Murder at the Seaside Hotel: A 1920's Historical Cozy Mystery (An Evie Parker Mystery Book 5)

by Sonia Parin

  Murder at the Seaside Hotel: A 1920s Historical Cozy Mystery

  An Evie Parker Mystery Book 5

  Sonia Parin

  Murder at the Seaside Hotel Copyright © 2019 Sonia Parin

  No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  Author Notes - Facts and Historical references

  Other books by Sonia Parin

  Chapter 1

  Oh, those seaside trippers, oh, those seaside trippers.

  Up and down they gaily go, where the breeze is blowing. - Will Terry “Seaside Trippers” 1914 song

  Summer, 1920

  Worthing, England

  “Milady, it’s time to wake up.”

  “But I only just closed my eyes.” Evie threw a pillow over her face. “Come back in half an hour.”

  “You have been asleep for two whole hours and you were quite firm about me waking you up now because you only needed a brief rest.”

  “Two hours? Surely not. I must say, I cannot recommend this hotel for its peace and quiet,” Evie grumbled.

  Caro continued, her tone light and cheerful, “I honestly can’t understand why you would wish to miss out on such a splendid day. Edmonds and I have strolled along the Pavilion pier several times. Everyone is out and about enjoying themselves. I have just pressed your lovely dress and Tom has been pacing.”

  Evie lifted the pillow and peered at Caro. “You’re going to keep talking until I get up.”

  Caro gave her a bright smile. “Yes. That is the plan. You might not be excited, but this is my first trip to the seaside and I aim to make the best of it. Everyone has been so lovely and friendly. Of course, no one can tell I am a lady’s maid or maybe everyone is simply too happy to be by the seaside to notice or even care that they might be rubbing shoulders with a maid. The air alone is enough to make me smile. The sooner you get up, the sooner I can get on with enjoying the rest of the day… I hope you don’t think I am speaking out of turn, but you did give me leave to use any means possible to wake you up.”

  Sighing, Evie flung the bedcovers off. “Happy now?”

  “Oh, yes. Although, I was happy before. I suppose that means I am even happier now. I believe Tom has planned an outing for you or maybe an afternoon tea. I’m not sure which. If you were to ask him, he would tell you he’s had plenty of time to change his mind while you slept the afternoon away. Anyhow, Edmonds has an outing planned for us. Did you know the first moving picture show in Worthing was seen on the pier way back in 1896? I didn’t know that. Here’s another fact…”

  Evie yawned. “Is it about the pier? If it is, I’m not sure I want to hear about it.”

  “No, it’s about the Midsummer Tree. It stands near Broadwater Green and is said to be around 300 years old. Can you believe that? Some people still believe skeletons rise from the tree and dance around it until dawn on Midsummer’s Eve. We’re close enough to the date. Do you think we might see them? I hope we do.”

  Hugging the pillow against her, Evie croaked, “You’re determined to ensure I don’t curl up and fall asleep again.”

  Caro gave the pillow a tug. “I don’t understand why you are so tired. It’s not as if we drove all the way from Berkshire.”

  “I find traveling from one place to another tiring.” Releasing her hold on the pillow, Evie stretched. “Fine. I’m awake and I am up. Is your room suitable?”

  “Oh, yes. It actually has a view.”

  “Why are you surprised?”

  Caro shrugged and busied herself straightening a cushion on the chaise lounge at the foot of the bed.

  Understanding dawned. A lady’s maid was usually allocated a room somewhere in the attics or in the back of the house. But this was as much Caro’s vacation as it was Evie’s.

  “When we returned from our promenade, Edmonds said he wished to go to his room so he could enjoy his view. He is ever so grateful you decided to bring him along too.”

  “Yes, well... There was no talking Tom out of driving the roadster and we couldn’t fit all the luggage in there because that would have left no room for you. Now that I think about it, I believe he planned it this way all along since the only way he could drive the roadster was if the larger motor car could carry the extra gasoline.”

  Caro inspected the hat she had selected for Evie to wear. “I felt like a grand lady traveling with my very own chauffeur in the Duesenberg. I have been meaning to ask…”

  When Caro hesitated, Evie smiled. “Do feel free to do so. What’s on your mind?”

  “I know you mentioned wanting to celebrate our ten-year anniversary, but I can’t help wondering… You didn’t seem awfully keen to travel...”

  Evie gave it some thought. Her granny’s so-called surprise visit had been delayed by Toodles’ desire to visit Venice. Evie had made all the preparations for her arrival, exhausting her household staff until she thought everything would be perfect and now all that hard work would have to be postponed for the time being. “I think everyone needs a break from me. The timing is perfect.”

