by Sonia Parin
Admittedly, her granny had a bigger than life personality and did not believe in demure conversations or… Well, she didn’t really care for subtlety. If something was on her mind, she normally cut straight to the chase.
Evie swung toward Tom and managed to startle him. “Did she give you a date of arrival?”
“Three weeks’ time.”
“Is that three full weeks or a ballpark figure?”
“Evangeline, do we need to call for a doctor?” Henrietta asked. “You’re huffing.”
Evie poured herself another cup of tea. “I have other guests arriving tomorrow and staying for a couple of weeks, but what if they decide to extend their stay?”
“How many people are you expecting?” Henrietta asked.
“Phillipa invited three writer friends.”
Henrietta clucked her tongue. “Let’s see, three guests and Halton House can accommodate over fifty guests. I daresay, an extra guest will not prove to be problematic.”
Tom laughed. “I’m sorry to have been the bearer of such ill tidings.”
“Oh, don’t be. I’ll be happy to see my grandmother and you provided us with a distraction. We’d been talking about Mrs. Sheffield and her intention to offer her guiding hand because apparently she found me lacking.”
Henrietta gasped. “I’ve just realized I haven’t actually met the woman. Evangeline, please do me the favor of not introducing us.”
Evie couldn’t hide her surprise. “Pardon? Surely you have met her.”
Henrietta gave a casual wave of her hand. “I might have crossed paths with her but we have never been formally introduced. That gives me enough leeway to pretend I do not recognize her.”
Tom nearly choked on his tea. “Someone will have to explain.”
Henrietta did the honors. “My dear, I am an Edwardian through and through. We know what we are about. There are some customs that must simply remain unchanged. If someone you don’t know happens to walk in right now and Evangeline does not introduce you, then you simply behave as if they are not here and if you were to meet them again, well… You just ignore them.”
Evie shrugged. “It’s one of those silly rules, which makes everything rather awkward for me because everyone seems intent on introducing their friends and acquaintances to me. To quote from a ladies’ magazine, there is certainly much to be said against promiscuous introductions.”
Henrietta agreed with a nod. “People are generally very loose with their desire to make introductions. How do they even know their friends desire to become acquainted with you or vice versa?”
Before Evie took a bite of her cupcake, she said, “Did you know that no gentleman should be introduced to a lady until she has granted her permission?”
Tom sat back and crossed his arms. “So, I’m to avoid her.” He looked at Evie.
“Even if I do introduce you to her,” Evie explained, “a gentleman has to wait for a lady to bow her head to him when he meets her again. If she does not bow, the gentleman has to assume the lady does not wish to continue the acquaintance.”
Henrietta leaned forward. “Tom, I might suggest you avoid catching Mrs. Sheffield’s attention lest she express her desire to make your acquaintance. She might try to fix you too.”
Tom hesitated before exclaiming in a flat tone, “Fix me?”
Henrietta shrugged. “You are young and eligible. Yet, you remain unmarried. That might suggest there is something wrong with you.”
Evie set her cup down on her saucer, spilling half the contents.
“My dear, are you quite all right?”
“I’ve just realized. Within three days of being entertained, one is usually obliged to call on the hostess or else risk never being invited back to the house.”
Henrietta chortled. “I don’t believe that practice has crossed the ocean. Thank goodness.” Henrietta took a quick sip of her tea and then cast a furtive glance at the door.
“I think we might be safe for now,” Evie said. “It’s only been a day since Mrs. Sheffield attended the afternoon tea.”
“Yes, but she might not wish to waste any time.” Henrietta set her teacup down and surged to her feet.
“Oh, do sit down, Henrietta.”
Not bothering to hide her reluctance, Henrietta lowered herself back down. “I suppose I can always just ignore her. Only, do make sure to avoid introducing us.” Henrietta picked up her cup of tea and took a sip. Looking up, she noticed Tom averting his gaze. Smiling, Henrietta leaned forward and patted his hand. “Mr. Winchester, we have been introduced and we have both acknowledged each other. That ship has sailed.”
