Murder at the Tea Party

by Sonia Parin

  “The neighbor you imagined seeing. It might have been a cat,” Tom suggested.

  “No, I had the distinct impression we were being watched. Even after we abandoned the idea of anyone answering the bell and walked around the building to see the orchard. If Charlie Timms has been carrying on with one or more women, then I believe the neighbor will have something to say about it. In fact, I would bet anything they are eager to share what they know. It’s to do with the force of human nature.”

  Glancing at her, Tom asked, “Does this mean you have been dipping into those books you pulled out of the shelves?”

  To Evie’s surprise, she had read through an entire book only to start again as most of it had been quite difficult to understand. “Yes, my attention has been engaged. I find the subject of the human mind and behaviors intriguing. I’m hoping the third reading will open my mind to a better understanding of the subject.”

  “Third?”

  “I skimmed through it the first time.” Evie huffed out a breath. “The author uses too many words to get to the point.” Another huff had her admitting, “I seem to be a slow learner.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it eventually. By the way,” Tom said as he slowed down to take a bend in the road, “Meg Harrison came through with more information from her friend who works at Witford Hall.”

  Evie remembered Tom had asked the pub’s maid to make further inquiries for them…

  “Mrs. Howard-Smith returned to Witford Hall rather late. Her husband had gone into London to attend a dinner and he didn’t return until much later. According to the maid, Mrs. Howard-Smith asked for a cup of tea and then went straight to bed.”

  So… The husband had been conveniently away on the evening she died. “Had she already been complaining of nausea when she arrived?”

  “No. The maid said she took in the cup of tea and half an hour later, Mrs. Howard-Smith rang for her. That’s when she became ill. Several hours later, her condition worsened and they called for the doctor.”

  Evie gasped. “But that means someone within her household could have poisoned her.”

  “Maybe. Then again, she did go straight to bed so she might already have been feeling ill.”

  True. Also, if someone within her household had poisoned her, they would have to rethink their theory of the same person killing both women.

  “Did the maid know where she’d been?”

  “No, but she told Meg Mrs. Howard-Smith always took advantage of her husband’s trips.”

  “And?”

  “That’s all she said. We can assume she meant Mrs. Howard-Smith took the liberty to go out by herself.”

  To meet her lover?

  When Hollyhock Farm came into view, Tom slowed down and asked, “Well, have you come up with a plan?”

  Evie bit the edge of her lip. “Not really. I’m obsessing about something else. The detective must have known all along about Mrs. Howard-Smith’s late arrival as well as the tea her maid took up to her.”

  Tom gave a pensive nod. “You’re annoyed because he let you stew in your own juices.”

  Yes. He’d made her think she had become a suspect. “If he had this information, why did he feel compelled to question me?” Seeing Charlie Timms emerging from his house, Evie shrugged. “Never mind all that. Put your thinking cap on.”

  “Just so we are clear, you suspect Charlie Timms of wooing local women and then poisoning them.”

  “Yes.”

  “How did we end up following this train of thought?” Tom asked.

  “Let me think.” Evie tapped her chin. “Oh, yes. We decided the committee ladies were safeguarding a secret and that led us to conclude it had to be a secret liaison.”

  “Yes, but why Charlie Timms?”

  “You’ll know once you meet him. He is… Well… He is quite good looking. Are you about to suggest we might be barking up the wrong tree?”

  Shaking his head, Tom said, “I’m trying to pull away and look at the bigger picture but I seem to be caught up in your theory. However, do we really believe two women were having an affair with the same man?”

  “I think it might be best to suspend all disbelief and open our minds up to any possibility.” Tom didn’t look convinced. “I will not sit by and watch my maid’s heart be broken by a callous rogue.”

  “Well then, we should catch up with Charlie Timms.”

