“You don’t know a Zac DeLounge, do you?” I asked.
“I can’t say I do. Was that the victim?” Bradford asked.
“Could be.” I didn’t lie—and out of habit, I wouldn’t. But I phrased my answer ambiguously.
“Since he rode Luna here, do you think he traveled from very far away?” Bradford asked.
“Darcy’s already had our security team look over the footage around the property. The victim was injured when he rode in from the woods, but it’s impossible to know at what point he found Luna.” I paused. Whoever killed Zac probably wasn’t counting on him finding my horse in the woods and riding to the house. “Thanks for your help. If you don’t mind, just keep your eyes open. I don’t really know the other guests.”
“Of course. Sorry to disappoint you, kiddo.” Bradford stood, and I realized just how tall he was—almost as tall as Darcy, but more leanly built. His swirl of blond hair fell to one side of his face, and he looked like he belonged in a Regency romance. “I’m sure the police will figure it out. Wait, though. Did they bring the body into the house?”
“Oh, no. Not in the house. Don’t worry.” I waved his concern away. “Well, let me know if you need anything. Dinner is at seven as usual.”
He touched his hand to his heart, closed his eyes, and nodded. “That’s a relief. Spending the night with a dead body in the house sounds awfully macabre.”
“Well, he’s an interesting character,” Henry said after Bradford left the room.
“You think so? I thought the conversation was exceptionally dull. We learned nothing.” I drew back the lace curtains to assess the snow burying Pemberley. We had to have at least three feet. It did make for a cozy scene with all of our Christmas decorations. Though having a murder was anything but.
Dan still sat in the corner but didn’t say a word. He was probably hoping I would forget he was there and not send him away. I glanced at him, and he quickly turned his attention back to his phone. “Dan, you’re free to share any thoughts you have as well.”
Dan looked back up. “I really couldn’t say, Miss Georgiana. Mysterious events.”
“Your cousin almost doesn’t seem real. I guess it must be a high-fae thing. He reminds me ofone of Tolkien’s elves or something,” Henry said. “Well, I guess that’s not too strange. You and your brother do as well.”
I smiled and couldn’t help but tease. “Well, I can’t divulge any secrets. But I wonder if any fae acted in those films they made? The audience would be none the wiser.”
Henry scrunched up his nose in thought. “Really?”
I shrugged. “I think I’d better call the next guest… or guests.”
The next names I tried were Mr. and Mrs. Milo Longfield. They were lowborn fae from Texas and claimed to be touring this part of the country. I didn’t like terms like high or lowborn fae, but it was how they’d described themselves. Though I wasn't old enough to be an acting princess, when I did come into power, I would encourage more equality among our people.
Several minutes after I called them down, a couple near the older end of middle age shuffled into the parlor. The wife, whose first name I hadn’t yet learned, spoke first. Shewas plump, with closely cropped graying hair and rosy cheeks. “We’re so sorry to impose on you, Ms. Valemont. We appreciate your graciousness in allowing us to take refuge in your home. What a lovely estate it is.”
“We’re pleased to have you stay. We wouldn’t send anyone out into this storm, Mrs. Longfield.” I smiled, and stood, giving me time to shake each of their hands and release a touch of soothing magic. Marshmallow did not find the need to hop off my lap, so he flopped awkwardly to the side and onto Henry. “Please let me know if there’s anything that you want. We’ll have dinner served at 7:00 in the dining hall. Hopefully, the roads will be cleared by mid-morning tomorrow. It’s always hard to know when an extreme storm rolls in. Our staff can provide toothbrushes and pajamas or anything else you’ll need to be comfortable overnight.”
It was, in all honesty, very uncomfortable to have people forced to spend the night in our home. But we were always prepared just in case, and good manners mandated warmth and hospitality in all circumstances.
“You can call me Susan. You’re very gracious. We’re honored indeed,” Mrs. Longfield gushed.Her short graying curls wobbled as she nodded her head. "Isn't this room cozy. The whole house is like a Christmas fairytale. It even smells like Christmas in the bathrooms."
“Oh, yes. Suzy was just telling me she doesn’t think we’ve even been in a hotel nicer than Pemberley, and we’ve traveled all throughout Europe. This place is truly a hidden treasure.” Milo Longfield was just as ingratiating as his wife. He was also a bit portly and with graying hair, but he had a darker complexion than Susan, and a large bushy mustache.
Finagling the art of a polite yet useful conversation about murder without making any accusations outright was tricky. Though I suspected the Longfields were incapable of any crime worse than flattery, I had to be sure.
“I’m so glad you’re comfortable, and I trust you’ll let us know if you need anything. Unfortunately, we’ve had a death on the property this afternoon, and we’re trying to get to the bottom of it.”
“Oh no!” Susan Longfield gasped and clapped her hands over her mouth. “You’ve had a death? It sounds mysterious.”
Henry shifted next to me on the sofa, eyeing Susan curiously.
“Yes, that’s it exactly. A young man was shot, and it may not have been accidental. Unfortunately, the police have no hope of getting here today. So we’re trying to gather any information we can for them. You didn’t see anything strange or suspicious this afternoon, did you?” I asked.
“What a shame. So awful when a young person dies. Let’s piece together the last few hours, shall we, Suzy?” Milo Longfield rubbed his scruffy chin. “We lunched in town and arrived here around 1:00 p.m. You’ll see our rover parked out front in the guest area.”
“Yes,” Mrs. Longfield said, primly folding her hands in her lap. “We took the rover because we knew there are often storms in New England. But not even that can make it through this squall.”
“You thought ahead better than I did with my little sports car,” Henry said.
