Death Below Stairs Read online

  But she would not be dissuaded—I had tried to reason with her before. The look also meant I should see that the scullery door was kept unlocked for her and that her activities remained a secret from her aunt and uncle. They were amiable people but uncomfortable with Cynthia’s wild streak.

  Cynthia’s mother and father—especially her father—had been wild in their day as well. Still were, from all accounts, though Cynthia’s mother had become a near recluse after Cynthia’s brother had shot himself years ago.

  Mr. Bywater, Cynthia’s uncle, seemed to have inherited everything staid in the family. He believed Cynthia should find a husband who would settle her down—his idea was that having a child or two would calm her even more. Mr. Bywater enjoyed inviting eligible young men to the house, hoping Cynthia would fall madly in love with one of them and accept his inevitable proposal.

  Hence the supper party tonight, and Cynthia’s rebellion of the moment.

  I promised to aid in her deception, as usual, and we parted ways.

  • • •

  Cynthia returned safely to the house in the wee hours and crept off to bed. Or so Sara assured me in the morning. I fixed a full breakfast for the household, then put aside enough food for a luncheon for the staff and family. I would be back in time to make supper.

  As I prepared the repast I’d leave behind, Mr. Davis, as usual, found the time to sit in his shirtsleeves at my table and read things out of the newspaper.

  Today it was the French foray into the lands of the Bey of Tunis, because tribesmen there had been crossing into Algeria, a French colony, and pillaging as they saw fit. He was reading along through the details when on a sudden, he paused and looked up.

  “By the bye, I saw that chap who worked here a few months ago—what was his name? Daniel—that was it. Daniel McAdam. In a pawnbrokers on the Strand, of all places. Looking as though he’s running the place.”

  Photo by Silvio Portrait Design

  Jennifer Ashley is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Below Stairs Mysteries; the Shifters Unbound paranormal romances, including Red Wolf and Guardian’s Mate; and the Mackenzies historical romances, including The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie and The Stolen Mackenzie Bride. Winner of a Romance Writers of America RITA Award, she also writes as USA Today bestselling mystery author Ashley Gardner. She lives in the Southwest with her husband and cats, and spends most of her time in the wonderful worlds of her stories.

  Find out more about the Below Stairs Mysteries at katholloway.com, and visit Jennifer on facebook.com/jenniferashleyallysonjamesashleygardner and twitter.com/JennAllyson.

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