Murder at the Mayfair Hotel (Cleopatra Fox Mysteries #1)- C.J. Archer Page 0,77

it free, she glared at him until he drew his legs back, releasing the skirt. He put his hands up in surrender but didn’t offer an apology. Harmony marched out of the parlor behind Edith and the other maids. Victor watched her go, a small smile on his lips.

I left the cooks and returned to the foyer where I asked Peter if the police had arrived yet.

“Mr. Hobart just informed me they’re on their way,” he said through a smile as a guest approached his counter.

The foyer was even busier than before, with several guests milling about or arriving. I was surprised to see Aunt Lilian greeting many of them personally. She smiled brightly as she flitted between groups like a mauve butterfly, but a closer inspection revealed the dark circles under her eyes.

Flossy broke away from the women she was talking to and joined me. “There you are! I’ve been looking for you.”

“Your mother looks well this morning.”

Flossy pulled a face. “She’s cross with me. She just learned that the man she wanted me to marry isn’t coming to tonight’s ball.”

“The one with the interest in Egyptian archeology?”

She nodded. “Apparently her friend, his mother, said I’m not the right girl for him. Mother is blaming me for not putting more effort into capturing his interest. But honestly, I tried, Cleo. I truly did. I even asked questions about the temples in Egypt.”

“Do you mean pyramids?” I said, trying to keep a straight face.

“Perhaps you should try. He seems more your type, and you’re closer in age to him than I am.”

“I don’t intend to marry,” I told her.

She laughed, but when I didn’t join in, she blinked at me. “You’re serious.”

“Yes.”

“But…” She frowned and seemed to be grappling with the concept. To be fair, it must be an idea she’d never entertained. Perhaps she didn’t even know she could entertain it. “But there’s nothing wrong with you, Cleo. You might not come with a dowry, but a man with his own fortune will overlook that.”

I pressed my lips together to stop my smile from breaking free.

She patted my arm. “I’ll introduce you to some gentlemen tonight. Floyd has some friends who are in line to inherit. One or two are even good company.”

“I’m not going to the ball.”

Her pout returned. “Oh, Cleo, do change your mind. It’s not too late.”

I didn’t want to argue with her so I remained quiet.

“Isn’t that Mr. Hobart’s brother, the detective?” she asked.

I followed her gaze to see the detective inspector and another man arrive. The two Hobart brothers exchanged words, which left the hotel manager frowning. They approached me together. I excused myself from Flossy and met them halfway.

“Good morning, Miss Fox.” There was nothing friendly about the inspector’s businesslike manner. “The message that was left for me said you have information regarding the murder.”

“I think so,” I said. “Thank you for coming.”

“You can’t talk about that out here.” Mr. Hobart glanced around. “Go into my office. Quickly now, before Lady Bainbridge sees you. I can’t have her informing Sir Ronald.”

The inspector regarded his brother. “You don’t want me here solving your murder?”

“It is not my murder. And no, I don’t want you here. Not on the day of the ball. There’s too much to do, and if the guests find out the police are here, it’ll remind them of the incident.”

“Perhaps they ought to be reminded. There is a murderer here, after all.”

“We don’t know that. He could have been one of the guests who checked out.”

“I doubt that.”

Did he mean he doubted the murderer had left, or that it was a guest at all? If not a guest, then he must suspect a staff member. Even more reason to present him with my evidence against Mr. Hookly.

Mr. Hobart stiffened. “You may speak with Miss Fox in my office.”

“Can you join us?” I wasn’t quite sure whether I was asking because I wanted him to hear what I had to say about Mr. Hookly, or whether I wanted someone capable of deflecting the inspector’s ire.

“Of course, but only for five minutes. I have a lot of work to do.”

“If only you had an assistant,” the inspector muttered.

The barb stung, just as he’d intended. It would seem neither of Mr. Armitage’s parents would forgive me for what I’d done. I was glad I wouldn’t be seeing them again after this investigation was over.

“Stephen,” Mr. Hobart chided.

The inspector indicated that his brother should lead the way.

The second policeman followed and closed the door behind