Murder under a blue moon, p.4
Murder Under a Blue Moon, page 4
Power wasn’t given. It was taken—by force if necessary.
Mona had learned that a long time ago.
7
“You asked for me, Miss Moon?” Violet said, standing in the doorway.
Angry shouting could be heard floating up the staircase.
“Yes, please shut the door.”
Before Violet could close the door, a standard white poodle pushed past Violet and sat before Mona whimpering.
“Who is this?” Mona asked, scratching the dog behind the ears.
“Moon Manor has lots of dogs, but she was Mr. Manfred’s favorite. She’s been awfully blue since your uncle’s death.”
“What’s her name?”
“Chloe.”
“Has anyone in the family claimed her?”
“She was supposed to be put in the kennel before your arrival. I’ll put her out.”
“No, leave her. I like dogs. She’ll be fine.”
“If you say so, Miss.”
“Do you have the key?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Are there only two keys to this room?”
“I think so, Miss.”
“I want you to keep one key on you at all times. You are to guard it closely. Give it to no one, and keep it in a safe place on your person.”
Violet looked puzzled but nodded.
“I will keep the other key with me as well. This room and the adjoining maid’s room will be locked at all times. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Miss, but how will Mabelle clean?”
“She won’t. You will.”
“Oh,” Violet sighed unhappily, as a lady’s maid didn’t usually clean.
“Your duties are going to change. No one is allowed into this suite except you and me. You are to take care of my rooms and my clothes. Does this key fit all the locks for this bedroom and the maid’s room?”
“Yes, Miss Moon.”
“Does this key fit other locks in the house?”
“Not to my knowledge, Miss. Each bedroom has its own key.”
“Very well. Each time you go out of my rooms, you will lock the door. Each time you enter these rooms to work, you will lock the door behind you. Understood?”
“Yes, Miss.” Violet jumped when a knock sounded at the door. “That must be Samuel and Isaac with your trunks.”
“Let them in. Then lock the door. Show them to the bathroom and dressing room. Get my aunt’s things out of here.”
Violet opened the door, letting in two young men carrying Mona’s heavy steamer trunks.
They stood sheepishly beside Violet waiting for instructions.
“Put the trunks in the dressing room. Violet will show you. Where is Aunt Melanie’s luggage?”
Violet offered, “She keeps her luggage in one of the closets in the dressing room.”
“Good. Her things should be easy to pack.”
“Where should we take her belongings?” Samuel asked.
Mona replied, “To her house, I should think.”
Isaac spoke up, “It’s not going to be easy to shed Miss Melanie. She’s brewing a terrible storm downstairs. Cussing too. Not too ladylike if you ask me.”
“Hush, Isaac. Not our place to say,” Samuel hissed.
“Take her luggage downstairs and leave it on the front driveway. Tell Jamison to take the luggage to Aunt Melanie’s house.”
“He’s not here,” Samuel said.
“Where is he?”
“Jamison took Mr. Deatherage home.”
“Of course. Well, leave the luggage in the driveway and tell Jamison to take it over to Aunt Melanie’s house when he gets back. That includes my cousins’ belongings as well.”
Samuel and Isaac glanced at each other before following Violet through the bathroom.
Mona called out, “Violet, bring me one of Aunt Melanie’s hatboxes.”
Violet dutifully hurried to Mona and handed her a large hatbox.
Mona went through the nightstands, desk, and chests in the room, throwing items into the hatbox. Coming across an address book and a packet of letters, Mona kept them, tucking them in her purse. She also kept a calendar, as well as an old bank statement. After cleaning out the drawers, she checked under the mattress, then the bed, finding nothing but dust bunnies.
Fifteen minutes later, Violet entered the main bedroom and announced, “We are ready, Miss Moon.”
“We need to execute this carefully. If I’m correct, my aunt and Mrs. Haggin will be outside the bedroom door waiting for us to open it.”
Violet nodded.