Tom laughed.
“Ah, I see. You are teasing me.”
Raising his cup, he smiled. “I couldn’t resist.”
When the door to the drawing room opened, everyone’s teacups rattled on their saucers.
“It’s only Phillipa.” Evie relaxed and helped herself to another cupcake. Since meeting the young Australian traveler, Evie had become fond of her company and had encouraged her to spend as much time as she wished at Halton House.
“I’m sorry I’m late.” Phillipa took the chair between Tom and Henrietta. “I was in the village and I got caught up in a conversation with the oddest person I’ve ever met and that is saying something since I seem to know many odd people.”
Henrietta sat back and exclaimed, “Not Mrs. Sheffield.”
“Yes. How did you guess?” Phillipa gave her a bright smile and then turned to Evie. “She seemed to know I’ve been staying with you and wanted me to pass on her apologies for not calling on you today.”
Henrietta tapped a finger against her chin. “I suppose I can always claim to have failing eyesight and pretend I don’t recognize her.”
Smiling, Phillipa helped herself to some tea. “I seem to have missed a significant portion of the conversation.”
Recovering from her musings, Henrietta turned to Phillipa, “We were actually discussing your writing friends. What do they wish to write?”
Phillipa brightened. “Oh, they are determined to set a murder mystery in this house. Don’t worry. I managed to dissuade them from calling it Murder at Halton House.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Evie said and could have sworn she heard Henrietta murmur something which sounded vaguely like a suggestion to name the victim Mrs. Sheffield.
Chapter Two
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is
to be continually fearing you will make one.”
– Elbert Hubbard
News of her grandmother’s imminent arrival sent Evie into a frenzy of activity. The timing could not have been more perfect. The more she focused on everything she needed to do before Toodle’s arrival, the less time she had to worry about Mrs. Sheffield.
“I think the second menu clashes with…” Evie shuffled through the pages until she found the one she wanted. “This one. It’s the same fish dish.”
“But there’s a different sauce, milady.”
Glancing up, Evie noticed the look exchanged between Mrs. Arnold, the housekeeper, and Mrs. Horace, the cook. It spoke of their forbearance fraying at the edges.
Normally, Evie spent a pleasant hour going over the menus as an excuse to chat with the cook and the housekeeper. It seemed to be the only opportunity to engage them in conversation and ask how they were faring.
How else would she have found out Mrs. Arnold’s niece had gained her nursing qualifications and had soon after met the man of her dreams? And poor Mrs. Horace’s nephew, who had suffered the loss of a limb during the Great War and had experienced difficulties adjusting to normal life, had met a most wonderful woman and had settled down, recently celebrating the arrival of their first-born son…
Today, however, Evie seemed to be intent on getting every detail right and, in the process, making Mrs. Horace and Mrs. Arnold fret. Had her own fretting become contagious?
“And the dinner service. We must make sure to use a different one every day. How many sets do w
e have?” When Evie saw their eyebrows wrinkling with concern and, possibly, bafflement, she smiled. “You have both been tremendously patient with me. I know I have been procrastinating over the choices you have offered. Let me assure you, this does not reflect badly on you. I… I merely wish to get everything absolutely right.” And, in the process, Evie thought, she had managed to turn a simple task into an ordeal.
Evie knew what her grandmother enjoyed but her tastes could change from day to day.
“I believe stealth will serve us well.” She glanced at the notes she’d been taking. “The flowers. Yes, the flower arrangements will need our attention. I think the colors should complement… or contrast my grandmother’s preference for earthy tones. Russet. Bronze. Tangerine…” Evie tapped her chin. “Yes, complement. No, wait. Perhaps they should contrast them. In a subtle manner, without competing for attention.” Everything had to be perfect, she silently insisted.
Unaware of the housekeeper’s utter state of confusion, Evie gathered her notes together and gave a firm nod. “We must be battle ready.”
