To Mourn a Murder (33 page)

"Who's running?" Luten demanded. "Not I!"

"I'd like to see the Abbey," Coffen said. "I hear there's a ghost. Never seen a live ghost."

Before Prance could point out that ghosts were by definition dead men, Byron said, "Nor have I, though I've heard human moaning on many a dark night when no living soul is about. There is said to be a phantom monk in black who haunts the monks' avenue."

Coffen's blue eyes sparkled. "Any clanking chains?"

"I can't guarantee clanking chains, but a phantom choir sings when the moon is full."

"A gothic-ey sort of place, it sounds like. Lovely!"

"It might have been designed by Mrs. Radcliffe for one of her gothic novels. All soaring arches, a gothic lake, a cloister, ancient elms and yews. To say nothing of mold and dry rot."

"Say no more! I'm on," Coffen announced with enthusiasm.

Luten could see his beloved was also on for the visit. He admitted a certain interest himself. "It sounds delightful. Corinne?"

"If you like, Luten," she replied with an effort at indifference, but her dancing eyes revealed her eagerness.

Prance's acceptance was taken for granted.

"Good," Byron said. "We'll arrange the details soon. And now I shall leave you. I had promised Miss Gorrie a set at her mama's ball. Her feathers will be ruffled at my having missed it, but if I hurry I may smooth them by taking her in to supper."

He made his bows and left. It never occurred to Coffen that he might be
de trop,
but Prance realized it and soon herded him out to leave the lovers some privacy.

Luten rose and sat beside his fiancée on the sofa. "Well, another case successfully solved," he said with satisfaction.

"Yes, it always leaves me sad. To tell the truth, I was a little surprised you agreed to go to Newstead, Luten."

"Method in my madness," he said.

"An opportunity to sweet talk him into the shadow cabinet, you mean."

"That wasn't my meaning. It's not far from Southcote Abbey. I thought we might go there after and be married at my home–your future home. A small wedding and a honeymoon to Ireland to visit your folks.

“Prance hasn't time for us since he's taken up Byron. I asked him how the plans were progressing and he muttered something about a hundred shades of green. It's a traditional wedding at Southcote, or 'married in green, ashamed to be seen,' as Coffen says."

"That sounds lovely," she said and rewarded him for his eagerness in the traditional way of lovers. Black, listening from the hallway, wondered how he could include himself in the visit to Newstead.

"I'm looking forward to the visit," Coffen said, as he left with Prance.

"Byron turned out all right after all. Not such a showoff as I thought he was. In fact, I was taking a look at
Childe Harold
t'other day and find he's nearly as good as he thinks he is. And he ate tonight too. Two ham sandwiches, on top of which he's rushing off to take that lady to supper."

"Christmas at Newstead," Prance said on a luxurious sigh. How he would enjoy mentioning it to his friends. "Just a small, private party."

"Aye, a pity about that. I was hoping he'd ask a few of the ladies that are always hounding him. With a ghost to frighten them into a fellow's arms, there's no telling what might happen, even to me."

"There are bound to be ladies in the neighbourhood," Prance consoled him. "In any case, one has a feeling a visit to Newstead could not possibly be dull."

"True, not with ghosts to liven things up," Coffen said, and went home, while Prance strolled across the street to consult with Villier as to suitable garments for the visit.

Joan Smith is a graduate of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and the Ontario College of Education. She has taught French and English in high school and English in college. When she began writing, her interest in Jane Austen and Lord Byron led to her first choice of genre, the Regency, which she especially liked for its wit and humor.

She is the author of over a hundred books, including Regencies, many with a background of mystery, for Fawcett and Walker, contemporary mysteries for Berkley, historical mysteries for Fawcett and St. Martin's, romances for Silhouette, along with a few historicals and gothics. She has had books in the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, had one book condensed in a magazine, and has been on Walden's Bestseller list.

Her favorite travel destination is England, where she researches her books. Her hobbies are gardening, painting, sculpture and reading. She is married and has three children. A prolific writer, she is currently working on Regencies and various mysteries at her home in Georgetown, Ontario.

Copyright © 2012 by Joan Smith

Electronically published in 2012 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads

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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.