Death by the Book Read Online Free PDF

it.”
    “I’ll take it myself.” She narrowed her eyes. “Just to make sure.”
    “Certainly, ma’am. I’ll have the car brought round for you.”
    She made a grudging little huff of acknowledgment. Then, seeing Anna had made a wary appearance, she began settling herself and her belongings into the cottage.
    While Aunt Ruth was ordering Anna and Nick around, Madeline moved closer to Drew and lowered her voice. “It’s very nice of you, you know. Putting up with all this.”
    “I’m a nice fellow. And as irrefutable proof, I brought you this, hot off the presses.” He took a little book from his coat pocket and presented it to her. “Haven’t even cracked the cover.”
    “Oh, Drew! It’s the new Lord Peter.”
    “And Harriet Vane, as well.”
    Hugging the book to her chest, she leaned up and swiftly kissed his cheek. “And after I stole the last one from you.”
    “I told you I was a nice fellow.”
    “It might not do you any good, you know.”
    He smiled the warm, lazy smile she loved. “They say trials build character, so there’s that at least.”
    “Madeline!” Aunt Ruth stood in the doorway, hands on hips. “Come and see that all your things are put where you want them. Then you’ll be going to the village with me too, so say your goodbyes.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Madeline sighed, and Drew squeezed her hand.
    “Courage, darling. You’ve got Lord Peter to help you along for now.” He raised his voice for her aunt to hear, “We would be delighted to have you to dinner this evening, Miss Jansen.”
    Aunt Ruth acknowledged the invitation and dismissed him with the same curt nod, and Madeline could only watch as he walked the path back toward the house. But before he disappeared, he turned and gave her that smile once more. It helped tremendously.

Three
    T o say that Drew’s first dinner with the formidable Aunt Ruth was uncomfortable would be a rather mild assessment, but he gave thanks that it was little more than that. Between him and Nick and Madeline, they managed to keep the conversation pleasant, directed away from those subjects most likely to cause contention. So the topics of shifty-eyed foreigners, slick talkers, and morally bankrupt scoundrels being strictly off-limits, they were left to discuss the weather and Aunt Ruth’s difficult and dangerous first-class passage across the Atlantic via luxury liner. Drew found himself only occasionally wondering about who had murdered Quinton Montford, and each time he banished those thoughts, they became less and less insistent. After all, he wasn’t the police.
    After three days, Aunt Ruth still managed to be only a little more than civil to Drew, but civility was an improvement nonetheless. Still, it was a bit wearing to feel like an intruder in one’s own home, and Drew decided an afternoon of golf would be a welcome change.
    Nick and Bunny hadn’t arrived at the club by the time he got there. Roger’s car was parked outside, but Drew hadn’t yet seen the man himself. He decided to go ahead and change his clothes. He was early for their tee time after all. Perhaps a few practice shots wouldn’t come amiss.
    Just as he got out of the Rolls, one of the caddies hurried up to him.
    “Mr. Farthering, sir?”
    “Yes?”
    “A man asked me to give you this.”
    Drew tossed the boy a half crown.
    Would appreciate you joining me on the first green.
    The words were scrawled across the back of the card the boy had handed him. On the front, along with the official seal, it said J . T. BIRDSONG, Chief Inspector, Hampshire Constabulary.
    Drew walked through the clubhouse. There seemed to be a lot of people standing about the club in little groups, talking in low voices and glancing toward the course.
    “Good morning, young Farthering!”
    Drew turned to see Mr. Llewellyn from the village among the onlookers.
    “Good morning, sir. I didn’t know you played here.”
    “Don’t play at all,” he said, chuckling. “But I do ride my bicycle