  They followed the path he’d taken. The farm buildings were lined up to one side and on the other, beyond the neatly trimmed hedges, there were fields with various crops growing on them. Finally, they strode into the stable yard where they found Charlie Timms inspecting a horse and giving it an occasional pat. When he saw them, he removed his cap and nodded.

  “That’s a fine looking horse, Mr. Timms.”

  “Thank you, milady.”

  Evie introduced him to Tom, saying, “I’ve been telling Mr. Winchester all about your stud services.” In every sense of the word, Evie thought.

  “Well, if you’re looking for a horse, this is the place to come. His Lordship here has the finest temperament. He’s been siring the best hunters around.”

  Evie ran her hand over the horse’s mane. “We were actually wondering who your clients might be.”

  Charlie Timms brushed his hand across his chin. “I would have to say most of the locals with stables.”

  That would put him in contact with just about everyone in the county, Evie thought. She needed to narrow it all down. But how?

  Evie looked about her and smiled. “I’m so glad we came out today. We’ve been spending endless hours in the library and missing out on this bright, sunny weather.” Her smile faded and as she spoke she watched Charlie Timms for any signs that might give him away. “I suppose that’s not the worst that can happen. There are some people who won’t be enjoying this fine weather… I recently had tea with Mrs. Howard-Smith and she told me how much she enjoyed riding in the hunt.” In actual fact, Evie had no idea if Mrs. Howard-Smith had enjoyed riding. “I guess she won’t be doing much of that.”

  Charlie Timms looked into the distance.

  “Did she happen to own one of your horses?”

  His mouth firmed and he gave a barely perceptible nod. “She did.”

  “Of course, you would have heard about her unfortunate death.”

  His eyes lowered slightly. “Yes, it caught everyone by surprise.”

  Evie’s patience paid off when he took a deep swallow.

  Turning her attention to His Lordship, she gave him a pat and lowered her voice. “In fact, you knew her very well.”

  “I’m sure I don’t know what you are referring to, milady.”

  Her mind provided her with a hunch and she went with it. “A few days ago, when I drove out here with the agent, I saw Mrs. Howard-Smith’s car pulling away. Of course, it makes sense now. Her husband had gone into town…” She only assumed the car she’d seen had belonged to Mrs. Howard-Smith. When Charlie Timms didn’t contradict her, she decided her instinct had been right. She then decided that hadn’t been the only time the car had driven out this way. “So, she rushed out here to be with you. Isn’t that what happened?” Evie didn’t wait for him to answer. She stroked His Lordship and added, “The night she died, she came to you.”

  “I told her it had to stop,” he whispered, his voice carrying a surprising hint of emotion. “But she wouldn’t listen.”

  Evie slanted her gaze toward him and saw his eyes had lost their focus.

  Tom took a step forward. She wondered if he wanted to take up a position of advantage just in case Charlie Timms tried something.

  “Did you tell the police about her visits?” Evie asked.

  When he looked up, she saw his eyes harbored a storm of emotions.

  “I couldn’t.” He shook his head. “Her reputation… Even now.” He gave another shake of his head. “No one can know.”

  That struck Evie as odd. Why would he care about her reputation? Because he’d actually cared about her?<
br />
  Deciding to give her instinct another try, she said, “And there was also Mrs. Hallesberry. And now they are both dead.” She gave him long enough to deny it, but he didn’t. “What do you think the police will do if they find out they were both having an affair with you?”

  “I didn’t kill them.” His fingers tightened around his cap. “I didn’t.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Relieved not to be the guest of honor

  Parish Church near Witford Hall

  “Arriving at a funeral service in a roadster seems inappropriate.”

  “I don’t feel the same way,” Tom remarked. “In fact, it gives me a feeling of joyous affirmation for everything life has to offer. We’re alive and we must make the best of it while we can.”

  Evie nodded. “You’re quite right. In fact, you’ve managed to convert me to your way of thinking. The same can’t be said for everyone who has just turned their heads to watch our arrival. I think they disapprove. Either that, or they are surprised to see me here. This is not how I imagined letting everyone know I had returned to Berkshire.” Glancing at Tom, Evie rolled her eyes. “Try not to look so cheerful.”

