The Sign of Death by Callie Hutton (children's books read aloud .TXT) 📗

Amy smiled, not able to help imagining Aunt Margaret, who was not overly fond of little ones, in such a predicament. “That is why you left?”

“Oh no. That was just the beginning. I can’t even remember all the tricks they played on me.”

“You were only there for a couple of days! How many children does Mary have?”

She waved her hand. “Too many.” She sighed. “The last time I counted, I think there were four of them. Although there is a possibility that a couple of them were hiding.”

“So you took your leave?”

“Yes.” She grinned. “But not before I played my own trick on the devils.”

“Oh, good lord, Aunt, what did you do? I don’t like the look in your eyes.”

“Well, let’s see. Each morning they must be fully dressed before they go to the nursery for their breakfast. I helped with that by removing the tie strings from all their shoes. Then I might have put some lard on their doorknob to make it a bit difficult to open the bedroom door. And when the little dears pour honey on their porridge, they will soon learn that the honey jar might be part honey and part castor oil.”

“Aunt Margaret, you didn’t!”

She sighed. “Not the last one, although I had planned to do that. I really didn’t want to hurt them; just a bit of payback. They really are lovely children, but there are far too many of them, and I’d had enough to cut my visit short.”

Aunt Margaret leaned back and seemed to notice for the first time that Amy was dressed to go out. “Oh, it’s Thursday, isn’t it? Book club meeting night.”

“Yes. I am waiting for William to arrive.” Amy grinned. “By the way, Lady Wethington has taken up residence at William’s house.”

Aunt Margaret smiled. “Is that good news or bad news?”

“Both, apparently. She is a lovely woman, but her foot is planted firmly on William’s back. Pushing him toward the altar has become her goal in life.”

“Oh dear. How does William feel about that? I have always seen him as a confirmed bachelor. Although I guess with his title, he will have to marry one day.”

“He is feeling quite nervous, actually.” Amy laughed.

Her aunt waved her finger at her. “Don’t laugh, niece. I’m sure Lady Wethington will soon have her eye on you.”

Amy sighed. “I’m afraid she already does. I just happened to be at his home for tea when she arrived Monday afternoon.”

Amy did not appreciate how her aunt threw her head back and roared with laughter.

“Now she wants to go to our book club meeting. That’s why I’m waiting for William to escort me. I think he’s afraid his mother will take one look at all the ladies in the club and begin to drool.”

Aunt Margaret turned serious and took her hand. “Actually, Amy, I think William fancies you. If I can see it, I’m sure Lady Wethington does.”

Amy hopped up, not ready to have that conversation. “I think William has arrived.” She hurried to the entrance hall and shrugged into her coat. The door knocker sounded, and Stevens opened the door.

“I’m ready.” She stepped out of the house and moved swiftly down the steps.

“What’s your hurry? It’s like you’re running from something.”

“Yes. That is precisely how I feel. Like I’m running from something. An idea, actually.” She climbed into the carriage and settled next to Lady Wethington. “Good evening, my lady. It is a pleasure to see you again.”

Lady Wethington smiled at her. “So nice to see you as well, Lady Amy. I am so looking forward to tonight’s entertainment.”

William took his seat across from them and tapped on the ceiling. Lady Wethington chattered all the way to the bookstore while William stared out the window.

Once they arrived, he helped both ladies out of the carriage. Inside the store, his mother gasped and looked around. “Oh my, what a lovely bookstore. I must spend some time here.” She looked at William. “Do we have time before your meeting begins?”

William checked his timepiece. “Yes, we have about twenty minutes.”

Lady Wethington clapped her hands. “Wonderful. I will join you in a bit. Where is the meeting held?”

William waved to the back of the store. “Just follow this path to the back of the store, and you will come to a door on the right-hand side. We will be in there.”

She nodded and walked toward one of the bookcases, her eyes alight with joy.

As William and Amy headed to the meeting room, he pulled her aside and whispered, “I have information that will remove Mr. DuBois from our suspect list.”

CHAPTER 9

Before William could tell Amy why Mr. DuBois was no longer a suspect, Miss Gertrude and Miss Penelope jumped from their seats and hurried over to say hello. “Good evening, Lady Amy, Lord Wethington.”

As expected, the ladies were dressed in identical dresses. The pretense that they were twins was a mystery Amy would solve one day.

Amy and William returned the sisters’ greetings and walked with them to the front of the room, where Mr. Davidson and Mr. Colbert were conversing. “How did you make out with the police last week?” Mr. Colbert asked William.

“I confirmed his identification.”

“Oh dear,” Miss Gertrude said. “What is that all about?”

William turned to her. “My man of business, Mr. James Harding, was found floating in the River Avon last week. Since he had one of my business cards on him, the police asked me to confirm his identity, as they were unable to find any next of kin.”

Miss Gertrude tsked and shook her head, her eyes quickly darting from William to her sister. The woman did not seem too upset—though if she didn’t know the man, there was no reason for her to be wailing and wringing her hands. Then again, Amy had been shocked when the ladies asked about joining the mystery book club. Their enthusiasm had been quite startling. It appeared one never really knew the people one saw on a regular basis.

Mr.