Murder on the Minneapolis Read Online Free Page B

would want on the first day at sea is a murder. That would certainly upset the passengers.’
    ‘Murder?’ His eyes glinted with surprise, magnified by his spectacles. ‘Why would you think that?’
    Flora’s confidence waned. ‘I-I don’t know. Maybe Dr Fletcher was right, and he did fall.’ She met his gaze over the top of her teacup. ‘Incidentally, what were you doing up so early?’
    ‘I was on my way to check on Matilda.’ His mouth tilted up slightly at one side. ‘Why? Did you think I was out pushing card sharps down steps?’
    ‘No, of course not,’ she said, mildly exasperated. ‘Unless you lost money to him.’
    His brows lifted. ‘I work too hard to risk my money on games of chance.’
    Flora smiled at this, pleased with the fact he was a man of high moral principle. ‘What was the late Mr Parnell like?’
    Bunny thought for a moment. ‘Early thirties, dark, heavy-featured with thick black hair.’
    Flora had gathered that much for herself. ‘I meant his personality. Aggressive, self-effacing, unassuming?’
    ‘Well, not the last two. He spoke with a Brooklyn accent, but claimed to know London. That didn’t seem likely to me, though I have no reason to disbelieve him.’
    ‘Hmm, what about this lady you told the officer he was with?’ The hot tea helped her relax and she began to enjoy the exchange.
    ‘Ah yes, the actress. A petite, dark-haired girl with pretty blue eyes. Clearly more intelligent than him, so I was surprised they were together.’
    This description sounded nothing like the lady Flora had seen talking to Parnell.
    ‘Was it a high stakes game?’ She poured herself more tea and held the pot up in enquiry.
    He nodded, his cup held out for a refill. ‘Depends what you mean by high. Man named Gilmore lost $1,000.’
    ‘A thousand?’ The handle of the teapot slipped from Flora’s fingers, though she managed to catch it before it hit the table.
    ‘He didn’t seem particularly upset by it. Quite well-heeled, I imagine.’
    ‘That could be ocean liner talk.’ In response to his sideways look she continued, ‘My employers warned me that when separated from our ordinary lives, one’s history can often be embellished.’
    ‘Not Gilmore. His wife’s diamonds were real.’
    ‘Isn’t it bad taste to wear one’s jewels at sea?’ Flora recalled Lady Vaughn’s discourse that sea air spoiled the stones’ lustre.
    ‘Maybe so,’ Bunny said, laughing.
    ‘Had you met them before this trip?’
    ‘I don’t know anyone on this voyage. Except you, of course.’ His smile caused her stomach to perform a strange, lurching flip. She dipped her nose to her teacup to hide the sudden heat that flooded her face.
    ‘I say, I hope you don’t mind my hanging about, treating you like an old friend? He eased forwards, resting his forearms on his thighs. ‘Actually, I wondered about how you left me so abruptly last night. I imagined we were getting along famously. Did I say something to offend you?’
    ‘No, not at all.’ She dropped her gaze to her lap. ‘It’s just that, well, Eddy—’
    ‘Ah, yes, I see. Eddy.’ He nodded slowly. ‘I understand. You’re his governess, aren’t you?’
    ‘Yes. The Minneapolis was the first ship with accommodation available when my employer booked passage.’ Flora did not add that she had felt more comfortable in her third class cabin on the Oceanic during the outward voyage.
    ‘I don’t see why that would send you rushing away like you did. I have very happy memories of my governess.’ He produced a handkerchief from somewhere, removed his spectacles and proceeded to polish the lenses.
    Flora bit back a retort and focused on the tiny red mark the metal bridge had caused on his nose and had to resist the urge to stroke it away. Then she imagined what Lady Vaughn would say about entertaining young men in her suite, reigniting the slow burn in her cheeks.
    ‘Tell me about the other passengers.’ She offered him the plate of biscuits, hoping