Murder under a blue moon, p.5
Murder Under a Blue Moon, page 5
“Your mother and I have come to an agreement. I’m sure she will inform you both later,” Mona said.
“I want to know now,” Miles said, his body stiffening with tension.
“Oh, be quiet. Both of you. Let me handle this,” Melanie snapped.
“I’d be happy to help. I think it sounds dreamy,” Jetta Dressler said.
“That’s the spirit,” Willie said, waving to the butler for more wine.
Mona studied her social secretary, Miss Jetta, whom she had inherited along with Moon Manor. It was the first time Mona really paid attention to her.
Miss Jetta wore a plain velvet gown that was out of style, but she was immaculately groomed and tidy. Her long hair was braided and wrapped around her head in a golden brown halo. While it was attractive, it was very old fashioned and hard to take care of, so Mona wondered why Jetta didn’t get her hair cut in some of the shorter hairstyles women were currently sporting.
“Are you sure the three of you can pull this off?” Dexter asked.
“Oh, I just came up with the idea. I’m not actually helping. Maybe supervising a little here and there,” Willie said before taking a sip of wine.
Hugh Beaumont said, “I can help also, mainly with getting valets for the automobiles, making sure the grounds are spotless, that sort of thing. We all certainly want to put our best foot forward for Miss Mona.” He smiled warmly at Mona, which was not lost on Melanie.
“That’s very sweet of you, Hugh,” Melanie barked.
“It’s important that Miss Mona’s transition to head of the Moon fortune be made as seamless as possible. Do you know much about the Moon business, Miss Mona?” Hugh asked, ignoring Melanie’s sharp tone.
Mona wondered if there was something between them. She would have sworn Melanie and Hugh were playing some sort of tiddlywinks under the table during dinner. Mona repressed the urge to bend under the table and peek. Yet, now Hugh was doing his utmost to capture Mona’s attention by gazing intently at her when he spoke.
She gave Hugh Beaumont a quick study. Like Dexter and Miles, he was wearing a black dinner jacket with square shoulders and a black bow tie with a starched white shirt and black waistcoat. Hugh wasn’t handsome but sexy in an ugly kind of way with his penciled thin mustache and sharp cheekbones. For a working Joe, he had very expressive hands. His fingers were long and elegant with nails recently manicured. He was a man whom women noticed. Catching Mona’s perusal of him, he boldly stared back until Jetta asked him to pass the salt.
Mona was relieved the stare down had been interrupted. She gave a quick smile at Jetta whom she thought had come to her rescue on purpose. Sharp cookie there.
“What I don’t know, I’ll learn,” Mona assured.
Meredith asked, “May I attend the ball, Mother?”
“You haven’t been presented to society yet.”
“I have no problem with Meredith coming,” Mona assured.
“I’d liked to be called Mimi, if you please. I’ve never liked the name Meredith.”
“All right, Mimi. I’ll remember in the future,” Mona shot back, thinking Mimi dressed a little older than she should. No doubt she was a mature-looking young lady for her age, but Mimi’s perpetual expression of entitled smugness made her seem unattractive.
With a prim look on her face, Mimi turned once again to her mother. “May I come? Mona said it was fine with her.”
“It’s Miss Mona for you and no. You must wait until you’ve been presented as a debutante.”
Mimi threw her napkin on the table and crossing her arms, shot her mother a petulant look. “I never get to do anything.”
Mona tried to ease the tension at the table. “Mimi, have you decided upon a college? Perhaps Transylvania University like your brother?”
“College? Why would I want to go to college when I’m to marry a rich man?” She sneered at her mother. “But I need to come out in society in order to meet men.”
“Your time will come very soon. I promise. Now honey, don’t be cross.” Melanie turned to the butler. “Thomas, what do we have for dessert?”
“Miss Mimi’s favorite—orange cake with a white coconut frosting.”
“See there, honey. Just for you.”
Mona placed her napkin to the left of her plate. “It’s been a long day. I’ll think I’ll retire.”
