The Scarlet Wench Read Online Free

the vehicle and he adjusted the seat for his long legs, Nora wondered how he really felt about his beloved sister’s marriage. Ian Travers was a decent guy and a good detective who had acted more than fairly last autumn when Simon had fallen under suspicion of murder. Still, Nora thought the new situation would take getting used to for Simon.
      “The Dentons play the neighbor couple, right?” Simon asked.
      Nora pulled lip balm from her sweatshirt pocket and applied it liberally. “Rupert and Lydia; she uses her maiden name, Brown, on stage. Married for decades.”
      Simon grinned. “You really soak this stuff up, don’t you?”
      Nora shrugged. “I used to work for a magazine that coveted details of any kind of celebrity. It sticks. And I’ve always loved the theatre. Have you heard from Kate today?”
      “She’s having fun in Paris. I don’t expect to hear from her again until they’re in Provence next week.”
      They drove on the cobbled street uphill toward the church, passing The Scarlet Wench Pub. “Look at that.” Simon pointed to the banner that hung over the door: Welcome Lange’s Traveling Theatre Troupe .
      Nora clapped her hands, making Sean squeal in response. “Daisy said she hoped you’d bring the group there. I know it’s one of your favorite places, but I’ve never asked you how the pub got its name.”
      “In the 1860 s when you lot were having your Civil War, the lake froze and people walked or skated across it. Some locals crossing the deep middle claimed they saw a headless woman under the ice, wearing a red dress and waving to entice them to drown with her. Daisy named the pub after the legend.”
      Nora gave an exaggerated shudder. “Brutal.”
      “Probably some idiot’s scarf, lost before the water froze.”
      “So cynical. And all this time I had you down for a romantic.”
      “I’ve become much more practical—” He stopped to allow an elderly woman to cross the street. “—which is why this theatre troupe is such a bloody good idea.”
      The tenor of his voice struck Nora; she felt a glimmer of revelation. “Simon, is Ramsey Lodge in financial trouble?”
      Silence as the woman reached the sidewalk. Then a casual shrug of his shoulders.     “Not deep trouble, just getting too close to our overdraft for my comfort.”
      Nora’s stomach tightened. She’d been so wrapped up in Sean these past months. Did their presence add to the strain? She remembered pledging her silence to Simon about the fact that he was fronting half the prop rental for the play, an expense he thought justified, as the lodge would get a cut of the ticket sales. Just how badly off was the lodge? “I didn’t realize, Simon. If there’s anything I can do … ”
      They pulled up in front of the medieval church.
      “There is one thing you can do, Nora.”
      “Name it.”
      “Pray this play is a rousing success and brings new life to Ramsey Lodge.”
      He left the car, whistling a cheery tune that didn’t fool Nora for a minute. She thought back over the winter. Bookings were down, but she’d attributed that to the rhythms of the tourist season. While Simon coming under suspicion in last October’s murders certainly had an effect on November bookings, she’d not spent a winter there before and so had thought the holiday season sent tourists to warmer spots. How could she not have realized her good friends were hurting? She doubted Kate was fully aware. It would be just like Simon to keep this downward trend from his sister, especially when she’d been caught up in the whirl of planning her wedding.
      Simon retrieved the wheeled base of the buggy and helped Nora set the bucket seat. She thanked him for the ride, as it would have been the uphill walk; going home would be downhill, requiring a death grip on the buggy and giving her a good workout for her stomach and leg muscles. She feared she’d never get that small roll by her waistband to