  “My apologies. I’d just been thinking what I will tell your grandmother when she next asks what you have been up to.”

  “She actually checks up on me?”

  “Regularly. You are her heiress.”

  “Next time you correspond with her, please check with me. I wouldn’t want us to provide her with contrasting accounts.”

  Tom laughed. “Are you afraid she’ll catch you out in a lie?”

  “Not me. I’m her granddaughter. She’s bound to take my word over yours.”

  He smiled. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

  Evie spent a few moments admiring the local church which stood on a hill near a babbling brook. “She will have a lovely view and her family won’t have far to travel if they wish to visit.

  Tom brushed his hand across his face. “She’s dead.”

  “Must you be such a pessimist?”

  “I prefer to think of myself as a realist.”

  Evie let the remark slide thinking she didn’t wish to find herself having to justify the two years she had spent in deep mourning… “Henrietta said we should be able to see Witford Hall from here.” Evie pointed toward a copse of trees. “There. To the right of those trees. It’s quite imposing.”

  Tom agreed with a nod. “I still can’t quite understand how a country with such a small land mass can accommodate so many large estates.” Tom brought the motor car to a stop. “I see the committee ladies are here.”

  Evie scanned the congregation milling around the church yard and wondered if the killer stood among them. The three remaining members of the committee stood together, shoulder to shoulder. Mrs. Clarissa Penn, Henrietta’s spy, appeared to be in shock. Her eyes looked wide and her lips slightly parted.

  “Have you decided what you’re going to do about Charlie Timms?” Tom asked.

  Since Charlie had admitted to having affairs with both women, Evie knew she should have gone straight to the police with the information.

  Despite her efforts to extricate a full confession, he had refused to name anyone else he might be involved with. Evie wanted to believe him. She hoped she could. She had delayed passing the information onto the police mostly because she had felt swayed by Charlie Timms’ concern for the women’s reputations, even after death. Tossing and turning during the night hadn’t helped. What if he had only been looking after his own interests?

  “Do you think Charlie Timms is afraid he will suffer consequences from being unmasked as the local Lothario?” Evie wondered out loud. “Everyone would stop buying horses from him. He would probably have to move away.”

  “I’m surprised you don’t wish him to pay for his sins.”

  “Why would I want him to pay for his affairs? It’s none of my business, I’m sure.”

  “You’re a woman. You’re supposed to disapprove.”

  Evie turned to look at Tom. “I can’t tell if you’re being serious or not.” Seeing the edges of his eyes crinkling with amusement, she shook her head. “You’re making fun of me.”

  “Actually, I’m probably poking fun at myself. Most men tend to generalize women but I’m finding it difficult to do it with you.”

  Evie couldn’t help smiling. In most matters, she wished to make up her own mind rather than allow herself to be swept along with the general consensus. If that made her different, then so be it. Also…

  She rather liked the idea of Tom seeing her in a different light.

  “I am shocked by the affairs but I don’t see the point of casting aspersions. Each to his own. He didn’t have the affairs by himself. And while he should have known better than to become involved with married women, they should have known better too.” She gave it some more thought and added, “I should be annoyed by the aftermath. After all, I have been dragged into it all simply because I tried to intervene. Remind me never to encourage peaceful resolutions.” Evie lifted her chin. “I have learned my lesson. Sometimes, there is simply no swaying people from their disagreeable manners.”

  “So, will you tell the police about Charlie Timms?”

  “I might try to strike a deal. Surely there is nothing to be gained by dragging everyone’s name through the mud and making the affairs public. However, the police need to speak with everyone who came into contact with both women. They might find a new lead.”

  “Does that mean you believe Charlie Timms is innocent of killing them?”

