The Custom House Murders (Captain Lacey Mysteries #15) - Ashley Gardner Page 0,29

kissed Anne before passing her back to Mrs. McGowan and gave Peter a rough hug. He allowed it, though he’d started not liking too many affectionate gestures. He preferred shaking hands instead.

I reluctantly departed and went downstairs to my own chamber to wash and change for the evening.

Supping with Donata was pleasant. We were served in the dining room, she forgoing her place at the foot of the table to sit close to me at the head. Barnstable directed the service, keeping a watchful eye on the two footmen who carried us dishes of clear soup, fish, salad, capons in white sauce, beef, a savory tart, and several sweet ones. All this accompanied by fine wines that Grenville had advised Donata to acquire.

It was far too much food, in my opinion, for two people eating alone, but when I recalled my sparse existence in the cold rooms in Grimpen Lane, I decided to enjoy.

Donata and I, for once not surrounded by guests, conversed amiably. I told her about my visit to Thompson and all I’d discovered, and she relayed the various tasks she was undertaking to settle Peter’s affairs and prepare him for school, which he would begin in the spring. We also spoke of our journey to visit Grenville in Gloucestershire and speculated on how Marianne Simmons, a former actress, would do as hostess.

After supper we adjourned to the sitting room, with Barnstable bringing in coffee for Donata and brandy for me. He was delighted to serve us, I could see, revealing a plate of chocolates as a surprise, and asking us repeatedly if we needed anything more.

“How is Brewster?” I asked him. “Have you found a corner for him for the night?”

Barnstable gave me a nod. “He is a surprisingly agreeable guest, sir. There’s a cubby off the kitchen with a pallet we keep for emergencies. Mr. Brewster says he won’t use it much, but it will do for him. Cook’s feeding him, and he’s sent word to his wife.”

Barnstable had unbent toward Brewster a good deal in the last year. When Brewster had first shadowed me at Denis’s behest, turning up to wait for me, Barnstable had quietly locked up the silver.

All was well in our domestic bliss tonight. I would later keep my promise to Peter and read to him, but meanwhile, Donata and I enjoyed each other’s company.

After Barnstable departed, my gaze strayed to the chessboard reposing on a delicate Hepplewhite table near the window. I moved to it, studying the black and white marble squares of the board. I opened a box resting next to it and observed the rows of intricately carved ivory queens, kings, rooks, pawns, knights, and bishops.

“Do you play?” I asked Donata.

“Not much at all.” Donata sipped coffee and managed to be languidly elegant. “Enough to keep a guest entertained, but I am wretched at it. Though guests enjoy winning. It makes them feel clever.”

“Did Breckenridge play?”

Donata huffed a laugh. “Heavens, I don’t know.”

The answer cheered me. If she’d known all about how well her late husband had or had not played, that would mean she’d paid attention, had cared. She’d given up on the man not long into her marriage, and I liked finding signs that she’d not allowed him to lodge in her heart.

I lifted the white queen. The one I’d given Creasey had been abstract, while this was intricate, the queen’s face etched precisely into the ivory. I set it on the board and lifted out a black knight—this one a horse with a tiny armored man astride it.

“Are you asking me to have a game?” Donata inquired. “It will be very quick, I assure you. It will hardly pass any time at all.”

“I am reminiscing. I played in the army, but I’m rusty.” I set down the knight in a square that would threaten the queen. “Do you have any books on the subject?”

“I imagine so. Barnstable would know.”

Donata’s library, purchased in its entirety by Breckenridge, contained a vast number of books on a variety of subjects. Breckenridge had never read one of them, but Barnstable kept them lovingly. I would peruse the shelves with his help.

For now, I had an appointment with another book full of harrowing stories that Peter adored. I put away the chess pieces, excused myself, and went to the nursery to keep my promise.

IN THE MORNING, I decided to visit Eden. I wanted to ask him more about Warrilow, and about the other passengers on the ship. Warrilow must have quarreled