The Sans Pareil Mystery (The Detective Lavender Mysteries Book 2) by Karen Charlton Read Free Book Online

‘It appears to be a regular hazard for theatre proprietors in London at the moment.’
    ‘Not arson, I trust?’
    He shook his head. ‘There’s been nothing to indicate that an arsonist with a vendetta against theatres is roaming the streets of the capital.’
    ‘And if there was, then Mr John Scott would have probably been at the top of your list of suspects,’ Magdalena said. ‘He seems to have been the main beneficiary of the misfortune of others.’
    Lavender smiled. ‘Meanwhile, Miss Scott has been described as “great artiste” by the theatre critics. Her plays have a tendency towards the melodramatic and the Gothic but there are several excellent singers in her cast so we shall not want for entertainment. If we’re lucky we may see her perform tonight.’
    ‘Is she beautiful?’ Magdalena demanded.
    ‘Er, no.’
    The audience had now begun to arrive, so Lavender, Magdalena and Teresa were forced back against the wall. The foyer became a noisy gathering of men in smart topcoats and hats. Women in brightly coloured muslin dresses and bonnets hung on to their arms. Occasionally, there was a flash of scarlet as officers arrived and swept their regimental hats beneath their arms. Many people paused in the foyer to greet friends or, like Magdalena, to see the arrival of the prince. The air buzzed with excitement, hailed greetings and gossip; candlelight reflected from the brass buttons and glistening jewellery of the clientele.
    As the temperature rose, Magdalena unbuttoned her cloak. Lavender was distracted from his admiration of the creamy skin of her throat and bosom by a crowd of drunken ruffians who pushed their way through the crowd towards the auditorium. They swung glass bottles by their side. ‘Keep a firm grasp on your purse,’ he advised. ‘The theatre attracts every kind of person and pickpockets and opportunist thieves often circulate amongst the crowds.’
    But the leader of the gang was interested in something else Magdalena possessed. He whistled when he laid eyes on her and bowed low in an elaborate gesture. His companions followed his courtly example.
    ‘You’re a beautiful gal,’ the man said, before moving on.
    Pink spots appeared on Magdalena’s cheeks and she bowed her head regally to her new admirers.
    Lavender scowled.
    Suddenly, a fan rapped smartly on his arm. ‘Good evening, Detective. I sincerely hope that you’re here tonight for pleasure rather than business.’
    He turned and found the sharp, grey eyes of the tall and willowy Lady Caroline Clare scrutinising him. A strikingly attractive redhead in her early forties, she had been injured in an accident in her youth and relied on a silver-topped walking cane for support. ‘Good evening, your ladyship.’ He bowed. ‘I’m here to see the play.’
    ‘Thank goodness for that!’ Her pearl-studded turban topped with yellow ostrich feathers bobbed up and down as she nodded her head in satisfaction. ‘We don’t want the taint of criminal activity to spoil tonight’s performance. You’d better introduce to me to that pretty girl, Lavender.’
    ‘Lady Caroline, may I present Doña Magdalena Morales, widow of Don Antonio Garcia de Aviles, who fell at the Battle of Talavera. Magdalena, this is Lady Caroline Clare.’
    Magdalena dropped a deep and regal curtsey, the grace of which momentarily caught him off guard. The candlelight caught the sheen of the glossy black curls on the top of her bowed head.
    ‘It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Caroline,’ Magdalena said as she rose back to her full height.
    ‘My condolences, my dear.’ Lady Caroline’s eyes were firmly fixed on Magdalena’s face. ‘I have buried two husbands and I know that your loss is recent. The Battle of Talavera was last summer, wasn’t it?’
    ‘Yes. Thank you for your kindness, your ladyship.’
    ‘Oh, this damned, interminable war.’ Her ladyship shook her head sadly. ‘You’re not the first woman to be widowed by it – and unfortunately you