The three men stood.
“No please, stay and enjoy your dessert.” Giving a slight nod to her secretary, Mona said, “Miss Jetta, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I hope your plans include me tomorrow,” Hugh drawled, giving Mona a languid glance.
Ignoring him, Mona asked Dexter, “May I see you for a moment?”
“Surely. Willie, darling, I’ll be just a moment. Don’t eat my cake now.”
“As if I would,” Willie cooed, watching Thomas slice delicious slabs of gâteau à l’orange.
Dexter followed Mona into the hallway.
Mona whispered, “Dexter, I know you’re tired, but can you stay and make sure all my guests leave the house? I don’t trust Melanie to leave of her own accord.”
“Thomas will see to it.”
“He doesn’t have the authority to make them leave, but you do. Besides he’s known Melanie and those kids all his life. He’s not going to side with me.”
“He’s not going to jeopardize his job either, but I’ll hang about if that’s what you want.”
“Better yet, why don’t you and Willie stay tonight?”
Dexter thought for a moment. “I will stay long enough to make sure everyone is gone and all windows and doors are locked up tight, but I want to sleep in my own bed.”
Mona exhaled built-up tension. “I apologize, Dexter. I’m taking up way too much of your time. You and Willie were so kind to attend dinner tonight. Please forgive me.”
“I don’t see why you’re so jumpy. You’ve been in rougher places than this, besides you have your revolver.”
“It’s just that from the time I set foot in this house, I felt a sudden sense of foreboding. I can’t explain it, but there it is. Silly I know.”
“I think what you need is a good night’s sleep. You’ve won the first battle, and maybe even the war. There’s nothing to worry about. Things will look better in the morning.”
“Perhaps you’re right. Well, goodnight then. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Make that late tomorrow afternoon. I want to spend some time with my wife.”
Catching Dexter’s meaning, Mona smiled as she headed up the staircase, but she just couldn’t shake the awful feeling the next shoe was going to drop.
And Mona always trusted her gut.
10
“Miss, is there something you need to tell me? No one has ever locked a bedroom door in Moon Manor, let alone the front door of the house.”
“I know you think this over the top, but I have my reasons, Violet.”
Violet nodded but looked worried.
Seeing Violet’s concern, Mona knew if she was ever to gain this young woman’s trust, she had to be honest. “Violet, when I was in India, a rich man died and left his estate to a distant relative. The relative accepted the inheritance and came to live in the dead man’s house. Within two weeks, another relative who thought he should have received the estate murdered the heir. Emotions are running high, and I don’t know anyone here—not so that I could trust them. I’d rather be safe than sorry. At least until I get my bearings. I hope you understand.”
“Yes, but people in India are not Christians.”
Mona smiled at the naiveté of Violet’s statement. “Actually, the family in question was British, and the murderer was an Anglican reverend—a nephew of the deceased who stabbed the unlucky heir to death in his sleep. So you see, when a great deal of money is involved, people lose perspective.”
“Yes, Miss. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”
“Quite all right, Violet. By the way, were you my aunt’s maid?”
“No one’s, Miss. I’ve never been a lady’s maid before.”
“What were you then?”
“A maid of all work, but I have taken some courses through the mail, and Thomas gave me tips.”
“Do you want to be a lady’s maid?”
“I’m a good worker, and I need work that pays the best.”
“How much is your pay?”
“One hundred and twenty-five dollars a year.”
Mona was surprised. She knew personal maids made two hundred fifty dollars in the North plus keep. “Do you live on Mooncrest Farm?”
“My mother has a small house on the estate, but I moved into Moon Manor when I was chosen.”
“Does the rest of the staff live in Moon Manor also?”
“Mrs. Haggin and Miss Jetta live on the third floor and Thomas and Samuel have rooms in the male servants’ quarters in the basement. The rest of the staff go to their homes after dinner is served.”
“Who decided you would be my maid?”
“Miss Jetta.”
