Murder at the Spring Ball: A 1920s Mystery by Benedict Brown (simple ebook reader txt) 📕

to inherit this place. But you went from being obscenely wealthy to only filthy rich and that doesn’t excuse your contemptible actions.”

“I was humiliated!” A single tear appeared in the corner of Clementine’s right eye. “Thrown off the estate that should have passed to my child. Out of sight and out of mind, we were abandoned by your family to rot. You treat your darned dog better than that, so I did what I had to for the sake of my granddaughter.”

Cora stifled her sobs and delivered a stinging rebuke. “No, you didn’t! You murdered three people and poisoned the man I love for your own petty jealousies.” She brushed her short fringe from her face to fix her once beloved grandmother with a reproachful stare. “I hope that the pain you caused reflects back upon you for the rest of your days.”

With this bitter proclamation, the room came to life. Grandfather collapsed back into his seat, Inspector Blunt called to his constables and my mother and father embraced, the relief palpable as it flowed between them.

When the officers clapped my murderous great-aunt in handcuffs and escorted her from the room, there was no joy to be found in her fate. A great evil had befallen my family, which no punishment could make up for.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

I was quite honestly overwhelmed by everything that I’d seen. I sat right where I was as my companions cried and commiserated. Blunt did not thank us for what we had discovered, or apologise to my parents for arresting the wrong suspect. Instead, he made a begrudging nod of recognition in my Grandfather’s direction before following his subordinates from the room.

Horatio Adelaide was the next to leave. Looking as though he still had his doubts, he approached the old man and said, “Lord Edgington, I very much enjoyed the evening and have a feeling we’ll cross paths again before long.”

My grandfather could not find it in himself to reply but bowed his head solemnly and the enigmatic character made his way out, followed by my cousin George.

“Must run, Grandfather,” he said with a confident smile. “I’m eager to discuss a business arrangement with old Adelaide, but I’ve had a wonderful time.” He delivered the remark with all his usual flippant charm, then frowned for a moment before sidling off.

Fellowes thanked the old man several times for all he had done. Cora, her makeup a runny mess, embraced her great-uncle and apologised keenly for her grandmother’s actions. And then it was my parents’ turn.

“I don’t know what to say, Daddy,” Mother began.

“I do.” My father had regained his usual quiet authority and his clothes even looked a little smarter somehow. “You saved me. Ten hours in a police cell was enough to last a lifetime. Thank you so much for getting me out.”

“We’ll be here until tomorrow morning if there’s anything you need.” Mother’s voice wavered and she hastily bustled her husband from the room before her tears could break loose.

I enjoyed a moment of silence but then my father rushed back inside and I thought he might actually hug me. I needn’t have worried.

“Chrissy,” he said and I could tell how difficult it had been for him to get this much out. “I should thank you too. I know you didn’t catch the killer but you gave it a heck of a good try and…” Such enthusiasm did not come naturally to him. He cleared his throat and concluded his appraisal with an outstretched hand and a few final words. “And, well… I’m really rather proud of you.”

I was practically speechless by this point and couldn’t do much more than accept the offer and shake his hand. He patted me on the shoulder and ran off after Mother with some of his energy restored.

My grandfather and I were finally alone and the atmosphere in the room changed once more. He hadn’t said anything since he concluded his testimony and now sat staring at the sparkling crystal droplets which hung from the chandelier.

I wanted to say something to make him feel better, but I knew there were no words that could repair the damage that had been done. I watched as he pursed his lips together and breathed in deeply, his prodigious moustache moving a fraction as the air whistled past it.

I realised something then that had taken me far too long. My grandfather had been so focussed on the investigation that he hadn’t let his emotion for the loss of his children cloud his judgement. Now that it was over, every imaginable feeling came rushing at him. Anguish and misery, pain and relief bombarded him and, sitting just a few chairs away, I felt it too.

He folded his arms on the table in front of him and rested his head there. I thought about putting my arm around him or thanking him for all he had taught me, but I knew this was something for which he needed no assistant. Softly pulling back from the table, I made my way from the room and went to tell the staff not to disturb him.

I’d already missed a day of school after the bank holiday and decided one more wouldn’t hurt. I slept in the next morning and, once I’d said farewell to my parents, spent the afternoon in the sunny gardens, throwing a ball to Delilah and looking out for woodpeckers. I didn’t dare visit my grandfather, though there were a million things I wanted to ask him as I wiled away the time, dreaming of the summer holidays and coming up with a list of adventures we could have.

I had my supper in the kitchen. Cook and Alice seemed most impressed that I’d helped to catch the killer, and everyone speculated over what Fellowes might do now that his illicit love affair was common knowledge. Todd offered to drive me back to school the following morning and it was with a mix of sadness and excitement that I accepted.

Alone in my room that night, I