“Tell Samuel and Isaac to leave by the maid’s door with the luggage once they hear footsteps running down the main staircase. Have them use the same staircase and go out the front door. If my plan goes right, everyone will be scurrying to the back of the house.”
“What will I be doing, Miss?”
“You will be explaining through the door to my aunt and Mrs. Haggin that if they don’t vacate the second floor, all my aunt’s belongings will be thrown from the balcony.”
Violet’s face drained of color. “I don’t know, Miss. Sounds awfully drastic to me.”
“It will work. Now let’s start.”
After Violet gave Samuel and Isaac their instructions, she came back and approached the bedroom door.
Mona gave her an encouraging look.
Violet asked in a quivering voice. “Mrs. Haggin, are you there?”
Two muffled voices sounded as if discussing the question.
“I’m here, Violet. Open this door at once,” Mrs. Haggin demanded.
“I’m afraid I can’t. I’m to let you know that if you don’t go downstairs, Miss Melanie’s things will be thrown off the balcony.”
“This is outrageous!” Aunt Melanie bellowed, her words slightly slurring. “You better not touch my possessions.”
“Sorry, ma’am, but everything has been packed. You’re not to cause any trouble. If you do, Miss Moon says your beautiful clothes will be thrown out for you to collect. Please Miss Melanie, don’t cause mischief.”
Melanie shouted, “How dare you talk to me that way!”
A masculine voice intervened. “Mother, do come away. You’re making a scene. There’s a better way to handle this.”
Hoping to bluff the women, Violet shouted, “Ma’am, Miss Moon is tossing your luggage over the railing now. Oh my goodness! Everything has dashed out onto the lawn, and the dogs are sniffing about. Hurry before the dogs do their business.”
Violet jumped when someone violently kicked the door, but soon heard the clank of the elevator door close, followed by the rattle of cables as the elevator descended to the first floor. She pressed her ear against the door. “I think they’re gone, Miss Moon.”
“Good. Tell the lads to skedaddle. Luckily our ruse worked and the path is free.”
Violet rushed to Samuel and Isaac who jerked the maid’s door open and hurried down the front staircase, with their burdens thumping on each stair.
Locking the maid’s door, Violet went back into the bedroom where she found Mona watching out the windows.
Seeing Mrs. Haggin and Aunt Melanie rounding the corner, Mona pulled back from the window and sat at the desk. “Well, that’s done.”
“Oh, Miss, I hope you haven’t started something you can’t finish. Miss Melanie is awfully strong willed. Only your uncle could control her.”
“Thank you for the warning, Violet. Now will you fetch me some hot tea and a couple of sandwiches.”
“Surely.”
“And leave your key here. Give five taps when you knock, and I’ll know it’s you.”
Violet put the key on the desk and fled. She was pleased Miss Melanie had been thwarted, and her look of anxiety changed to a conspiratorial expression of delight. She didn’t know what to make of the new mistress, but knew life would not be dull at Moon Manor.
8
Mona glided down the grand staircase wearing a magnolia printed chiffon dress with butterfly sleeves and a simple gold heart locket her father had given her mother for a wedding gift.
She wasn’t sure if she should wear elbow length gloves to dinner, so she carried them in her hand.
At the bottom of the staircase Samuel, dressed in black tails, white tie and gloves, waited for her.
As he helped her down the last several steps, Mona whispered, “Samuel, should I be wearing gloves for dinner? I know if I were in England I might be expected to wear gloves, but I’m not so sure it’s the custom here.”
Samuel replied, “There is a large brouhaha in the library, Miss. I would suggest that all gloves are off.”
Mona smiled. “A bare knuckle fight?”
“Yes, Miss Moon.”
“Who’s in there?”
“Miss Melanie and Mr. Deatherage. It seems today’s escapades have stirred Miss Melanie to the point where she’s threatening to have you committed due to insanity.”
“Who else is here?”
“Mrs. Deatherage, Mr. Hugh Beaumont, your farm manager, Miss Jetta Dressler, your personal secretary, and your cousins are having cocktails in the front drawing room.”
