Mrs. Jeffries & the Yuletide Weddings Read Online Free PDF Page B

and I sort this mess out.”
    Rosemary opened her mouth as if she wanted to disagree, but then thought better of it and said nothing.
    Witherspoon tried again. “As I said, ma’am, we must ask you and your staff some questions. Apparently, the victim was connected to your household in some fashion. Now I’d like Mr. Evans to go with Constable Barnes into another room so we can take his statement. If the two of you wouldn’t mind excusing yourselves, I’ll stay here and speak with Miss Evans. If everyone cooperates, we’ll be able to get this matter sorted out as quickly as possible.”
    Arabella Evans’ mouth gaped slightly in surprise. “I’ll remind you, Inspector, to be careful giving orders. You’re in my home.”
    “We are aware of that, madam, and I didn’t mean to sound disrespectful, but a murder has been committed less than fifty feet from your front door,” Witherspoon replied. “Naturally, we don’t want to inconvenience you more than necessary so the sooner we get our questions answered, the sooner we’ll be gone.”
    The tall blond fellow, who the inspector thought must be the “Sir Madison” the butler had mentioned earlier, thrust himself in front of Rosemary. “I’d like to be present when you speak to my fiancée. She’s very upset.”
    Rosemary glared at his back and shoved past him. “Of course I’m upset. Someone I once loved a great deal is lying outside with a knife in her chest.”
    “What is your name, sir?” Witherspoon asked.
    “Sir Madison Lowery,” Arabella answered for him. She emphasized the “sir” as she spoke.
    “Miss Evans and I are to be married soon.” He smiled modestly, revealing a row of even, white teeth. “Surely your questions can wait until tomorrow? Can’t you see my fiancée is very distressed?”
    “Murder is a distressing business,” Witherspoon responded politely. “Especially for the victim. But in the interests of justice, it’s very important that we take witness statements as close to the time of the crime as possible.”
    “But we’re not witnesses. We had nothing to do with her being killed,” Jeremy Evans protested. He’d moved to stand next to his wife.
    “Nonetheless, we’re obliged to ask our questions.”
    Evans sighed irritably and then walked to the door. He rang the bellpull. Almost immediately, the butler entered. “Yes sir?”
    “Bring up a bottle of brandy and some glasses. Take it into my study,” he ordered. As soon as the servant disappeared, he turned to his wife. “Arabella, you and Madison wait in the study. I think a drink of brandy will help to calm everyone’s nerves.”
    She stared at him for a moment and then shrugged. “As you wish.”
    Lowery hurried over and offered her his arm. “Come along, my dear lady. Your husband has the right idea. A glass of his excellent French brandy will do both of us a world of good.”
    When they’d gone, Evans motioned for Barnes to follow him. He crossed the room to a door on the left of the fireplace. “We’ll go into the library. It’s just through here.”
    It took a few moments for everyone to go to their respective spots, so the inspector used the time to study his surroundings. This was a rich man’s home.
    The huge drawing room was opulently furnished with walls papered in pale gold silk and patterned in an elaborate fleur-de-lis design. Two couches upholstered in gold and burgundy striped satin faced each other in the center of the room, flanked by carved side chairs of gold velvet. Love seats, corner chairs, and tables covered with fringed shawls and lace runners filled the rest of the enormous space. A fireplace with a carved ebony mantel and plated by pink marble was on the other side of the room. A gilt-framed portrait of Arabella Evans hung above the mantelpiece.
    “Please sit down, Inspector.” Rosemary Evans gestured at one of the gold and burgundy couches. He nodded his thanks, waited till she’d settled on the one opposite him, and then took