Lady Marmalade Cozy Murder Mysteries: Box Set (Books 1 - 3) Read online

  CONTENTS

  Title Page

  One - Chapter 1

  Two - Chapter 2

  Three - Chapter 3

  Four - Chapter 4

  Five - Chapter 5

  Six - Chapter 6

  Seven - Chapter 7

  Eight - Chapter 8

  Nine - Chapter 9

  Ten - Chapter 10

  Eleven - Chapter 11

  Twelve - Chapter 12

  Thirteen - Chapter 13

  Fourteen - Chapter 14

  Fifteen - Chapter 15

  Sixteen - Chapter 16

  Seventeen - Chapter 17

  Eighteen - Chapter 18

  Nineteen - Chapter 19

  Twenty - Chapter 20

  Twenty-One - Chapter 21

  Twenty-Two - Chapter 22

  Twenty-Three - Chapter 23

  Twenty-Four - Chapter 24

  Twenty-Five - Chapter 25

  Twenty-Six - Chapter 26

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  BEGGAR'S PARDON

  Jason Blacker

  Copyright © 2016 Jason Blacker

  PUBLISHED BY: Lemon Tree Publishing

  Visit www.JasonBlacker.com to get FREE books and other cool stuff!

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

  Editing: Andrea Anesi

  ISBN-13: 9781927623411

  For my grandmothers who infused Lady Marmalade with warmth and kindness

  ONE

  Chapter 1

  ERIC was sitting at the dining table with the Sunday Times open wide in front of him, his eyes and nose just peeking up above it. Frances came downstairs to join him for breakfast. It was the 2nd of April, 1939. The month before, Lord and Lady Marmalade had celebrated their thirty- sixth wedding anniversary. Thirty-six very happy years, she had said, toasting him with her champagne flute.

  And as she entered the dining room and he looked up at her with a twinkle in his bright blue eyes and a rakish smile on his face, she was certain that another blissful thirty-six years awaited them.

  “Good morning, luv,” he said.

  He got up as she came round and he kissed her on the lips. He folded the paper and put it down off to one side. He was still handsome for his sixty-one years, though his once jet black hair was no longer as black as it had been, but it still had the same natural wave in it as when she had first met him at the start of the new century.

  Frances sat down and looked at him as Ginny entered in her clean white uniform.

  “Would you like a fresh pot of tea, m’lady?” she asked.

  Frances nodded.

  “That would be lovely,” she said.

  “Anything else, sir?” she asked, looking at Eric.

  “No thank you, Ginny, I think that’ll be fine.”

  Ginny left and headed out into the kitchen.

  “Unless you wanted warmer toast,” he said.

  Frances picked a piece out of the toast holder and put it on her plate.

  “It’s still warm enough. Should be just fine. Anything interesting in the news today?”

  Eric looked over at the paper that lay beside him. He picked up the last half piece of toast that was on his plate, slathered it with marmalade, and took a bite.

  “The usual, you know, the world’s going to hell in a hand basket and the political leaders don’t seem to have a clue.”

  Frances looked up at him as she spread butter and then marmalade onto her toast.

  “Just yesterday the Spanish Civil War came to an end. And I’ll tell you, it’s a bad situation. Those fascists have gotten into power and it’ll lead us all into war eventually.”

  Frances put down her knife and took a bite of toast.

  “I thought they were called the Nationalists.”

  “Yes, they are, but underneath their thin facade of nationalism they’re fascist through and through. Mark my words, this Franco chap is going to end up being a dictator.”

  “I thought we quietly supported the Nationalists.”

  “Well, the inept leaders of this country, including that milquetoast Neville, are more scared of the reds than they are of Hitler, so yes, they’re quietly celebrating this victory. But the reds are of far lesser concern than fascism.”

  “Do you think then, that the Republicans would have been any better?”

  Frances was finishing up her first half of the piece of toast when Ginny came back in carrying a silver tray with teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl. Tea cups were already on the table. Frances smiled at her as Ginny poured the tea. One sugar and a splash of cream.

  “Thank you, Ginny.”

  Ginny smiled as she poured tea for Eric. Black with a wedge of lemon which he squeezed into it after Ginny had finished.

  “Thank you. That’ll be all,” said Eric.

  Ginny curtsied herself away.

  “I do think the Republicans would have been far better. They’re far less brutish and in any event, I think this big monster of Communism has a bigger bark than he does have bite.”

  Frances nodded her head.

  “Well, time will show us the error of our ways, won’t it?”

  Eric shoved the last bit of toast into his mouth and chased it down with a sip of tea.

  “Yes, I suppose it will. Though war is very seldom good for business. Any decent business I should add.”

  Frances started on her second half of toast, pausing to sip her tea. Sweet and milky. It reminded her of so many things. Everything was made better with tea.

  “Anyway, enough about politics on the Lord’s day, what are you up to this coming week?” he asked.

  “I’m going up to see Florence Hudnall, she’s been begging me for our marmalade recipe.”