  In reality, she would have thoroughly enjoyed staying at Halton House where it was nice and cozy, in a grand sort of manner.

  However, she had received an invitation from the hotel owner and, most importantly, she had realized her maid had been with her for ten years. Evie had surprised Caro by remarking upon the upcoming event and suggesting they do something to celebrate it.

  While Caro had not understood the significance or Evie’s excitement, Evie had been unable to ignore it. Caro had been her first personal maid and she had become quite attached to the young woman’s company.

  It had taken some doing to find out what Caro wanted and she had only succeeded because her other maid, Millicent, had forced the information out of her.

  Caro had never been to the seaside and she had claimed she would like nothing better than to spend a few days there, preferably staying somewhere with a pretty view.

  If Caro had asked to be presented to the Prince of Wales, Evie would have stopped at nothing to make it happen for her. A trip to the seaside had been such a small dream to Evie... Then again, she had grown up in Newport, Rhode Island, so the sea didn’t hold the same novelty.

  Despite having their destination settled by the timely and generous offer Evie had received from the owner of the hotel, she’d then had to tie up some loose ends. Before setting off, there had been a round of scheduled visits to take care of,
committee meetings to attend, as well as some last-minute meetings with the estate manager and the trustees looking after the current Earl’s welfare. Evie had spent a week rushing around and now felt she needed a week to recuperate.

  If only she could…

  If she spent all her vacation time in bed or lounging about, Evie knew Caro would worry about her so she really needed to make an effort and get into the spirit of it all. At least, for Caro’s sake…

  “Why don’t you go ahead and join Edmonds. I can dress myself. Oh, and make sure Tom doesn’t wear out the carpet with his pacing. Actually, where is he doing his pacing?”

  “It’s not just pacing, milady. He is brooding and he’s doing it in public, in the lobby.”

  That struck Evie as odd. Tom had been only too happy to set off on their trip to the seaside. “What could have come over him?”

  “If you ask me, he’s craving some excitement,” Caro suggested.

  “Impossible. He’s always trying to talk me out of becoming involved in things that shouldn’t concern me.” Evie stilled and stared out of the window. “Heavens, I believe I just made myself sound like a busybody.”

  Caro rummaged through Evie’s luggage and produced another hat. “I think this one will suit you best with that dress. It has cherries on it.”

  Evie glanced at the hat. Cherries? What had she been thinking? “Yes, that will do very nicely, thank you. Run along now, Caro. Don’t let my tardiness spoil your vacation.”

  Caro laughed. “If any of the maids working here heard you, they’d clobber me over the head just to steal my job away from me.”

  “Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  Chapter 2

  Evie walked down the central staircase casting an appreciative glance at the seascapes displayed along the way.

  The Hotel St. James had, until recently, been a private seaside home. The previous owners had been prominent members of society with a knighthood here and there, but they had fallen on hard times when successive heirs had died, with the most recent heir running up such vast debts he had been forced to sell the house. Although, according to rumors, he had lost the house at cards.

  A forward-thinking entrepreneur had purchased the property and had decided to turn it into a luxury hotel for the well to-do. The fact Evie had requested rooms with views for her maid and chauffeur had at first been frowned upon by the manager. But a word with the owner had sorted it all out. After all, he had extended the invitation.

  When Evie had told the dowager about it, Henrietta had been somewhat suspicious of the offer…

  “I believe he wishes to gain your seal of approval,” Henrietta had said.

  New money, the dowager had then remarked, was beginning to make some people more prominent but not entirely visible or acceptable within certain circles.

  While they were financially on the rise, they remained quite insignificant and inconspicuous because even large fortunes did not buy them a place in society which was where one could come to know the right people. If only they could gain access.

  Evie had wanted to know if this so-called society had a particular meeting place only to realize the dowager had been referring to the grand houses and families living in them. She supposed that included herself and… just about everyone she knew. Something she found amusing since, in reality, Evie belonged to the new money set.

  As for Evie wishing to give her maid a vacation…

  Henrietta had lifted her eyebrows, but she had refrained from commenting. Anyone else in her position would have made a point of instructing Evie on the ways of their world and the differences between servants and… the rest of them.

  Then again, the dowager took great pride in always being the exception, accepting Evie into the family, embracing her odd ways and even celebrating them.

  Evie smiled. It had all worked out well in the end and they were bound to spend a glorious week by the seaside...

  Despite the initial glitch with the hotel manager, Mr. Rudy Moorhouse, the hotel owner, had been only too happy to organize a premier room for Caro, assuring Evie he would make all the necessary arrangements. Evie had been prepared to cover the extra costs of providing her maid with a well-appointed room but Mr. Rudy Moorhouse had been eager to waive it.