  Evie sighed. “He admitted to having the affairs. If he’d been guilty of killing them, I think he might have tried to deny even knowing them.” His acquaintance with both women put Charlie Timms in a perilous position and Evie didn’t want to be the one to throw him to the wolves, certainly not without good reason. She would decide what to do after the service.

  “Here come the dowagers,” Tom said.

  The chauffeured driven car came to a stop beside Tom’s roadster.

  Henrietta’s chauffeur, Hobson, stepped out and held the door open for Henrietta, Sara and Phillipa who had expressed an interest in attending the service.

  When they emerged, they immediately sent their gazes skating over everyone congregated outside the church.

  “It’s almost as if we are all compelled to see who remains standing,” Evie mused.

  Tom came around and opened the passenger door for her. “Thank you. Oh… Would you mind doing me a favor?” Evie didn’t wait for him to answer. “I’m going to turn around very slowly and I’d like you to see if there is anything out of place.”

  “Dare I ask?”

  Evie turned and sighed. “It is rather a long story.”

  “From experience, funerals tend to inspire people into reminiscing. We all know how you felt about Mrs. Howard-Smith but if you tell me your tale, then it will appear as though you are recounting a fond memory about the lady.”

  “Fine, I’ll tell you, but I’m sure you’ll find it all too silly. Caro is cross with me and she has been taking it out on my clothes. She shows all signs of being remorseful but that doesn’t mean she will stop laying siege to my wardrobe.”

  Tom chortled. “I’m trying to imagine it but I’m failing.”

  Huffing out a breath, Evie said, “In one instance, the flowers on my hat were plucked clean of their petals. I fear she is planning her next assault and will try to catch me by surprise.”

  “Wait a minute… Is this why you were losing your feathers the other night?”

  “Yes. Caro’s handy work. If we didn’t get on so well, I’d have a good mind to send her on her way. Imagine if I did something truly wicked. I’d have to sleep with one eye open.”

  “And what exactly did you do to deserve such creative attention from your maid?”

  “Nothing… I mean, nothing I find terrible but Caro seems to think I am heartless because I sent Seth Halton to a preparatory school.”

  “He is onl
y seven,” Tom murmured.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake. Not you too.”

  Laughing, Tom looked away and asked, “Is that Everett Townsend?”

  “The pineapple man? Where?”

  “Near the grieving committee members. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it looks to me as if he is eavesdropping on their conversation.”

  Evie had to agree. Everett Townsend had the look of a man pretending to be interested in a statue while leaning slightly toward the group of women.

  “I wonder if he would be prepared to share what he overhears?” Evie asked.

  “And I wonder why he is even trying to listen in on the conversation,” Tom remarked. “What does he hope to gain?”

  When Henrietta and Sara joined them, Evie asked, “Do you recognize anyone?”

  “Yes. Most of those in attendance, but I do spy some new faces,” Henrietta said. “When you are young, you are likely to extend your circle of acquaintances by attending balls and soirees. Eventually, you begin to attend funerals. As time progresses, you find yourself attending less balls and more services for the dearly departed. Strangely, the circle of acquaintances then begins to decrease.”

  “Make the best of it, Henrietta. I doubt you’ll be meeting many new people at our tea parties.”

  “My dear, I never knew you to be such a pessimist. I’m sure people will find something new to talk about soon. Perhaps you should focus on creating a distraction…”

  Oh, yes. That would do the trick, Evie thought. Create a new scandal.

  “We should circulate and keep our focus on odd behavior,” Evie suggested. “And anyone who appears to not belong here. Or… maybe someone who looks uncomfortable and ready to make a run for it.”

  Henrietta cast her glance around. “You do that, Evangeline, while I’ll keep an eye out for the guilty looking ones.”

  “Isn’t that what I just said?”

  Phillipa joined the group. “Is it just me, or is everyone looking about as if searching for a culprit?”

  “We are,” Evie agreed. “Everyone is intrigued.”