Devil's Food Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 10 (Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page A

bed.
    The maid came in bearing a tray with a bowl of soup, a basket of bread, and a pitcher of iced tea. “Oh, darlin, ya look like you’ve been through somethin, alright,” the sweet woman clucked, shaking her head and setting the heavy silver tray on the nightstand. “We need to get some food and drink in ya, dear. You’ll feel better in no time,” she asserted. Looking around as though to make certain that no one could hear her, Maggie leaned in and said in a low voice, “And if ya need somethin’ a lil stronger than that tea, I can help ya with that as well.”
    Missy smiled wanly at the woman’s kindness, thanking her. The homemade soup was delicious and actually did make her feel a bit better. She dunked chunks of freshly baked bread in the broth and nibbled at them, quieting the gurgles in her tummy. Maggie bustled about the room, opening the curtains to let in the sun, and humming to herself while she tidied up.
    “You know, lil Missy, there’s folks in the kitchen who saw some things that might help ya out with yer dilemma,” she offered casually, taking the empty soup bowl and placing it on the tray.
    Missy’s ears perked up and she sat up straighter, leaning against the tufted head board. “What do you mean, Maggie?” she asked, eyes wide.
    “Well, lass, ya dinna hear it from me, but there’s folks saying that the deceased had quite the spat with his missus before the festivities, on account of Mr. Charles Beckett,” she raised her eyebrows pointedly before resuming dusting the window sills.
    “Amanda and Giles fought about Chas before the party? But why on earth would that happen? He hasn’t been back here in a very long time,” Missy pointed out.
    “Ohhhh…lass,” the maid shook her head, seeming to pity the fragile-looking woman in front of her. “You don’t know?”
    “Don’t know what?” Missy asked, baffled.
    The woman sighed, clasping her hands together in front of her and leaning in confidentially. “Mr. Charles…he was supposed to marry that fiery woman,” she grimaced in disapproval.
    Missy’s heart plummeted to her stomach. “Chas and Amanda were engaged?” she whispered, the color draining from her face.
    “Not formally,” the maid explained in a hushed voice. “It was more of an understandin’ between the two families. Lotsa money between those two families, dear,” she nodded sadly.
    “I see,” Missy murmured, destroyed.
    “But, don’t you fret none, lass,” Maggie reassured her. “I know the look that Mr. Charles gets when he looks at you, and he ain’t never had that look for that evil woman.” She collected the remains of Missy’s lunch on the tray, placed a glass of iced tea on a coaster beside the bed, and left the room quietly, sensing the distress of its occupant. “You let me know if ya need anythin’ at all, lass,” she instructed with compassion, closing the door behind her.

Chapter 10
    Missy had dressed for dinner, which tended to be a dressy affair in the Beckett household, and sat beside Chas, saying little.
    “You okay?” he asked, taking her hand.
    She left her hand in his grasp, but didn’t respond to his touch. “Fine, thanks,” she replied quietly, reaching for her water goblet.
    It looked as though Chas was going to pursue the matter further, but was prevented from doing so by the timely arrival of Reginald, who greeted Missy with a kiss on the hand before taking a seat across the table from the couple.
    “Is your father going to be joining us?” Missy asked, making conversation.
    “No, Pops headed back up to the funny farm this morning,” Reggie grinned wickedly.
    “Not funny,” Chas responded, sipping his wine.
    “Oh lighten up, Chas. Why do you always have to be such a stiff? I was just joking, trying to lighten the mood. This place has been like a morgue since Giles bit it,” he complained as Missy stared at him, not knowing what to think.
    “What about you, southern belle? Has my big brother put this murder