faint laugh lines intertwined around his blue eyes.
I knew I was blushing, but I refused to let him turn me into a blithering idiot. “Daniel,” I said, “it’s been a long couple of days. I’m really tired and I’m not up for innuendos right now.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “I’ve wanted to do this from the first moment I saw you. New Year’s resolutions and all that.” He bent down and kissed me.
He had just stepped back when Mrs. Jenkins appeared with our coats. Or maybe she appeared once he stepped back. I didn’t know and I didn’t care. I took my coat without interest. I was already quite warm.
Lauren, Polly, Jackie, and Aunt Winnie joined us in the foyer. We all said goodbye and walked outside. Jackie was still very quiet.
“Are you all right, Jackie?” asked Aunt Winnie, pulling her coat tightly around her.
“What?” Jackie answered distractedly. “Oh, yes. Yes, I’m fine. I just have a sudden headache, that’s all. Something doesn’t make sense. I need to sort it all out. I know the answer is there, I just can’t puzzle it out.”
Aunt Winnie and I waited politely for an explanation, but none was forthcoming. Instead, Jackie smiled at us and merely said, “Good afternoon, ladies. I will see you soon.”
Jackie’s car was a burgundy ’93 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Slapped over a dent on the back fender was a bumper sticker that read I BRAKE FOR PEOPLE. Once inside, Jackie gave us a little wave and slammed the door shut.
And with that, she left.
CHAPTER 11
—LADY MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU
WELL, THAT WAS … interesting,” I said to Aunt Winnie once we were inside her car.
“Which part?” she replied as she gunned the engine and sped down the driveway. I gripped the door handle. Aunt Winnie likes to drive fast. She says it makes her feel young again. Unfortunately, it has the opposite effect on me. Death never feels so close.
“All of it,” I said. “Remind me not to pay house calls with you anymore.”
“Oh, come on! I thought you and Denny made a charming couple.”
“You’re not nearly as funny as you think you are,” I said. The car careened out onto the main road. “Did I miss something?” I asked, craning my neck over my shoulder to peer behind us. “Is someone chasing us?”
Aunt Winnie laughed. “Don’t be such a worrywart! You need to live a little.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do,” I muttered, closing my eyes tightly as she sped up for the yellow light.
Health experts recommend elevating your pulse rate to achieve cardio fitness. By the time we skidded to a stop in the inn’s driveway, mine was so elevated I was sure I didn’t have to bother with any additional exercise for the day. Maybe even for the entire week.
My legs were shaky from continually slamming on an imaginary brake and I walked unsteadily to the front door. Stumbling into the foyer, I met Peter emerging from the back office.
“Hello,” he said. “How was your visit?”
“Elizabeth made a new friend,” said Aunt Winnie. “His name is Denny.”
“You know,” I said pleasantly, “I’m not above striking defenseless old women.”
“Really?” Aunt Winnie countered with a wink. “Let me know if you find one.”
Peter, who had been listening to us with an increasingly puzzled expression, now interrupted. “Right,” he said. “Can I interest either of you in a cocktail? The Andersons have gone into town for dinner and Daniel is dining with Mrs. Ramsey. We are, for the first time this weekend, alone. I vote we put our heads together and see what we can come up with about Gerald’s murder. The sooner the murderer is found, the better for all of us.”
“Agreed,” said Aunt Winnie. “Would you mind, though, if I invite Randy? I haven’t had much chance to see him lately, and I trust him.”
“Not at all,” said Peter. “I’ll get started on the drinks.”
“Thanks. I’ll just be a moment,” said Aunt Winnie, as she went into the office. “Oh, Peter, make mine a gin and tonic. Strong.”
“And for you?” Peter said to me.
“The same, please. I’ll go see if I can rummage up some cheese and crackers.”
In the kitchen I cut up cheese and salami. Placing them on a tray, I added some crackers and a small bowl of olives. I was returning with the tray when Aunt Winnie came out of the office. “Randy is on his way,” she said. “I invited him to stay for dinner, too.”
“You really like him, don’t you?” I said.
“I think that I do. He’s a very nice man.” With a smile, she quoted, “ ‘He is also handsome, which a man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can.’ ”
I laughed and quoted back, “ ‘Well, I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.’ ”
In the reading room, I settled into my chair, taking in the calming atmosphere of the room. For the first time today, I felt relaxed—almost at home. I smiled, thinking how my attachment to Longbourn seemed to increase daily. I thought about my apartment back in Virginia with its temperamental heating/cooling system and utter absence of architectural style. Now that Bridget was engaged, I would have to start thinking about getting a new roommate next year. Idly, I wondered about moving to the Cape instead. Maybe I could find a job here and help Aunt Winnie with the inn.
Peter entered with the drinks and I took mine gratefully. After everyone had settled into their chairs, Peter asked, “So, did you learn anything interesting at the Ramseys’? I’m assuming that’s why the two of you went there. Although I admit that showing up laden with baskets of homemade food was a nice touch.”
“Don’t look at me,” I said, raising my hands. “I was just following orders.”
Aunt Winnie gave Peter a level look over the rim of her crystal glass. “Aren’t you a little young to be so cynical?”
“I’m not cynical. I just know you. You’re not going to deny it, are you?”
“Of course not. But I’m still reserving the right to call you cynical.”
“Duly noted,” Peter said with a wave of his hand. “Did you learn anything?”
“Well, no one was suddenly overcome with remorse and confessed, if that’s what you mean,” I said. Outside the sun had long ago set and long shadows now spread into the room. I got up and started a fire in the fireplace.
“Don’t be such a smart-ass,” said Aunt Winnie. “We learned about Jamie.”
“Who’s Jamie?” Peter asked, as he helped himself to a cracker and a piece of cheese from the tray.
“He’s Lauren’s son from a previous marriage,” said Aunt Winnie. “Apparently, he has special needs and lives in some sort of home in South Carolina.”
“What does that prove?” asked Peter.
“It doesn’t necessarily prove anything,” she said. “I just think it’s interesting, that’s all. Don’t you think it’s strange that the boy isn’t living with his mother? Even if he needs to be in some sort of supervised community, you’d think she’d live closer.”
“You think that Gerald didn’t want anything to do with Jamie and had him shipped away?” I gave the burning logs a thoughtful shove with the poker.
“Would you really be surprised if that were the case?”
“Oh, I’m not arguing with you,” I said. “It sounds exactly like something Gerald would do. But then again, Lauren doesn’t strike me as the most maternal of women. She may have preferred having her son live far away.”
Aunt Winnie nodded.
“Oh! I almost forgot. Polly got a passport!” I said, quickly explaining my find.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” asked Aunt Winnie.
“Your driving must have scared the memory out of me,” I replied, although I knew that wasn’t the reason. Daniel’s kiss was the reason. I hoped I wasn’t blushing.
