by Sonia Parin
“I think we’re safe now,” Tom said.
“Well, thank goodness for that.” Evie adjusted her hat. “I would hate to be asked to leave because I’ve arrived accompanied by a flock of enraged seagulls.”
Glancing at the tables set up outside the tea room in the open air, Tom said, “As inviting as they look, I think we would be asking for trouble if we requested to be seated out here. Let’s play it safe and go inside. We can watch the world go by from the safety of a table by the window.” He guided her inside the tea room and said, “I see a couple of guests from the hotel. I suppose that is a commendation of sorts.”
“Oh, who? Where?”
“The lady with a hat similar to yours. Perhaps she too is taking shelter here.”
“More cherries? I shall have to burn this hat.” Her gaze skated over the tables until she spotted a woman wearing a straw hat. “I don’t think they’re cherries. They look more like strawberries.” Evie thought the gentleman sitting beside her looked familiar. “I think I saw them when we arrived this morning. Or perhaps I only saw him. Yes, he was in the lobby reading a newspaper. I remember noticing the tilt of his hat and thinking he looked like a bon vivant but now I’m not so sure.”
“May I ask why you changed your mind about him?”
“He looks rather displeased about something. Look at him. He’s drumming his fingers on the table. Then again, I’m told you were pacing earlier on and you’re not exactly the pacing type. Or, at least, I didn’t think you were. Perhaps they’ve been made to wait too long for their tea. Although, his companion looks rather pleased with herself.” On closer inspection, Evie thought her smile looked a little forced. She might even go so far as to say the woman looked somewhat downcast, but she didn’t mention it.
Since Caro had only noticed people being happy, Evie decided she should put in an effort.
They were shown through to a table by the window and Evie made sure to shift her chair slightly so she could study the hotel guests.
Tom laughed.
“Do share,” Evie invited.
“I’m thinking about your remark. You’re quite right about me pacing. I had been feeling jumpy. I went through a cycle of picking up a newspaper, setting it down, pacing around, sitting down again… But nothing held my interest for long until I found an article about… Well, never mind that. And now you are thoroughly intrigued by the hotel guests. What does that tell you about us?”
Evie straightened. “Oh. Oh, my. Are we missing the exhilaration of a murder mystery? And I’m not referring to the play we were recently forced to take part in.”
“There’s something to be said for puzzles,” Tom said. “They have certainly kept us engaged.”
“Well, we can’t become embroiled in a murder mystery here,” Evie said. “For starters, what are the chances of someone being killed? Also, we don’t have access to our resourceful library.” Evie gave him a whimsical smile. “Although, that wouldn’t necessarily stop us. I am, after all, a Countess.”
“Meaning?”
“I could gain entry into a grand house to access their library.”
Tom tipped his head back and laughed. “That should put any prospective killer on notice.”
“I should think so.” Picking up the menu, Evie wondered about the local constabulary. Not that she would have cause to liaise with the police whilst on vacation. She hummed under her breath and raised the menu slightly to hide her smile.
Glancing at Evie, Tom said, “I can see you smiling but I can’t quite figure out what you find amusing.”
“Oh, nothing.”
A waiter, sporting a thin moustache and dressed in a white jacket and black trousers, stood by ready to take their orders.
“I feel we should celebrate our vacation with a decadent glass of champagne but I fear I might fall asleep.” She settled for tea and sandwiches and smiled as Tom ordered extra roast beef sandwiches.
“You always take a nibble of your favorite cucumber sandwiches,” he said, “and then devour all the roast beef ones.”
Smiling, Evie turned her attention to the view of the sea. “I suppose we should take note of everything we see. Henrietta will want a full report. Oh, look. I think that’s Caro and Edmonds emerging from the Pavilion. Now she is heading back in… She must really like it. We might have to see what all the fuss is about.”
“It’s a promenade deck. What’s there to see?”
“She seemed to be quite happy to see people… being happy. Now I’m thinking she would be beside herself with happiness if she crossed the Atlantic. During the last voyage over here, I noticed people were forever saying they were off to take a promenade around the ship. I hope she’s collecting plenty of stories. She could be our source of information.”
“Is this about Henrietta questioning your decision to come to Worthing?”
“I believe she has made me determined to appreciate the waves rolling in. And, who knows, we might see something of real interest. We should go for a drive around the area or venture out to the nearby villages.” Lowering her voice, she asked, “Are the hotel guests any happier?”
After a moment, Tom said, “They have been served their tea but I don’t see them conversing. I’d hate to say it but they might have had a spat.”
“That would be in poor taste. Think of the sour memories they will take home with them.” Brightening, Evie said, “What do you think you can tell me about them?”
“Is this a game?” Tom asked.
It could be, Evie thought. “They’re staying at the same hotel so we are bound to cross paths. Eventually, we’ll learn everything there is to know about them. I think it would be fun to try to guess something about them now.”
Shifting slightly, Tom studied them. “They’re not newlyweds. That’s my first observation.”
