Newport: A Novel by Jill Morrow Read Free Book Online

doors, her eyes straight ahead and her color high.
    “Come along, Mr. Reid,” Adrian finally said, snapping his attention back to Jim. “We’ve work to do.”

CHAPTER
6
    T he séance would be held in the parlor, the Zeus statue presiding. Jim shoved his hands deep into his pockets and longed for the after-dinner brandy he’d just abandoned on Bennett Chapman’s library desk. He’d have preferred to stay in the plush library longer, enjoying both the contraband alcohol and the Gauloise cigarettes his host had provided the men after dinner. It didn’t matter that the air between Adrian and Nicholas Chapman crackled with mutual contempt; Jim had seen worse just strolling around the block in his neighborhood. Besides, the raised hackles in the library were far preferable to the tension they’d all endured at the dining room table earlier that evening, where men and women alike had sat at awkward attention beneath the salty language of Bennett Chapman’s incessant commentary.
    But all leisurely enjoyment of Liriodendron’s luxuries had vanished with Amy Walsh’s knock on the library door.
    “I’m ready,” she’d said, as cheerfully as if announcing a madcap game of charades.
    Bennett Chapman’s face had lit from within like a Chinese lantern. “Gentlemen, you’ve all finished your drinks, haven’t you?”
    And, as he’d watched Adrian drain the last of his brandy and set down the glass, Jim had known that, half-full glass or not, he had no choice but to follow their host out of the library and down the hall.
    Now Amy Walsh led the men from the library to the parlor, Bennett Chapman at her side. He’d eschewed the wheelchair this evening, choosing instead a fine wooden walking stick topped with an intricately carved ivory elephant. His step seemed sure as he crossed the parlor threshold.
    Seven chairs had been arranged in a loose circle about a round table. A candelabra with four lit tapers was set in the middle, placed atop a maroon cloth that covered the table from top to floor on all sides. Nicholas lifted the edge of the cloth and examined the space beneath the table before retreating to stand like a sullen sentinel beside the parlor door.
    Amy seated herself in the chair directly opposite the doorway, with Bennett on her right. Cool and composed, Catharine sank gracefully into the chair beside him.
    “Are we to sit in any special order?” Chloe’s brittle voice floated from her spot by the fireplace.
    “It doesn’t matter,” Amy started to say, then caught herself. “No, wait.” She closed her eyes and tilted her head. Jim exchanged a questioning glance with Adrian, who gave a slight shrug.
    “I guess it does matter tonight,” Amy said, eyes still closed. “Mr. Reid is to sit at my left. The younger Mr. Chapman is beside him,then Lady Dinwoodie and Mr. de la Noye. Aunt Catharine, you and Bennett may stay where you are.”
    Bennett leaned forward. “Is that Elizabeth who says so? Oh, she always did love arranging a good dinner party!”
    “I suspect it’s Mrs. Chapman.” Amy opened her eyes. “But it’s mostly just a feeling for now. No words.”
    “Perhaps the message is from your spirit guide.” Chloe drifted toward her assigned seat. She seemed particularly tired this evening, as if even lifting her fork at dinner had required too much effort. She hadn’t touched a drop of wine during the meal and had refused even the offer of an after-dinner cordial.
    “Spirit guide.” Nicholas almost spat the words.
    “I’m unfamiliar with that term.” Adrian slid Lady Dinwoodie’s chair out from beneath the table.
    She dropped into the offered seat. “To contact loved ones on the other side, most mediums rely on the aid of one who has already crossed over. Have you never heard of Florence Cook and her Katie King? Of Mrs. Piper and the Imperator?”
    “When did you become an expert on otherworldly communication?” Nicholas’s words frosted the air.
    Chloe’s chin quivered. “I’ve . .