“Not Mrs. Haggin?”
“There was a great deal of discussion between Miss Jetta and Mrs. Haggin about it. Mrs. Haggin wanted Dora as she is the senior housemaid, but she didn’t have any training in waitin’ on a lady. Finally, Mr. Deatherage stepped in and decided I should take the position, mainly because I’m handy with a needle and thread.”
“Are you making more money now than before?”
“Yes.”
“And I provide your uniforms, meals, and lodging as part of your stipend?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“What days do you get off?”
“I get Thursday afternoons and Sunday evenings off.”
“What are your hours?”
“My hours? I’m not sure what you mean. I’m on call from sunrise until you go to bed. Whenever you need me, except for my official time off.”
“I see I have a lot to learn about managing a manor house and a horse farm, let alone copper mines.”
“No need to worry yourself about it, Miss Mona. You got men folks to do that for you.”
“One thing I’ve learned is not to depend on other people, especially men. They like to take advantage of women, especially single females.”
“Not Mr. Deatherage. He was Mr. Moon’s right hand man. You can trust him.”
“We’ll see. Let’s change the subject. Is there a personal relationship between my Aunt Melanie and Hugh Beaumont? I noticed a type of tension between them at dinner.”
“Mr. Beaumont is Miss Melanie’s particular friend.”
“But nothing official?”
“No, Miss, but everyone knows, except Miss Melanie doesn’t know that everyone knows.”
“Don’t Miss Melanie’s friends approve?”
“Mr. Beaumont has a reputation, if you know what I mean, but he is the scion of an old family who has lost their money. He is still welcomed at social events, but mothers keep an eye on their daughters, if you know what I mean. Besides, he’s an employee. He’s not Miss Melanie’s equal. Not anymore.”
“I won’t mention our little talk, Violet. I know you must be tired, so go to bed.”
“Don’t you need help undressing?”
“I would rather dress and undress myself in private. You take care of the suite, my clothes, and run errands for me.”
Violet frowned. “Folks will think badly of me if I don’t help with dressing you. They will think I’m lazy. Have I done something to offend you?”
Mona knew from previous experience servants can be very touchy about perceived insults. “Well, if you don’t tell anyone, and I don’t, who’s to know? It will be our little secret.”
“Like Miss Melanie’s secret?”
“No. A real secret.”
Seeing Violet was not reassured, Mona added, “I’m feeling my way through this adventure. Right now, I need to feel safe and have some time to acclimate to my new position as heiress. I’m counting on you to help me with this transition. However, if you are not happy, we can find another position for you.”
“You was counting on me?”
Mona noticed Violet used words like scion, but then used wrong verb tenses at times. She wondered what was behind it. “Yes, I need you to help by being a buffer. As I explained before, I don’t want anyone in this suite but you and me. Keep the rooms clean. Keep my clothes in good order, and if you hear something of which I should be informed, let me know.”
“You mean more secrets?”
“Think of yourself as my eyes and ears when I’m not around.”
Violet brightened. “I can do that. People blab all the time around me. They just forget I’m there. I hear lots of stuff. Lots.”
“Good. We’ll start tomorrow working things out. Right now I’m exhausted. Run along to bed, Violet.”
“Yes, Miss. Shall I put Chloe out?”
“No, Chloe will stay with me. I like having her around.”
“Goodnight, Miss.” Violet marched to her room, leaving Mona to throw off her evening gown, neatly hanging it over a chair. She donned a lavender silk negligee she had bought in Cincinnati. As a precaution, Mona wedged chairs against the doors leading from her bedroom, even the door that led to the maid’s room.
It wasn’t that Mona didn’t want to trust Violet. It was just that Mona didn’t trust Violet. Not yet, anyway.
11
In the middle of the night, Mona awoke to the sound of Chloe softly growling, alerting Mona to someone inserting a key into the lock and gently twisting the knob of her door. Pushing silently, the perpetrator found the door stubbornly held.