“I’m inclined to agree with you.” Evie stole a glance and, noticing the woman’s smile did not reach her eyes, she decided to revise her first impression of her. She actually looked quite unhappy. “If they are newlyweds, it’s quite possible she married against her wishes or vice versa. Or… now that they are married, he has told her the truth about his fortune. Alas, there isn’t one so they will have to live off her inheritance.”
Tom took a moment to think about it. “I’m going to have to disagree. She doesn’t look that unhappy. If he had lied about his fortune, I believe she would be back in the hotel packing her suitcases.”
“You are easily fooled, Mr. Winchester. I suggest you take a closer look at her eyes. They’re not sparkling.”
“Do you think she is pretending to be happy?” Tom asked.
“Yes. And that is not so unusual. I’ve been known to put up a brave front.” Evie smiled at the waiter as he set their tea on the table. Changing the subject, she said, “Tom, I’m going to need your assistance. I don’t wish to spoil Caro’s time here so you will have to help me enjoy myself. She said you had some activities planned…”
“Well, there’s the pier.”
Evie took a sip of her tea. They were booked into the hotel for a week. Just how many times could they enjoy a promenade along the pier?
“There are some interesting Stone Age flint mines in the area,” Tom continued. “The most significant site is called the Cissbury Ring.” Tom tipped his head back in thought. “Augustus Lane-Fox excavated part of it back in 1867…”
“Tom.”
“Yes?”
“Can you think of something other than the pier and a flint mine?”
“We should visit the Worthing Museum, as well as the library. Andrew Carnegie funded the library.”
Evie perked up. “Oh, there is a library!”
Helping himself to some tea, Tom mused, “I’m not quite sure how to interpret your enthusiasm.”
Sighing, Evie said, “I suppose I might be missing the comforts of home. Ever since settling at Halton House, I have been meaning to breathe easy and relax. I know the need is contrary to what everyone else is doing.” It had been nearly
two years since the Great War had ended and everyone seemed to be intent on enjoying as much of life as they could. In all honesty, Evie had never thought she would become the type of person who enjoyed spending afternoons curled up in the library with a book…
Then again… Lately, the library had become quite resourceful, providing them with relevant information to assist the police with a couple of incidents.
Suddenly, she understood Tom’s amusement at her interest in the local library.
Evie perked up. “Oh, another couple just came in and I think I recognize them from the hotel.”
“A timely arrival,” Tom mused, “providing you with an excuse to change the subject.”
“Not really since we can now continue our game.”
Tom took a discreet peek at the new arrivals. “He’s a banker. Mr. Hector Addington and that is his wife, Mrs. Addington.”
“I take it you have met them.”
“No, I overheard a conservation.”
“While you were pacing or brooding?” Evie asked.
“I can’t be sure. I only remember hearing them say they were making their way to a restaurant for luncheon.” The edge of his lip kicked up. “Oh, look. She is wearing a hat just like yours.”
Evie made sure to sound offended when she said, “It is nothing like mine. Those are plums, I’m sure.” Evie studied Mrs. Addington. “She looks extremely pleased with herself and he looks quite proud to have her by his side.”
“Newlyweds?” Tom asked.
“Yes. They appear to only have eyes for each other.” Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, Evie continued watching them as they settled down at their table. “She is almost bouncing in her chair. I doubt I have ever seen eyes shining so brightly.” Or cheeks so flushed with excitement, Evie thought. Although, the woman might have been a little heavy-handed with the rouge… “That is a look of triumph.”
“Over what?” Tom asked.
Giving a small shrug, Evie said, “Perhaps his family did not approve of her and she managed to change their minds or maybe he went ahead and married her without their approval.”
“Are men in high society likely to do that?”
“It would take a special type of man,” Evie said, “one brave enough to go against family expectations and everything that is socially acceptable.”
“And you think a banker would possess such a rebellious character trait?”
“Perhaps not. Are you sure he’s a banker? The only ones I have ever encountered have been rather stuffy, disapproving and gray haired.” Nibbling on a sandwich, Evie wondered if Mr. Addington might have been forced into banking by his family. “Now I think she looks far too happy.”
Tom’s eyebrows rose a notch. “Is there something wrong with that?”
Evie tried to formulate a response that wouldn’t come across as snobbish. “These might be modern times, but certain modes of behavior continue to be highly regarded as the acceptable standard.”
Now Tom looked confused. “What exactly does that mean?”
“Well, there is being happy and then there is being ostentatiously happy.”
“One is good and the other isn’t?” he asked, “I had no idea happiness could only be expressed by measured degrees. So how would you describe Mrs. Addington’s state of happiness?”
“Oh, I’m not the one doing the measuring or censorship.”
“I see. This is one of those unwritten social rules.”
Evie gave a small nod of agreement.
“And you don’t want to spell it out for me. Fine. I’ll take a guess and say it’s something to do with taste. Perhaps a fine line drawn between boorish behavior and graceful conduct whilst in public.”
Evie grinned. “Henrietta would be proud of you.”
“So, what does that tell us about Mrs. Addington?”
The young woman hadn’t quite learned the rules of behavior in polite society, Evie thought.