Their surprised expressions had Evie smiling. “I know. You must think I’m overreacting. Trust me, I’m not. Mrs. Arnold, I’m afraid Halton House will fall under my grandmother’s sharp-eyed scrutiny. She’ll want to know why I have chosen to make the transatlantic crossing to settle here instead of returning home and she will most likely find any excuse to show me I have made a mistake.”
“Begging your pardon, milady, but this is your home,” Mrs. Arnold said.
“It’s very kind of you to say so.” Evie took a moment to savor the sentiment. As an outsider, it had taken her some time to settle into her new life and, back then, she’d had the support of her loving husband. She’d had to contend with many objectors to a foreigner taking over the role of lady of the house, but the staff had been surprisingly quick to embrace her.
In reality, Evie knew her granny wanted her to move on. That meant finding another husband. And when, and if, she did that, it would mean leaving Halton House behind…
Remembering Henrietta’s remarks about Mrs. Sheffield, Evie couldn’t help wondering if the woman would be happier with someone else taking over the role of Countess of Woodridge. Of course, that wouldn’t happen for many years as the current Earl of Woodridge was only seven years old.
“What am I forgetting? Oh…” Evie gave a small shake of her head. “The new vicar will be arriving tomorrow or the next day. I think it would be nice if we sent some fresh flowers and a basket of…” Evie looked at the cook. “What do you suggest, Mrs. Horace?”
“Well, I suppose I could prepare something to see him through the first couple of days. Do we… Do we know if he is married?”
Evie searched her memory. “I’m sorry. I am experiencing a blank moment. Perhaps you could also include some basic staples such as some of your lovely strawberry jam or the orange marmalade… oh, and some honey. I had some for breakfast and I believe we will take out another award at the fair this year.” She tapped her pen on the table. “While you’re at it, could you organize to send a basket to Mrs. Green, please. And include some honey too. She’s rather fond of it.” She needed the local dressmaker in a good mood. With such little time, she wouldn’t be able to dash to London or Paris but she knew the local dressmaker would be able to produce something splendid for her.
Sighing, she rose to her feet. “You have both done a splendid job and you have my full trust and support.” Turning, she saw Edgar giving a small nod of approval. He had been present during the meeting and Evie had made a point of placing all her trust in his ability to select the appropriate wines. It seemed to please him no end.
Mrs. Arnold cleared her throat. “Do you have any outings planned, milady?”
Heavens, sightseeing had never been in her granny’s agenda. “Alas, my grandmother frowns upon what she considers to be bluestocking activities.” She smiled to herself. Years before, her granny’s favorite pastime had been to follow Mrs. Vanderbilt around as she drove along Newport’s Bellevue Avenue in an open carriage, nodding or snubbing. The society queen had provided Toodles with endless hours of amusement.
Evie clasped her hands and pressed her fingers until they showed white. She would have to invite some interesting guests… “We still have a few weeks left to get all the details ironed out.” Thanking them, she made her way out of the drawing room. Stopping to draw a deep breath, she told herself all would be well.
“There you are.” Phillipa rushed up to her, her short bobbed blonde curls bouncing up and down. “I just saw my friends driving up. They’re here.”
“While your excitement is quite contagious, I’m afraid I’ll need a moment to catch my breath.” Evie stopped and gazed up at the ceiling. “I can’t remember if my granny prefers cranberry sauce or béchamel sauce or… mushroom sauce.” Evie brushed her fingers along her temple. “My head is throbbing.”
“Does your grandmother always have this effect on you?” Phillipa asked.
Evie gave a slow shake of her head. “No, but the fact she intends this visit to be a surprise has thrown me out of kilter.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
What would Toodles make of Phillipa’s writer friends? With her granny due to arrive in three weeks’ time and Phillipa’s writing friends staying at Halton House for two weeks, Evie would have a week to mentally prepare herself. But what if the visits overlapped? Should she add that to her list of concerns?
“About your friends… Are they as flamboyant as the bright young things I recently encountered?”