  What most people didn’t know was that marmalade was named after Eric’s great grandfather, the first Lord Marmalade. He was known for enjoying marmalade and for making his own recipes with it. Before that, the English had simply borrowed the French term, marmelade.

  “Oh yes, she’s one of your old school friends, right?”

  Frances nodded.

  “Yes, she’s up in Puddle’s End now. Never been married, which I find strange, she was such a pretty girl in her youth.”

  “Weren’t we all,” said Eric sipping tea.

  “Not likely. I can’t imagine you being a very pretty girl however young you might have been.”

  Eric laughed.

  “Don’t, you almost made me spill my tea. You know what I mean.”

  “I do.”

  “Maybe she didn’t find the right sort of fellow.”

  Frances shrugged.

  “Could be, though I sometimes wonder if it wasn’t rather a choice. And you darling, what are you doing tomorrow?”

  “I’m heading up to Aberdeen for the week. We’ve started a new project out there, hotel and golf course. One of our biggest projects yet and it’s hit a bit of a snag with the local council, so I’m going to see if I can’t go and smooth some ruffled feathers.”

  “I’m sure you will, you’re very good at that.”

  Outside the sun was shining and the lawn was green thanks to all the spring rain they’d received in London so far. The flowers against the far garden wall were starting to bud and soon the wall would be painted with the colors of the rainbow. Frances
took another piece of toast and enjoyed it with more butter and more marmalade.

  The two of them sat quietly in each other’s company, conversation bubbling up and then quieting down. After many years of marriage, the company was more important than the conversation. Though they still had many things to share and talk about. Although there was one area Frances wanted to speak with her husband about, and that concerned their first born, Declan. It was a difficult topic that they had wrestled with before, Frances wanted to try and help Eric come to terms with it, but now wasn’t the time.

  TWO

  Chapter 2

  THE morning train had been quiet and serene. Lady Marmalade had spent most of the time in the dining carriage watching the English countryside drift by. It was lush and green. A heavy mist had enveloped much of England and the train cut through the thick of it as it carried its passengers towards Blackpool. Puddle’s End was the last stop before it ended its journey at Blackpool.

  It was Monday, late morning, when Lady Marmalade had left London. Those who were heading up to Blackpool for work had left much earlier. Her 9:30 a.m. train was filled with young women and children as well as retirees. It was a three and a half hour train ride, straight through the heart of England’s green countryside.

  In a moment of weakness, Lady Marmalade thought of traveling on straight through to Avalon at Ambleside, her home in the Lake District, but her friend was expecting her and she was looking forward to seeing her. It had been a long time since they had gotten together.

  The steam engine pulled into Puddle’s End Station with a huff and slow squeal of its wheels, the conductor informing everyone of the same. It would be a five minute stop before it groaned out of Puddle’s End towards Blackpool.

  Lady Marmalade got off the train, her paisley scarf across her head, wearing a khaki dress suit and brown oxfords. She looked around and saw her friend coming towards her, waving her hand as she did so. Florence was almost a foot taller than Frances and carried it well. Her awkward teenage days were well behind her. She had a kind face that was otherwise nondescript. Not someone you’d remember from a crowd. Her smile was warm and her teeth straight. Her eyes were the same brown that matched her hair which was short and kept in a pageboy. She wore no makeup. There were very few people on the platform and Lady Marmalade’s bags were easy to find.

  “Hello dear,” said Florence as she came up to Frances and they hugged each other.

  “Flo, so lovely to see you again. It’s been too long.”

  “Hasn’t it? Where are your bags, Fran?” asked Florence looking around.

  “I just have this small one and that other larger case over there,” said Frances pointing to the wall where three bags stood still as soldiers.

  “Then let’s get one of these strapping lads to help us with it and be off.”

  Florence walked up to one of the porters at the train station and asked for his help with Frances’ luggage. He was happy to oblige and hauled it all the way to Florence’s Alvis Speed 25 Tourer. Florence tipped the young man and he tipped his cap back in return before heading back to the train station.

  “Lovely car, Florence. It must be new since we last got together?”

  “It is, I got it just last autumn. It’s wonderfully fast and stable,” said Florence, laughing. “Sometimes I think it might be too fast. You drive don’t you?”

  Frances nodded her head.

  “Would you like to drive us home?”

  “No, that’s quite all right,” said Frances. “I’ll leave the driving in your capable hands.”

  They got in and drove away from the station. Puddle’s End is a small community of only a few thousand. As small town or even a hamlet really. Not far from Blackpool, many of those who own the larger estate homes around here work in Blackpool. But that is the exception to the rule. Most of the population both works and lives in and around Puddle’s End.

  “So how have you been since you moved up here?” asked Frances, as they drove along slim winding roads.

  Florence looked at her as she changed gears and drove with determination towards her home.

  “Absolutely wonderful. The English countryside has done wonders for my asthma and the costs are very reasonable.”

  “Why did you leave London?”