“That the person she is pretending to be does not come naturally to her. It reminds me of poor Mrs. Hemsworth. She was actually quite wealthy but she hailed from the Midwest and, when she arrived in Newport, she pretended to be from Boston. Everyone could tell straightaway. Ordinarily, she would have been snubbed by the society matrons but she had this quaint giggle everyone admired so they tolerated everything else about her. Also, she donated a great deal of money to the local library.”
“Why would she pretend to be someone she is not?” Tom asked.
“She might hail from what we refer to as the wrong side of the tracks. For all we know, she might be a chorus girl.”
“And that’s why his family would have disapproved of her?”
“Precisely. Clearly, he is a man in love, willing to turn his back on his family for the sake of the woman who has captured his heart.” Evie took a pensive sip of her tea. “Being in banking, he must be well versed in calculated risks. I daresay, he knows where he stands with his family. He is probably the one everyone admires and so, he most likely knew they would eventually bend to his will.” Evie straightened. “He is also the youngest of two or three children.”
Tom didn’t hide his surprise. “How did you come to that conclusion?”
“Something I read somewhere about the first-born son being conservative, while the younger child is the one everyone dotes on and can get away with quite a lot.”
Tom smiled, “Well, Countess? How do you feel about your vacation now? Do you still think it will be a dull affair?”
Evie smiled. Tom had come a long way from calling her ma’am to using her title as a form of… Well, to Evie it almost sounded like an endearment.
“Perhaps it won’t be so dull after all.” Even if it involved creating their own entertainment.
Half an hour later, Evie sighed. “I suppose we should now tackle the pier.”
Chapter 3
“Shall we continue our little guessing game while we enjoy our promenade along the pier?” Tom asked.
Looking up to make sure the coast was clear of seagulls, Evie said, “That might be asking for trouble but I am willing to risk it.” She drew in a deep breath and thought there was definitely something to be said for a refreshing seaside breeze. Her mind felt clear and she could sense a lightness to her step.
Tom pointed to a gentleman gazing out to sea. “He is far from home and dwelling on memories that are fast fading.”
“Oh, that sounds so sad,” Evie exclaimed. “I’m going to say he is rather pleased with himself. He never thought he would get away with his crime, but it has been years and, so far, the police have not caught up with him.”
Tom mused, “I believe you are fixating on the criminal mind.”
Hadn’t that been the whole point to their little game? “I don’t see Caro anywhere on the pier. She and Edmonds must have moved on to afternoon tea.”
Chuckling, Tom said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if she then insists on taking another stroll along the pier.”
What did Caro find so intriguing here? “Did she mention seeing boats or fish? Maybe she saw someone fall into the water…”
Tom didn’t hold back his laughter. “You would settle for nothing short of someone drowning to make any time spent on the pier interesting? Should we be concerned about your state of mind?”
“Are you afraid I am exhibiting a morbid interest in killers?”
He thought about it for a moment. “You might be struggling to find a middle ground between utter boredom and the thrill of the chase.”
Quite possibly, Evie thought. In which case, she should try to nip this growing obsession in the bud before it became a real concern.
Tom pointed to a couple standing at the end of the pier. “What do you think of that couple? I’ll take the first stab and say they appear to be up to no good.”
Evie studied them for a moment. Whenever someone drew close to them, they moved slightly away, almost as if they wished to maintain their privacy. “I should like to prove you wrong and say they are talking about the
ir exciting plans for their upcoming trip to France. However, there is no point in denying how much more interesting it is to think they are vacationing with his great aunt who has been declaring she is at death’s door for some time now. She is the type to bemoan the fact she has reached the end and will soon be departing this mortal coil. Meanwhile, he is eager to get his hands on the inheritance she has promised him but there appears to be no end in sight. He has now decided to expedite matters. His wife agrees. This is the fifth year they have had to vacation here because it is his great aunt’s favorite spot. The wife would much rather relax in the Riviera. How do you think they will do away with her?”
“A pillow over her face while she sleeps,” Tom suggested.
“That will make them the prime suspects. Remember, he is the sole heir.”
He nodded in agreement. “They are cunning and desperate enough to bribe one of the maids to assist them, paying her a small fortune to kill his great aunt while they are out and about breathing the fresh sea air at the pier.”
Evie tilted her head from side to side. “Yes, that’s possible. The maid would have to be facing some sort of dire situation and be in desperate need of money. She’d also have to be brutally cold-blooded. If she is caught, her miserable past will come to light.”
“We might be giving them too much credit,” Tom said. “For all we know, they lack creativity and might resolve to push his great aunt down the stairs as they are making their way to dinner.”
“People have been known to survive falls,” Evie mused. “Remember, she has lasted the distance. That means, she might have the constitution of an ox.” Evie twirled her parasol. “If Caro asks, could we tell her we discussed cloud formations? I wouldn’t want her to know we have been delving into the evil machinations of greedy people.”
“Clouds.” Tom pushed back his hat and looked up at the sky. “Many artists have been captivated enough to paint pictures of them. But are they any different to the clouds we see in Berkshire?”
A couple stopped near them and exclaimed with excitement as they pointed out to sea.
“Perhaps we can tell her we played a game of spot the hats. I have now lost count of the number of ladies wearing straw hats adorned with a variety of fruits.”