poor Lavinia’s feeling rather poorly. She’s had to cry off and doesn’t want to leave the shop in the lurch.’
    ‘I still don’t understand how you came to volunteer your services, darling,’ said Bertram, looking at her with interest. ‘As I said before, it’s not your sort of thing, is it? I never thought you were that interested in clothes. You always say that women spend far too much time preening themselves in front of a mirror for your liking.’
    ‘Yes. Well, she telephoned Judith to tell her all about it. You know, Judith Musgrove? I happened to be having tea with the girl at the time. From what I could gather, Lavinia was in a dreadful state. She was hoping that Judith might be able to help her out, what with Judith being tall and slender and having a thing for dresses.’
    ‘But she couldn’t?’
    ‘Couldn’t or didn’t want to. She said she had another engagement which she couldn’t possibly put off. Judith’s a dreadful snob, you know. She probably thought it was beneath her.’ Celia laughed. ‘So, much to everyone’s surprise, I volunteered my services. You should have been there. Judith almost spilt her tea with the shock. I thought it would be a bit of a hoot.’
    ‘Did you indeed?’ Bertram raised an eyebrow and looked at her somewhat sceptically.
    ‘Naturally Lavinia was rather disappointed. She tried to hide the fact, of course. She didn’t think I was at all suitable, but she was desperate and I offered, so that was that.’
    There was a moment or two of silence as Bertram tried to conjure up the image in his mind of Celia modelling a beautiful and elaborate gown made of some fine stuff, swishing gracefully this way and that. He laughed heartily.
    ‘You are a good sport, darling. I suppose that’s why I love you so.’
    Celia beamed at him adoringly.
    ‘So I’m to model a gown at Renard’s tonight and have some frightful customers stare at me. Well, that’s not quite true. I’m really only introducing the gowns, another –’
    ‘Renard’s?’ enquired Bertram sharply.
    ‘Yes, that’s the name of the boutique. Didn’t I tell you?’
    ‘No, you mentioned that the proprietor was a Madame Renard. I suppose I should have put two and two together.’
    ‘Why ... what do you mean?’
    Celia, Bertram noticed, was watching him carefully. Was it his imagination, or was she holding her breath? He averted his gaze and fiddled with the cutlery on the table.
    ‘No, of course … I … I mean to say that there was no reason why –’
    ‘Have you heard of Renard’s? Do you know of it?’
    ‘No. Really, Celia, you do ask the strangest things. Why would I be familiar with a women’s dress shop? Do you think I get my shirts there?’
    ‘Of course not. It’s just that you sounded surprised, that’s all, when I said the name of the shop, as if you knew of it.’
    ‘Well, I don’t. And really, Celia, must you go on and on about it? I can’t imagine why you are. Ah … good, here’s the consommé. Let’s eat, shall we? I’m absolutely starving and I haven’t much time.’
    ‘Will you come tonight and see it?’ asked