Death of a Milliner: Riley Rochester Investigates Book 9 (Riley ~Rochester Investigates)

by Wendy Soliman

  He made his way to Chichester Hall, where he was greeted with pleasure by his mother, who was there on a prolonged visit, and more guardedly by Celia, who made precious little attempt to hide the fact that she resented Riley. He took luncheon with his family before getting the chance to have a quiet word with Henry.

  ‘Your lady friend is leaving Chichester now, today,’ he said without preamble.

  ‘What! What have you done?’ Henry puffed out his chest and his cheeks simultaneously, putting Riley in mind of a bullfrog. ‘How dare you interfere!’

  ‘I dare because the silly chit thought you were going to leave Celia and marry her. Did you give her reason to suppose that was the case?’

  ‘Well…I suppose I complained about my lot occasionally. Pillow talk, don’t you know.’ He sent Riley a scathing look. ‘You probably don’t. You and your idyllic life, never setting a foot wrong and never being tempted. For us lesser mortals, it’s a different story but I wouldn’t have disgraced the family name.’

  ‘Oh, Henry!’ Riley threw back his head and sighed. ‘To say that you’ve been indiscreet would be a gross understatement. Don’t you recognise the woman who called herself Felicity Hopgood from somewhere else?’

  Henry looked dumbfounded. ‘Should I?’

  ‘She was being trained by Adelaide at Mrs Sinclair’s establishment in Maiden Lane. Her name is Ruby.’

  Henry’s mouth fell open. ‘Rubbish,’ he said, recovering quickly. ‘She’s from a respectable family in Hertfordshire. She told me so herself. Anyway, I only went to Mrs Sinclair once or twice with a party of friends. I didn’t know most of the girls.’

  ‘As I say, you’ve been indiscreet in your liaisons. She heard you’d been complaining about your domestic situation and decided she liked the idea of becoming a marchioness. I suspect that when you failed to oblige her she would have threatened to bleat about your activities in an effort to have you purchase her silence.’

  ‘I don’t believe it.’ Henry shook his head. ‘She wouldn’t do such a—’

  ‘I think you know very well not only that she would, but she was well on the way to succeeding. I don’t know how much cash has passed from you to her and I don’t want to know. That’s your business. Just think about your daughter and try to be a bit more circumspect in future.’ Riley turned to the door. ‘I shall see you again when you return to London.’

  Riley took his leave of his family and made his way back to the railway station, passing the pottery shop on his way. As he knew would be the case, the blinds were closed and the sign on the door implied that the business had been terminated.

  With a sigh of relief, Riley boarded his train, looking forward to the rest of the weekend without the distraction of unresolved murders and family disputes.

  The End

  About the Author

  Hi, I do hope you enjoyed Death of a Milliner. If so, please take a moment to leave a review on Amazon. I’d love to hear what you thought of this particular novel – what you enjoyed most about it and what you didn’t like. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

  Reach me at wendysoliman@rocketmail.com

  I’m a British author, brought up on the Isle of Wight, but now live in Andorra. I share my life with my long-suffering husband and a rescued dog of indeterminate pedigree named Jake Bentley after the hero in one of my books. Both Jakes are handsome mongrels with independent spirits and wild streaks.

  I’ve had over sixty books published, ranging from Regency romance, (my first love), to contemporary women’s fiction and marine crime mysteries.

  When not writing I walk miles with my dog, make half-hearted visits to the gym, read other people’s tomes…oh, and I’m on a one woman mission to keep the wine trade profitable!

  Check out all of my books, and learn more about me from my website: http:www.wendysoliman.com

  Or on my Amazon author page author.to/wendys

  Follow me on twitter @wendyswriter or on Facebook: Wendy Soliman - Author

  Also available from this Author

  Historical Romance

  Stand Alone Regencies

  Lady Hartley’s Inheritance

  Duty’s Destiny

  A Reason to Rebel

  Forgotten Heiress

  For Want of a Reputation

  Christmas at Castleray

  Ava’s Passion

  Lady Mysterious

  Disinherited

  Divided Loyalties

  A Scandalous Proposition

  The Perfect Impostor

  Lady Impetuous

  Sacrificial Bride

  Dangerous Dukes Series

  To Defy a Duke

  The Duke’s Legacy

  A Duke by Default

  Of Dukes and Deceptions

  Game of Dukes

  Dukes and Indiscretions

  Never Dare a Duke

  To Desire a Duke

  Mrs. Darcy Entertains Series Boxset

  Miss Bingley’s Revenge / Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Dilemma / Miss Darcy’s Passion / Kitty Bennet’s Despair / Lydia Wickham’s Journal

  Pemberley – The Next Generation Series Vols 1 – 3 Boxset

  Emma Bingley’s Romantic Nature / Naomi Sanford’s Compassionate Nature / Bella Darcy’s Impetuous Nature

  Pemberley – The Next Generation Series Vols 4 – 6 Boxset

  Eleanor Bingley’s Rebellious Nature / Rosie Turner’s Contrary Nature / Susie Darcy’s Tenacious Nature

  Simon Bingley’s Resolve

  Ducal Encounters Series 1

  At the Duke’s Discretion

  With the Duke’s Approval

  Portrait of a Duke

  For the Duke’s Pleasure

  In the Duke’s Estimation

  Captivating the Duke

  Ducal Encounters Series 2

  Reunited with the Duke

  Christmas with the Duke

  Representing the Duke

  Safeguarding the Duke

  Acting for the Duke

  Emulating the Duke

  Ducal Encounters Series 3

  Conspiring with the Duke

  Dedicated to the Duke

  Impugning the Duke’s Honour

  By Order of the Duke

  Supporting the Duke

  Protecting the Duke’s Interests

  Ducal Encounters Series 4

  As the Duke’s Agent

  Masquerading with the Duke

  On the Duke’s Authority

  Beyond the Duke’s Domain

  Carlton House Cartel

  Chance

  Amara

  The Forsters

  Compromising the Marquess

  Beguiling the Barrister

  Finessing the Contessa

  Romancing the Runaway

  Victorian Vigilante Series Boxset

  Saving Grace / Heirs and Graces / With Good Grace / Fall From Grace / Social Graces / Elegance and Grace

  Riley Rochester Investigates Series

  Death of a Debutante

  Death of a Courtesan

  Death of a Prosecutor

  Death of a Scoundrel

  Death of an Artist

  Death of a Recluse

  Death of a Matriarch

  Death of a Footman

  Death of a Milliner

  Perceptions Series

  A Sense of Belonging

  A Sense of Purpose

  A Sense of Misgiving

  A Sense of Injustice

  A Sense of Turmoil

  A Sense of Destiny

  A Sense of Fate

  Contemporary Titles

  English Contemporary Romance Boxset: Reinventing Radleigh/ Shalimar/Silver Lining

  English Contemporary Romance Boxset 2: Name of the Game / Downsizing / Topspin

  The Hunter Files Boxset: Unfinished Business /

  Risky Business/ Lethal Business

  Investigates)