“Hmmm. I guess I better stop the brawling in the library so we may have dinner.”
“I would hope so, Miss. The yelling is upsetting the staff and putting the dogs off their feed.”
“Thank you, Samuel. Hmm, speaking of dogs, I have Chloe in my room. Tell Violet to walk and feed her. She will also need a bowl of water placed in the bathroom.”
“Shall I put her in the kennel for tonight, Miss?”
“No, I’ll keep her with me. Did Uncle Manfred put Chloe in the kennel at night?”
“No, Miss, your uncle and Chloe were fast companions. She stayed by his side always. It will be good for her to have a companion again.”
“Was Chloe with Uncle Manfred when he passed?”
“Yes, and it made things difficult.”
“In what way?”
“Chloe wouldn’t let Archer or anyone tend the body, but especially Archer. The vet had to doctor some meat and sedate her before Mr. Manfred could be attended. After that, she was put in the kennel. I have no idea how she got out.”
“Hmm.”
“Miss. May I escort you to the library?”
“By all means.”
Mona followed Samuel down a dark paneled hallway to an ornate door carved with flowers and frolicking naked wood nymphs.
Samuel knocked, opened the door, and announced, “Miss Moon,” leaving Mona to face a frustrated Mr. Deatherage and a frazzled, angry Aunt Melanie.
Mona was astonished at how young her aunt was. She knew Melanie had been a mid-life baby, which made her only a few years older. She was quite beautiful with light blonde hair and light eyes, not golden like hers but still unusual and startling. “Good evening,” Mona said calmly.
Melanie rose from her chair and screeched, “YOU! How dare you throw me out of the house in which I was born. You’re nothing more than an interloper. The daughter of a servant.”
“My father lived in this house for twenty-five years. I have every right to be here as its new mistress, as I am the first born of the first born son.” She strode over to her aunt and stood before her. “Please Aunt. Let us not quarrel. I’ve come to make peace.”
“Harrumph” Melanie coughed.
Mr. Deatherage, grateful for help in dealing with Melanie, asked, “What do you have in mind, Miss Moon?”
“I’ll give my aunt two choices, and she may pick one.”
“What could you offer that would make me forget my awful treatment today?” Melanie sneered. She pulled a handkerchief out from one of her banjo sleeves hanging limply from her green taffeta evening gown.
Mona sat in a chair beside her. “I think what I’m about to propose will make the unpleasantness of today a distant memory.”
Melanie blew her nose and curiously peeked up at Mona. “Go on.”
“I will give you this house and deed it in your name, but I retain my position as head of the family with all my assets intact—both land and monies as stated in Uncle Manfred’s will. You will have the prestige of living at Moon Manor again, have your current annual remittance, and I will move to one of the other houses on the estate.”
Melanie’s eyes brightened.
Mona continued, “But the upkeep of this house and wages for the servants will be taken out of your income—not the estate’s general funds.”
“I could never afford the upkeep on this house, and you know it.”
“Here’s my other proposal. I will grant you a one-time disbursement of five thousand dollars, and each of my cousins will receive fifteen hundred dollars if you drop the lawsuit and promise that you and your children will never take legal action against me or the estate ever again. You will welcome me with open arms into this family.”
Melanie paused to straighten a bow on her green dress, gaining time to think about the last offer. “Will my annual income remain the same?”
“Yes.”
“And my children?”
“Same as before.”
“And the five thousand dollars is mine to do with as I please?”
“As long as you don’t use it against me or for any nefarious activity. Make up your mind, Auntie. Once we leave this room, all offers are off the table. I’ll see you in court, and I have the money to drag this lawsuit out for a very long time.”
Mr. Deatherage interjected, “Just a minute, Miss Moon. That’s an awful lot of money you’re throwing about. The country is still in a Depression you know.”
“Can I afford it?”
“That’s not the point,” Mr. Deatherage begged to differ.