Phillipa gave it some thought. “They’re quite stylish. I hope that offers some comfort.”
“Yes, I believe I can deal with stylish.” Looking down at her blouse, Evie wondered if she should look at abandoning the pretty flower patterns she favored and consider the geometrical styles that had come into favor with the younger generation.
Edgar appeared from a side door and made a beeline for the entrance. When Evie and Phillipa reached him, he bowed his head slightly and opened the large front door.
“I’m so excited,” Phillipa said as they stood on the front steps watching the motor car driving up. “I haven’t seen them in months. It will be good to knuckle down and do some serious work.”
“How exactly will you go about it?” Evie asked.
“We’ll toss around a few ideas. Someone will do the major part of the writing and we can all offer our input and make suggestions.”
The motor car came to a stop and the uniformed chauffeur stepped out.
He had a light spring to his step and a scar running from the edge of his eye to his chin. Evie guessed he had served in the Great War.
Three women emerged from the motor car, all dressed immaculately, their clothes a fine testament to the latest fashion and preference for dazzling shapes and bold colors.
Phillipa introduced them. “Zelma Collins, Bernadette Peters, and Ernestine Wilding.”
The three friends burst into a chorus of greetings and remarks about the journey, the weather and the story they had been outlining.
Evie tried to commit the names to memory but her mind remained elsewhere. She had just spent two hours trying to refine the menus for her granny’s visit… whenever that might be, and she still couldn’t remember which sauce Toodles preferred. The last time she had visited, she had objected to…
Evie bit the edge of her lip.
It would come to her.
Scooping in a breath, she lifted her gaze and looked out onto the park that stretched for several miles. The trees rippled in the gentle breeze. In the distance, two estate workers were overseeing some sheep. She smiled at the easy rhythm of country living. What did it matter if she served the wrong sauce?
With the initial excitement of their arrival mellowing down, Evie smiled. “Welcome to Halton House.” While the trio had arrived in a chauffeur driven motor car, Evie noticed they hadn’t brought a maid.
“I might telephone the town house and ask Mill
icent to come down,” she murmured.
“Oh, you mustn’t fuss,” Phillipa assured her. “Ernestine has a maid but she’s used to getting by without one when she travels. Zelma and Bernadette will manage too.”
“It’s no trouble. Millicent will enjoy the trip down to Halton House. From what I understand, she has been complaining of not having enough to do and this makes her jittery.” Evie’s shoulders lowered. “She’s actually afraid she’ll lose her position.” Since settling at Halton House, Evie had made no plans to return to London, but she continued to maintain the town house fully staffed.
Edgar directed the footman who were taking care of the luggage and then he stood at attention awaiting further instructions.
Evie gave a small nod. “Edgar will show you to your rooms. We’ll be having refreshments in the morning drawing room.”
“Fabulous,” Zelma Collins offered. “We’re eager to get started.”
“Oh, then you might want me to stay out of the way,” Evie said.
“But that would defeat the purpose.” Zelma looked at the others who both nodded. “We’re hoping to tap into your expertise. Phillipa has been telling us about your recent experiences. We’ll be counting on your input.”
The trio made their way up the stairs, chatting excitedly.
Expertise?
“Are you gasping?” Phillipa whispered as the others moved out of hearing.
“Well… I am a little puzzled. Phillipa, what on earth did you say to them?”
“Only the truth. You mustn’t be too modest. I think Detective Inspector O’Neill would be the first to admit you have been a valuable contributor to his investigations.”
“I have only been an accidental participant.” Evie wrung her hands together. “Toodles… I mean, my granny can’t hear about any of it.”
“I can see this might all become a dreadful inconvenience.” Phillipa looked toward the stairs. “I think I will ask them to leave.”
“Oh, no. No, you mustn’t. I’m being silly. Everything will work out just fine.” As they entered the drawing room, Evie heard the crunch of footsteps along the gravel path outside. Looking out of the French doors, she saw Tom. No doubt, he had come to assess the new guests and determine the security risk.