A scandalous death, p.17
A SCANDALOUS DEATH, page 17
“I was in a long interview with Lady Middlefield,” she admitted. “I had to tell her what was going on, and she ended up demanding that I reveal every secret I’ve learned since I’ve been here.”
A mixture of anxiety and concern darkened Gilbert’s face.
"I totally understand the situation, Mary. There was nothing you could do about it if you had to tell her everything."
“I told her everything – except one.” She tapped her chest. “Your secret is safe with me, Gilbert.”
Intentionally, she addressed him by his first name, for the very first time.
Now, gratitude and relief replaced the worry in Gilbert’s eyes as he whispered, “Thank you.”
Mary was willing to leave it there, and in fact, she would have. She had her pride and didn't want to make her problems his.
But when he asked her, in concerned tones, “Tell me truthfully – was there any backlash or consequences to you, because of all of this?” she had no option but to explain.
"Actually, I've been dismissed. And Hannah, too. Lady Middlefield has let us go with a month's extra wages to tide us over while we look for something else, and she'll give us references, but she says she doesn't want us here anymore. I think it would be awkward after – well, after everything that's happened. And she was a bit angry at me for not telling her everything – not that I want you to feel bad about it," she added hurriedly, seeing his face tauten yet again.
She felt sad to burden Gilbert with this, and devastated to be jobless again. And a tiny part of her was wishing that she and Hannah would have had the chance to travel to Skegness and see the sea. But that would never happen now. Viewing the sea was a dream for another day.
“I’m so sorry about that, and I think it’s extremely unfair. But that’s actually what I wanted to discuss with you,” Gilbert said. “I was on the phone with my mother earlier, telling her all about this, and she was most admiring of your actions.”
“Was she?” Mary felt cheered by that.
“She immediately said that if you and your friend were fired, which she suspected might happen, I must tell you that Haversham Hall, which is in Derbyshire, is looking for four new housemaids, as they've just refurbished a whole new wing, and they'd be very glad to take you on, seeing I know you and there's a personal connection." He hesitated, looking at her expectantly. "They're family friends and I travel there regularly – I know it's a decent place to work. Although, I'm not sure what secrets they have," he added with a wry smile.
Mary hesitated for only a moment.
This offer was a godsend, arriving at exactly the right time. And it would mean she’d be able to go to Hannah with good news, instead of landing disaster on her poor friend’s shoulders.
She stared Gilbert in the eye, meeting his deep blue gaze, and realizing that after being through all of this together, and learning so much more about him, she felt much closer to him. They felt like they had a deeper connection that hadn’t been there before.
Very good friends – but with a spark.
“I’d love to accept that offer on behalf of both of us, as soon as possible,” she said. “And if they have any secrets – well, I’ll do my best to make sure they stay hidden.”
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THE MAID AND THE MANSION: A MISSING GUEST
(The Maid and the Mansion Cozy Mystery—Book 3)
In post-World War II England, a clever, young woman named Mary Adams finds herself thrust into a world of privilege and secrets as she transitions from being a wartime factory worker to a maid in the grand estates. As Mary begins a new position in the kitchens of a prestigious family, she finds herself in the midst of an engagement party where the air is thick with tension and secrets. When a poison-induced murder disrupts the façade of a forced union, Mary must uncover the identity of the killer before the killer destroys more than just the engagement….
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THE MAID AND THE MANSION: A MISSING GUEST is book #3 in a charming historical cozy mystery series by Fiona Grace, #1 bestselling author of Murder in the Manor, which has over 10,000 five star reviews!
As Mary navigates the delicate intricacies of high society, she also finds herself privy to their darkest secrets. As a maid, Mary moves through mansions unnoticed and unheeded, allowing her to overhear tales of jilted lovers, gossip from fellow maids, and secrets straight from the mouths of the rich and elite.
As Mary delves deeper into the intricate web of secrets within the stately manor, she encounters a cast of eccentric and intriguing characters, each with their own secrets—and their own motives for murder.
Will Mary uncover their secrets in time? Or become just another story whispered about in the grand halls?
A charming historical cozy mystery series that transports readers back in time, THE MAID AND THE MANSION is mystery at its finest: spellbinding, atmospheric and impossible to put down. A page-turner packed with shocking twists, turns and a mystery that’s hard to solve, it will leave you reading late into the night, all while you fall in love with its unforgettable heroine.
Future books in the series are now available!
“The story line wasn't just a who done it, but had a story about her life and romance, including village life. Very entertaining.”
--Reader reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)
“It has endearing and sometimes quirky characters, a plot that keeps you reading and the right amount of romance. I can’t wait to start book two!”
--Reader reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)
“What a great story of murder, romance, new beginnings, love, friend ships and a wonderful cascade of mystery.”
--Reader reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)
“This is a clean contemporary romance that you will find hard to put down!”
--Reader reviewer (regarding Always, Forever)
“A bit of romance and a very determined woman! I have read many of Fiona Grace's novels and loved every one of them—this was no exception. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this new series!”