  “Well, when my father died a few years ago, he left me some money. All he had, which turned out to be a small fortune really. Well, not like yours, but an amount I could easily live off for the rest of my days quite comfortably. And London wasn’t for me. I’m not a big city girl, I prefer open spaces and countryside and gardens. Besides, my job for the financial firm I was working with was made redundant, so I’ve come out here to live life.”

  “Wonderful, Flo. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Listen,” said Florence, turning to look at Frances. “I have two thoughts for lunch. First, you must be famished. Secondly, would you prefer to head to the Wet Whistle, which is a wonderful quaint and cozy pub just up the road or would you rather have something simple at home? I can make some tea and sandwiches.”

  “I think I’d rather just head to your home Flo and relax for a bit. Then we can get started later this afternoon making some of Lady Marmalade’s famous marmalade.”

  “Super, though why don’t we just relax this afternoon. A friend of mine out here, Ginnie Forsyth, has invited us for dinner this evening at six. She seems wonderful, not sure about her husband, but I said I’d ask if you were up to it. She really is quite excited to meet you.”

  “Sounds lovely.”

  Florence pulled up to her driveway and got out of the car to open the gate. She drove them through, then got back out and closed the gate behind them. Her home was a small but elegant cottage. The front of it green with growing ivy and the grounds were lush and verdant. Her flowerbeds were already well manicured and ready for the bursting colors that would be arriving soon.

  Florence carried Frances’ large suitcase into the house and showed her to the spare bedroom. Its decor was warm and simple. Florence put Lady Marmalade’s bag on the bed and Frances put her smaller case on top of it.

  “This is wonderful, Flo. I’m so happy to be here and to spend time with my dear friend.”

  “I know,” she said, “and no boys to bother us...though I don’t mind Eric.”

  “Neither do I,” said Frances smiling.

  “Come, let’s retire into the living room and I’ll get started with tea and sandwiches.”

  “Nonsense, I won’t just sit around and watch you work. Let’s do it together.”

  “If you insist.”

  “I do.”

  They made their way into the kitchen where Florence took out a loaf of bread from the bread bin, butter that was covered in a butter dish, and a glass jar of marmite.

  “Do you like marmite Fran?”

  “I love marmite.”

  “You’re just like me. I thought we could have marmite and cucumber sandwiches with some nice Earl Grey tea.”

  “Perfect.”

  Florence reached into her icebox and pulled out a single cucumber.

  “Do you have one of those new refrigerators, Fran? I’ve been thinking of getting one.”

  Fran nodded.

  “Eric got us one just a few years ago. Works like a charm. I don’t know how we ever got by without it.”

  “I’m thinking of getting one too.”

  “I would definitely support that. We got one of those monitor-top ones. It’s very spacious and keeps the temperatures more consistent than our old icebox used to.”

  Florence took her bread knife and cut four slices of the whole meal bread.

  “How many sandwiches can you eat, Fran?”

  “Just one. Where is your Earl Grey? I’ll get us started on the tea.”

  “Just up there in the left cupboard. The teapot and teacups are up in the right cupboard.”

  Frances made the two of them a pot of tea and Florence made the sandwiches. They took them out to the living room and sat across from eac
h other. Frances poured them tea and put in her own cream and sugar. Florence handed her the sandwich cut into four triangles. A table lamp on the side table where Florence sat gave the atmosphere in that room a warm glow. Outside it was cool and misty still.

  “Lovely sandwiches. I haven’t tried cucumber and marmite together, but this really works well.”

  “Thanks, Fran, I haven’t tried it either, but I thought I’d give it a try. So glad you like it. It is good, I must say.”

  They sat in silence for a while enjoying each other’s company and eating their sandwiches. When she was done, Frances put the plate on the coffee table in front of her and leaned back into the armchair. Her left hand cradled the saucer while she took a sip of her tea with her right hand. It was a fine bone China teacup with rose flowers on it.

  “Tell me about your friend Ginnie,” said Frances.

  Florence finished up her sandwich and leaned over the coffee table and put her empty plate on top of Frances’.

  “Well, acquaintance really, but she seems very nice. They live in the estate across the road and up a ways. I’ve seen her in town a few times and said hi. She’s had me over for tea once or twice. Nice woman, but shy.”

  “How old is she?”

  “She’s a little younger than we are. Early fifties at most I think. She’s married, her husband’s name is Jack. Not sure exactly what he does, but they must be well off to afford the estate they have. Almost as big as yours at Ambleside.”

  “Did she say what she had in mind for dinner?”

  “No. But I get the impression it’ll be good. I think she likes to impress her guests.”

  Frances took a last sip of her tea and put it down on the table. She picked up the teapot and poured herself a fresh cup.

  “Can I top you up, Flo.”

  “Please.”

  Florence put her cup out for Frances and she got a refill.

  “Nothing like a pot of hot tea to set the mood on such a misty day.”

  Lady Marmalade was looking out into Florence’s back yard, as the mist hung thick and gray like an old man’s beard.

  “Yes, we get a lot of rain up in these parts, especially at this time of year, but it is so good for the garden that I don’t mind much at all.”