Murder at Renard's (Rose Simpson Mysteries Book 4) Read Free Page A

it isn’t that important that she comes for a final fitting. Monsieur Girard has all her measurements and, from what I’ve seen, the gowns fit delightfully. But understandably Madame Renard is rather anxious. You see, it’s the first time that she – ’
    ‘I very much doubt that Lady Lavinia will be well enough to attend tomorrow’s event, miss,’ Torridge said gravely.  
    ‘What? But that’s impossible!’ exclaimed Rose. ‘Mayn’t I speak to Lady Lavinia? Only for a few minutes? I won’t keep her out of bed for long, I promise.’
    ‘I am afraid that is quite out of the question, miss. Lady Lavinia was most particular that she not be disturbed on any account.’
    ‘Oh.’
    For a moment Rose was at a complete loss. With a dreadful sinking feeling forming in the pit of her stomach she began to wonder if Lavinia might be having second thoughts about coming to Madame Renard’s grand event. Perhaps the prospect of returning to the shop where she had once worked, or playing the part of a mannequin, had been too much for Lavinia. It was possible that it had all suddenly made her feel nervous, although it seemed unlikely given that Lavinia had a fondness for being looked at and admired. Rose felt that if only she could speak to the girl herself instead of going through the formidable Torridge, then she might ascertain what precisely was wrong.
    ‘Of course, her ladyship appreciates the predicament in which she has placed Madame Renard,’ Torridge was saying. ‘She has arranged for another young lady to model the gowns in her absence.’
    ‘Oh, has she?’ Rose said. ‘And when exactly did she intend to let us know?’ she added with feeling. ‘On the day of the event itself?’
    Her words were met with a frosty silence followed by a discreet cough by Torridge at such impertinence.
    ‘Which young lady, Torridge?’ Rose asked more sweetly in an attempt to appease the old man.
    ‘Lady Celia Goswell, miss, second daughter of the Marquis of Perriford.’
    ‘Oh, I see.’ Rose pondered for a moment wondering how she might best go about enquiring whether Lady Celia resembled Lavinia in physique.
    As if he could read her thoughts, the butler said: ‘Her ladyship asked me to inform you that Lady Celia will be calling at Madame Renard’s shop early tomorrow morning to ascertain what will be expected of her at the fashion occasion and for any alterations to be made to the outfits as required.’
    ‘I see. Very good, Torridge,’ said Rose, quite resolved to end the conversation, full in the belief that she had gleaned as much as she was going to obtain from the discreet old butler. How she wished that it was Manning, the young man being trained up to replace Torridge, who was on the other end of the telephone. She remembered that the under-butler had a tendency to be more forthcoming and certainly more approachable than his superior. She was just about to hang up the receiver when a sudden thought occurred to her.
    ‘I say, Torridge, Lord Belvedere hasn’t by any chance returned to Sedgwick, has he? I know he isn’t expected back until tomorrow but – ’
    ‘His lordship returned an hour ago, miss.’
    ‘Did he indeed?’ exclaimed Rose. ‘Oh, but that’s delightful. Would you ask him to come to the telephone please, Torridge? I should like to speak with him.’
    ‘But, Miss Simpson –’
    ‘I’m afraid I must insist, Torridge’ said Rose, feeling herself on surer ground. ‘You know full well he will want to speak with me.’
    ‘Very well, miss, if you say so …’
    Rose heard the old butler tottering off, tut-tutting as he went. She was under no illusions that he approved of her or her relationship with his master. She sighed. How awkward everything would be when finally ... No, she wouldn’t think about that now. She had more immediate and pressing things to attend to at this moment. What was Lavinia playing at? And why did she have to be so awfully mysterious?
    It seemed to Rose she had been