Walking into the Breakfast Room the next morning, Daisy by her side, Lady Beatrice was surprised to see the room was empty except for the woman with the buzz cut who had been talking to Brett Goodman last night. Where was the shooting party? She’d assumed they would have an early breakfast before they left. Or had she missed them already?
“Good morning, my lady. Can I get you anything?” William asked as the head footman glided across the room from the serving table along the opposite wall where he’d been filling up the coffee pot.
“No, thank you, William. I’ll help myself to coffee. Has the shooting party not come down yet?”
Having bent down to pet Daisy, the footman straightened up. “They’ve already left, Lady Beatrice. His lordship wanted them on-site early, ready for when it got light. Owen accompanied them with bacon rolls and hot drinks.”
Pressing her lips together, she nodded and made her way towards the coffee pot. She glanced at her watch. Perry and Simon wouldn’t be here for a while. Pouring herself a large black coffee, she turned and paused. It would be rude to ignore the only other occupant of the room. She sauntered towards the table where the petite woman was gazing out of the window.
“Hello. Do you mind if we join you?” Bea asked as she and Daisy stopped by the side of the table.
The woman jumped up. “No, not at all, your ladyship. Please do.”
“I’m Lady Beatrice, Fred’s sister,” Bea said, holding out her hand.
The woman nodded as she took it. “Hi. I’m Eve Morrison.”
“And the little monster sniffing your leg is Daisy.” Bea bent down and gently pulled Daisy away from the woman’s black trousers. “I’m sorry, she’s particularly attracted to colours she can noticeably leave hairs on.”
Eve grinned and squatted down in front of the little white dog. “Hello, Daisy. I’m pleased to meet you.” She ruffled the rough hair on Daisy’s head. “I have a white cat at home, so I’m used to it.” Daisy threw her head up and licked the slim woman’s hand, making her laugh.
I like her already.
Eve straightened up, her blue eyes still sparkling with delight, and returned to her chair while Bea sat down opposite. Daisy curled up on the floor by her feet. “So, Eve. Are you another person who can’t tell me what my brother does, or you’ll have to kill me?”
Eve’s thin eyebrows rose sharply, then a smile slowly spread across her face. “Fred told me his family thinks he’s a spy.”
“And is he?”
“No.”
Bea caught her breath. In all the time she’d been asking everyone who knew Fred if he was a spy, this was the first time someone had given a direct answer. She looked down at her right hand and twirled her rings. I didn’t really think he was, but…
“Are you okay, Lady Beatrice?” There was a hint of amusement in the woman’s voice.
Bea glanced up at her. The twinkle in the woman’s eyes as she met Bea’s gaze made her think again. “Wouldn’t you say that anyway, even if he was?”
Eve Morrison smiled coyly. “Of course.” She picked up her tea and took a sip.
I bet she’s a spy too.
“So you’re not shooting, my lady?”
Bea shook her head. “No, I’m not a big fan, to be honest. In my experience, it’s a lot of standing around in the cold and wet, interspersed with shouting and loud bangs. Half the time it seems like it’s potluck if they hit anything. The dogs do most of the work.” She looked down at Daisy by her feet. She couldn’t imagine her spoilt little dog running around in muddy wet fields. Daisy let out a gentle snore. “You didn’t fancy it then?”
“I have a report I need to write up this morning. I was going to join them this afternoon, but after your description, I might give it a miss…”
Bea raised a hand to her chest. “Oh no, please don’t let me put you off. I’m dreadfully biased. It’s years of sitting in a cold draughty Land Rover looking out over stark fields that’s led me to avoid it. I tried it once. The shoot manager described me as ‘not a natural shot,’ and my father called me a ‘blasted liability’ after I was distracted by a dog when it appeared out of the long grass limping, and I nearly shot the King of Norway. But do give it a try. You may love it.”
Eve grinned. “I might do then.” She glanced at her watch and rose. “Please excuse me, but I must make a call. It was nice to meet you, Lady Beatrice.”
“You too.” Bea watched the slim woman leave the room. Why do I feel like she found out lots about me, but I found out nothing about her?
“Morning!” Simon entered the room, with Perry just behind him. Daisy ran up to greet her two favourite people. Simon bent down and scooped her up, giving her a kiss on the side of her face. “How’s my girl?”
Perry, having patted Daisy on the head while she was in Simon’s arms, hurried over to the table. “Who was that?” he asked. “She looks scary.”
Bea smiled. “That’s Eve Morrison. She works with Fred.”
“Another spy then?” He looked behind him at the door.
“Who’s a spy?” Simon said, returning Daisy to the floor and joining them at the table.
“That woman we just passed with the shaved hair,” Perry told him.
“We don’t know she’s a spy,” Bea jumped in. “I just said she works with Fred.”
“Ah.” Simon nodded. Placing his mobile on the table, he headed off to the breakfast table.