--Reader reviewer (regarding Always, With You)
THE MAID AND THE MANSION: A MISSING GUEST
(The Maid and the Mansion Cozy Mystery—Book 3)
Fiona Grace
Fiona Grace is author of the LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY series, comprising nine books; of the TUSCAN VINEYARD COZY MYSTERY series, comprising seven books; of the DUBIOUS WITCH COZY MYSTERY series, comprising three books; of the BEACHFRONT BAKERY COZY MYSTERY series, comprising six books; of the CATS AND DOGS COZY MYSTERY series, comprising nine books; of the ELIZA MONTAGU COZY MYSTERY series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the ENDLESS HARBOR ROMANTIC COMEDY series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the INN AT DUNE ISLAND ROMANTIC COMEDY series, comprising five books (and counting); of the INN BY THE SEA ROMANTIC COMEDY series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the MAID AND THE MANSION COZY MYSTERY series, comprising five books (and counting).
MURDER IN THE MANOR (A Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery—Book 1), AGED FOR MURDER (A Tuscan Vineyard Cozy Mystery—Book 1), SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF MURDER (A Dubious Witch Cozy Mystery—Book 1), BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A KILLER CUPCAKE (A Beachfront Bakery Cozy Mystery—Book 1), and A VILLA IN SICILY: OLIVE OIL AND MURDER (A Cats and Dogs Cozy Mystery—Book 1) are each available as a free download on Kobo!
Fiona would love to hear from you, so please visit www.fionagraceauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
BOOKS BY FIONA GRACE
THE MAID AND THE MANSION COZY MYSTERY
A MYSTERIOUS MURDER (Book #1)
A SCANDALOUS DEATH (Book #2)
A MISSING GUEST (Book #3)
AN UNSOLVABLE CRIME (Book #4)
AN IMPOSSIBLE HEIST (Book #5)
INN BY THE SEA ROMANTIC COMEDY
A NEW LOVE (Book #1)
A NEW CHANCE (Book #2)
A NEW HOME (Book #3)
A NEW LIFE (Book #4)
A NEW ME (Book #5)
THE INN AT DUNE ISLAND ROMANTIC COMEDY
A CHANCE LOVE (Book #1)
A CHANCE FALL (Book #2)
A CHANCE ROMANCE (Book #3)
A CHANCE CHRISTMAS (Book #4)
A CHANCE ENGAGEMENT (Book #5)
ENDLESS HARBOR ROMANTIC COMEDY
ALWAYS, WITH YOU (Book #1)
ALWAYS, FOREVER (Book #2)
ALWAYS, PLUS ONE (Book #3)
ALWAYS, TOGETHER (Book #4)
ALWAYS, LIKE THIS (Book #5)
ALWAYS, FATED (Book #6)
ALWAYS, FOR LOVE (Book #7)
ALWAYS, JUST US (Book #8)
ALWAYS, IN LOVE (Book #9)
ELIZA MONTAGU COZY MYSTERY
MURDER AT THE HEDGEROW (Book #1)
A DALLOP OF DEATH (Book #2)
CALAMITY AT THE BALL (Book #3)
A SPEAKEASY DEMISE (Book #4)
A FLAPPER FATALITY (Book #5)
BUMPED BY A DAME (Book #6)
A DOLL’S DEBACLE (Book #7)
A FELLA’S RUIN (Book #8)
A GAL’S OFFING (Book #9)
LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY
MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book#1)
DEATH AND A DOG (Book #2)
CRIME IN THE CAFE (Book #3)
VEXED ON A VISIT (Book #4)
KILLED WITH A KISS (Book #5)
PERISHED BY A PAINTING (Book #6)
SILENCED BY A SPELL (Book #7)
FRAMED BY A FORGERY (Book #8)
CATASTROPHE IN A CLOISTER (Book #9)
TUSCAN VINEYARD COZY MYSTERY
AGED FOR MURDER (Book #1)
AGED FOR DEATH (Book #2)
AGED FOR MAYHEM (Book #3)
AGED FOR SEDUCTION (Book #4)
AGED FOR VENGEANCE (Book #5)
AGED FOR ACRIMONY (Book #6)
AGED FOR MALICE (Book #7)
DUBIOUS WITCH COZY MYSTERY
SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF MURDER (Book #1)
SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF CRIME (Book #2)
SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF DEATH (Book #3)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY COZY MYSTERY
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A KILLER CUPCAKE (Book #1)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A MURDEROUS MACARON (Book #2)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A PERILOUS CAKE POP (Book #3)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A DEADLY DANISH (Book #4)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A TREACHEROUS TART (Book #5)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A CALAMITOUS COOKIE (Book #6)
CATS AND DOGS COZY MYSTERY
A VILLA IN SICILY: OLIVE OIL AND MURDER (Book #1)
A VILLA IN SICILY: FIGS AND A CADAVER (Book #2)
A VILLA IN SICILY: VINO AND DEATH (Book #3)
A VILLA IN SICILY: CAPERS AND CALAMITY (Book #4)
A VILLA IN SICILY: ORANGE GROVES AND VENGEANCE (Book #5)
A VILLA IN SICILY: CANNOLI AND A CASUALTY (Book #6)
Fiona Grace, A SCANDALOUS DEATH