  “Mark my word,” Henrietta had warned, “he is determined to use you. Word about you staying at the hotel will spread and people will want to follow suit. You will be setting a trend for him. You know nothing about his background, so you risk associating yourself with who knows what type of scoundrel…”

  It didn’t bother Evie. Being as rich as Croesus, she had the means to travel anywhere she wished, but she had seen no reason to look a gift horse in the mouth.

  Evie glanced around the lobby taking in the fashionable style and wondered if Mr. Moorhouse would prove the dowager correct. His taste certainly couldn’t be faulted, she thought. No one would criticize the chairs upholstered in sea green or the rest of the decorations, mostly small bronze statues and paintings of seascapes. Nothing she or anyone could find offensive, Evie thought.

  When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Evie saw Tom sitting on a curved sofa flanked by palm trees. A woman stood behind him, partially hidden by a statue of a turbaned gentleman and she appeared to be studying Tom. Evie didn’t blame her. Tom Winchester, the bodyguard her granny had hired to make sure Evie didn’t fall prey to some unscrupulous gold-digger or kidnapper, had the sort of appealing looks that made him stand out in a crowd.

  Seeing her, Tom jumped to his feet and made a beeline for her. “I thought I might have to go up to make sure you hadn’t been kidnapped or murdered in your sleep.”

  “What nonsense. Who would want to kidnap me? I would make such a fuss, they would release me in no time.”

  “That, I believe.”

  “Now, what do you have planned for us? Caro mentioned something about an afternoon tea.”

  Tom nodded. “Right after we visit the pier. Caro hasn’t stopped talking about it all day. By the way, nice hat.”

  “Thank you. I’m afraid it’s one of those impulse decisions I am currently regretting.” Ever since abandoning her pretty floral prints in favor of the more fashionable blocks of color, she had been feeling bereft of… well, she supposed she missed the distraction afforded by floral patterns. Evie laughed. “In case you are wondering, I’m prattling on in silence about my fashion choices when I know I should be asking you why you have been pacing.”

  Tom gave her a casual shrug and led her out of the hotel. “Perhaps it has something to do with the fact the roadster can do more than sixty miles per hour and yet this trip took two days to complete.”

  Evie didn’t bother hiding her surprise. “You wanted to drive faster?”

  He tipped his hat down and lowered his voice to a murmur. “At least a little bit faster.”

  “Where’s the joy in that? You miss out on the scenery when it all becomes a blur.”

  His eyes twinkled. “Ah, yes, but you get to enjoy driving a fast car.”

  “You call that an argument?” Evie gave an unladylike snort. “Think of all the pretty villages we discovered along the way. Besides, you know how Henrietta feels about driving too fast. Since hearing about our trip, she has related numerous stories about the motor car accidents she has been hearing about.”

  Tom made a point of looking over his shoulder. “I don’t see the dowager anywhere.”

  “And just as well. Henrietta didn’t see the point of traveling all this way just to look at the sea. One glance at it and she would have insisted we return.” Evie exchanged smiles with a couple walking by. “I believe this is going to be an extraordinarily dull vacation. Think about it. We have traveled all the way from Berkshire to Sussex without a single mishap delaying our journey. Although, you might argue that point by complaining we didn’t need to stop overnight along the way. Anyhow, I think we are experiencing a quiet lull. Anything might have happened, but it didn’t.”

  “You almo
st sounded wistful just then. Are you, by any chance, missing your days of murder and mayhem?”

  Oh… Yes, she had sounded rather nostalgic! “Of course, not. Perhaps I need to use this vacation to become accustomed to a more humdrum existence. After all, it’s what I have been craving all along.”

  Looking at the people strolling along, Evie decided Caro had been right. Everyone looked cheerful and carefree. “Say something amusing, Tom. I feel the need to join in the fun. Or, at least, appear to be enjoying myself.”

  Tom looked up at the sky. “I think the seagulls are finding your hat rather attractive. Look, they’re hovering above you and I swear they are eyeing the cherries on your hat.”

  Evie laughed. “You tease me. Oh… Heavens!”

  A seagull swooped down.

  Tom grabbed her arm and drew Evie away from the seagull’s path just in time to avoid it. “Keep your head down and hold onto your hat. Or, better still, sacrifice it. Give the seagull what it wants.”

  “Do you think we should turn back?”

  “No, I think I can defend you against a few squawking seagulls.”

  Evie’s voice hitched. “There are more?”

  Putting his hand on her hat, Tom suggested taking cover in a tea room.

  To the amusement of some onlookers, they broke into a run with Evie squealing, “I can’t see where we’re going.”

  “Mind your step.”

  Evie lifted her foot in time to avoid tripping over the step leading into the tea room.