Mona lightly tiptoed over and put her ear against the wall. The intruder vainly tried to open the door again, but the chair jammed against the door remained steadfast.
The full moon was bright and provided ample light through the windows. Retrieving her revolver, Mona took careful aim and squeezed the trigger, shooting through the top of the wooden door.
Mona shouted above Chloe’s fierce barking. “If you try to get in my room again, the next shot will be lower!” She heard the intruder scurry down the staircase. Grabbing the skeleton key, Mona pulled the chair away, and unlocking the door, she and Chloe gave chase.
The front door stood wide open. Grasping Chloe’s collar, Mona stepped out onto the portico flanked by the imposing lions, which cast eerie shadows in the cold light of the moon. Seeing no movement, she knew the intruder had successfully fled the scene. Most probably, the trespasser had run behind the house, and Mona was not going to give chase in her bare feet. She knew better than to plunge headlong into a possible trap.
Thomas and Samuel ran up behind Mona, breathing heavily.
“What’s happened?” Thomas asked. He and Samuel tried not to show surprise at seeing their employer dressed in a thin negligee, brandishing a gun with one hand and holding on to a snarling, excited poodle with the other.
“We heard a gunshot,” Samuel said.
“It’s over.”
Thomas gave Mona a strange look while holding the front door open as Mona and Chloe stepped back through and started upstairs.
Turning on the staircase Mona asked, “Thomas, you did lock all the doors after our guests left?”
“Mr. Miles is still here. He was too under the weather to go home, so he stayed on, but I did lock all the doors after everyone else left.”
Mona sighed. “You mean he was drunk. Who gave him leave to stay?”
“Mr. Deatherage,” Thomas answered.
“Samuel, see if Miles is in his room. Thomas, recheck all the doors and windows to make sure they’re locked.”
“Yes, Miss. What should I do if Mr. Miles is not to be located?” Samuel asked.
“Nothing at the moment. We’ll sort it out later. One more thing, Thomas.”
“Yes, Miss?”
“It seems there’s been a little damage to my bedroom door. See that it is fixed, please.”
Both Thomas and Samuel shot each other a curious glance.
Mona ascended the staircase with Chloe. “Goodnight, gentlemen.”
Thomas and Samuel sang in chorus, “Goodnight, Miss Mona.”
Mona had one last chore to do before she went back to bed. She turned on the upstairs hall light and unlocked the door to the maid’s room. There slept Violet snoring lightly. Mona could tell by Violet’s body contour and her slack jaw that Violet was really in lala land and not pretending. “Well, I know Violet’s a heavy sleeper now,” Mona muttered.
She eased the door shut and locked it. Believing the night’s events were over, Mona went back to her room, but not before Chloe jumped into the big four-poster bed.
Mona didn’t push her away. To tell the truth, Mona didn’t mind the company and was determined for Chloe to become her good friend. Mona desperately needed a pal at Moon Manor—even if it was only a dog.
12
Mona awoke to five light taps on the door and a key turning in the lock. Seeing her precaution of a chair against the door had fallen away, Mona instinctively grabbed her gun and aimed at the door.
The door opened and in strode Violet carrying a tray laden with food. Upon seeing a gun pointed at her, Violet nearly dropped the tray.
“Oh, it’s you.”
“Yes, Miss Mona. I’ve brought your breakfast.”
“What time is it?”
“Nine. It’s late I know, but apparently there was an upset last night.”
“What about?”
“I don’t know, but there is a lot of whispering in the kitchen.”
Violet laid the tray on the bed. “I’ll draw your bath.”
“Don’t bother, Violet. I’ll take a quick shower. Please lay out an outfit for this morning. You know best about these matters.”
“You have a nice day frock, which will be suitable as it’s going to be warm today. If you don’t mind me saying so, Miss Mona, you need more clothes. I used to mend Miss Melanie’s things when she lived here, and I know from her wardrobe that you don’t have enough outfits for a lady of your position.”
“When did my aunt last reside here?”
