03 - Murder at Sedgwick Court Read Free

days with Cedric at Sedgwick, not
least because Lavinia was unlikely to be pleased by Rose’s presence at her
family home. If nothing else it was an indication that the fledgling romance that
had begun between Cedric and Rose at Ashgrove had developed further in her
absence. Oh well, thought Rose, she has only herself to blame for that.
    ‘Lavinia!’
Cedric’s sudden exclamation recalled her from her musings and she looked up to
see a figure in the distance making its way quickly towards them through the
formal gardens and across the parkland. It was engulfed in a fine great wool
coat edged in silver fox fur at cuffs and neck and complemented by a fur hat
that hid the figure’s face so completely that anyone at this distance, except
for Cedric, would have been uncertain as to the figure’s identity. For one
second, although she knew that she was being unfair to Cedric, given the look
of delight that had lit up his face, Rose prayed that it was not Lavinia, that
the servants had been mistaken.
    While she
was thinking these uncharitable thoughts, Cedric had leapt forward as if to make
his way towards the figure. Rose meanwhile remained where she was looking on,
reluctant to intrude on the family reunion. But before she knew it, Lavinia was
upon them, standing a few feet from her, embracing Cedric warmly, her shrill,
infectious laughter carrying on the winter’s air. Peeping under her fur hat was
the same platinum dyed hair that Rose remembered so well. She was equally sure
that under the great coat Lavinia would have the same willowy figure.
Immediately Rose felt herself fade into the background, her own looks
overshadowed by her erstwhile friend’s.
    As if
suddenly aware of Rose’s presence, Lavinia looked up and caught her eye. Rose
took in her even, delicate, aristocratic beauty, so very different to her own
plain looks. Lavinia had always had a tendency to look aloof. Now she looked
something else too. Annoyed, Rose was sure of it, although the look of
annoyance, if that was what it was, crossed her face only momentarily, hastily
replaced by a look of superficial pleasure.
    But Rose had
not been fooled. Lavinia did not want her there. And something else, she was
sure of it; her being there had upset Lavinia’s plans.

Chapter Two
    ‘Oh,
Ceddie, I’ve missed you terribly,’ exclaimed Lavinia, disentangling herself
from her brother’s embrace. ‘I can’t tell you how good it feels to be back here
at Sedgwick, darling Sedgwick. I had a ball on the Continent, an absolute ball,
but it’s so good to be home, I can’t tell you.’
    ‘I say,
Lavinia, you do look awfully well. But why ever didn’t you write to say you’d
be coming home, or send a telegram or something?’ asked Cedric, holding her by
the shoulders a little away from him so that he could take in her appearance. ‘You
could have telephoned.’
    ‘Really,
Ceddie, must you go on and on about it?’ Lavinia laughed. ‘If you must know, I
only decided at the very last minute to come home. I had a sudden longing for
Sedgwick and to see you too, of course. And then I thought what an awfully
wonderful surprise it would be for you, me being home in time for Christmas.’
    Lavinia
looked up and feigned surprise as if she had only just become aware of Rose’s
existence. Rose meanwhile stood hovering awkwardly in the background.
    ‘Why,
Rose darling,’ Lavinia said, ‘I didn’t see you there hiding in the shadows. This
is a surprise,’ she paused deliberately before adding: ‘A wonderful one, of
course.’
    Cedric
beamed, looked at Rose and grinned, his eyes shining. How easily he was taken
in by his sister, Rose thought, and she felt a sudden stab of tenderness
towards him. It wasn’t that he was naïve or simply couldn’t see Lavinia for
what she was. Rose knew he just desperately wanted Lavinia to accept their
relationship, which had developed in her prolonged absence.
    ‘Hello
Lavinia.’ Rose said the words as warmly as she could muster,