Melanie snapped, “I want ten thousand.”
“Six thousand and not a penny more,” Mona countered.
“Must be in cash. Under the table. I don’t want to pay taxes on it.”
Mona looked at Mr. Deatherage who was wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. “You feeling all right, Mr. Deatherage?”
Before he could respond, Melanie blurted, “I’ll do it.”
A delicious smile appeared on Mona’s face. “Good. Mr. Deatherage will write up the terms of the agreement, and as soon as you and my cousins sign the contract, you’ll get what’s coming to you.”
Mr. Deatherage asked, “Which deal are you taking, Melanie? The house or the money?”
Both Mona and Melanie spoke in unison, “THE MONEY, OF COURSE!”
9
Dinner was understandably tense. Mona sat at the head of the table and could feel the seething resentment steaming from her Aunt Melanie and cousins, Meredith and Miles. She would not rest easily until her relatives signed the binding agreement, which would guarantee Mona freedom from any tomfoolery her family might cause in the future. She was going to slip in a clause that if they reneged in any way, Mona would be allowed to lower or disband their annual remittance. Money was the key to controlling her aunt and cousins, and she wanted to hold that power firmly in her hands.
It was not that Mona blamed her relatives’ resentment toward her. They had never set eyes on her before this evening, and her father, Mathias Milton Moon, did cause a great scandal in 1903 by marrying the daughter of the head gardener from Moon Manor. Mona’s grandfather swiftly disinherited Mathias when her father refused to walk away from Mona’s mother and the two eloped.
The love and admiration Mona felt for her father swelled after seeing all he had surrendered to marry the woman he loved. Forswearing the Moon fortune had been a great sacrifice, and Mona was not sure she would have done the same, but then she had never been in love. She clutched the gold locket around her neck. It contained the pictures of both her parents with the inscription Forever, MMM.
Mona’s mother had given her the wedding locket shortly before she died of tuberculosis. Mona believed her mother held on to life until she graduated from college. It was the desire to witness Mona walk across the dais and accept her diploma, which had kept her mother going, as not many women graduated from college with honors in 1925, let alone magnum cum laude. A month later, Mona’s mother was dead.
As memories rushed through Mona’s mind, she picked at her food and listlessly listened to the conversation around her. She had won the first battle establishing herself as mistress of Moon Manor, but it had taken its toll. She was in desperate need of rest.
“Don’t you agree, Mona? MONA!”
Mona looked up. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
Willie Deatherage smiled, chirping, “Don’t you think it’s a good idea?”
“What is?”
“A ball to introduce you to Bluegrass society. Melanie can throw it in your honor.”
Mona waved Thomas away as he tried to fill her wine glass. “What are you going on about?”
“Your Aunt Melanie is going to throw a ball in your honor, so you can meet everyone.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Willie.”
“It’s a great idea,” Willie insisted. “How else are you going to meet people?”
Dexter Deatherage interjected, “Now dear, don’t bully. If Miss Moon says she doesn’t want a ball, then she doesn’t want it.”
Willie continued, “What’s with this Miss Moon jazz? We’re in the South. Gentlemen and servants should refer to you as Miss Mona. Miss Moon is too formal, and quit calling my husband Mr. Deatherage. His name is Dexter, or as most people around here pronounce it “Dextah.’”
“Honestly, Willie, you make my head spin,” Mona sputtered, not knowing how to respond.
“A ball might be a good idea at that,” Dexter contemplated, mulling the idea over. “It would demonstrate the family’s support for you. Wouldn’t you say, Melanie?”
Melanie threw her napkin on the table, galled at the thought of giving a fancy shindig with Mona as the honored guest, but whined, “I suppose so.”
“After all, those papers are not signed yet,” Dexter reminded her.
“What papers, Mother?” Miles demanded. “What’s old Dexter yammering about?”
“Hush, honey. I’ll tell you later.”
Meredith insisted, “What is it, Mummy? We have a right to know. Are we staying at Moon Manor after all?”
