Murder at Missleberry Manor

Part 8

Cecilia surveyed herself in the mirror and couldn't help but giggle in excitement even after the day she'd had. She was finally wearing her dress and she couldn't be happier with it. She'd been laced as tightly into a corset as was physically possible and although she wasn't quite sure how she was going to eat anything this evening, the effect it had on her already rather small waist made it all worthwhile. This had been followed by a number of ruffled turquoise petticoats and then the piece de resistance; a silk over-gown in numerous shades of blue and black and dotted with glittering constellations. The gown was open from the waist down at the front allowing the petticoats to remain visible, while the three quarter length sleeves were tipped with more of the turquoise tulle.

She swayed from side to side, relishing the movement of the fabric. Her mind drifted to Freddie's possible reaction at seeing her in this dress. She allowed herself a few minutes of fancy wherein he took one look at her and declared his undying love for her before she brought herself back down to earth.

While today had certainly done nothing to diminish her feelings for him there'd been no indication that he felt anything more than friendship for her. And that was fine. All she wanted to do now was put the whole business of the murder behind her and enjoy the party. She hadn't heard from Freddie since she'd left him outside and could only hope that Mrs Hanbury and her cohort had been arrested and taken down to the police station by now. But there was only one way to find out.

She glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. There was just enough time to pop in and see Lizzie before she went down.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

The drawing room was already bustling with people when Cecilia entered. She took a moment to marvel at the costumes. Some people had gone a similar route to herself and Lizzie and taken inspiration for their costumes from the physical appearance of the cosmos: the stars, the planets, the moon and the sun. Others had gone a more classical route dressing as the Greek or Roman embodiments of particular planets or constellations. There was even a Great Bear.

Cecilia took a glass from a passing waiter and wandered over to the double doors which led out onto the terrace. They'd been thrown open allowing the heady scent of the lavender outside to drift through the party. A few of the guests had already made their way out onto the gently sloping formal lawns to enjoy the early evening sun. Sipping her drink Cecilia closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sun's rays.

A new voice reached Cecilia's ears even over the hubbub from the rest of the guests. Mrs Hanbury's voice. Cecilia spun around and there she was on the arm of her husband and talking to Mrs Woodworth like she didn't have a care in the world.

Nobody else seemed perturbed by her presence. Had Freddie not told anyone what she'd overheard after all? Or had the people he told just not believed him? She scanned the room until she found him, in the far corner in conversation with his father and an elderly couple. Mr Woodworth seemed to be surveying the room as a whole but Cecilia was sure his gaze was flickering back towards Mrs Hanbury a little more frequently than normal. Freddie, on the other hand, was watching Cecilia and when their eyes met he gave her a small smile and inclined his head to the right. She followed the direction and saw that the detective was here as well, ostensibly as a guest if his glass of champagne was anything to go by, but also keeping a close but unobtrusive eye on Mrs Hanbury.

Cecilia lifted her glass to him in understanding. So this whole business wasn't quite finished yet.

Cat appeared beside her in her own resplendent costume and Cecilia vowed to put Mrs Hanbury from her mind. Freddie was right, she'd done more than enough.

"Watch out for Lawrence Highmore," said Cat quietly, a look of distaste on her face. "He's being particularly lecherous tonight and only seems interested in those of us under twenty-five. We're all trying to keep an eye out for each other in case anyone looks like they need to be rescued."

"Good to know," replied Cecilia. "How do your parents know him anyway?"

"Mr Hanbury introduced him to Father and now they do business together. Something else we can thank the Hanburys for."

Cat's disgusted expression suddenly morphed into a joyous one as a couple walked in followed by a young man dressed as Mars, the god of war.

"Is that your mysterious Mr Foster?" Cecilia asked. "You'd better not waste your time with me then. But I will be filling Lizzie's position later and sharing lots of your embarrassing stories with him."

Cat shot her an unamused glance and then darted off to greet him.

Looking around Cecilia saw that Freddie was still talking to the old couple in the corner although his father had moved on. Even as she looked at him he glanced at her and winked.

Still smiling she headed over to the buffet table. Food hadn't been high on her list of priorities today and now she was ravenous and thankfully the Missleberry kitchens did not disappoint. Loading her plate up with crab legs, devilled eggs, quiches and more she joined a group of Lizzie's cousins over by the door.

While they chatted and ate Cecilia kept an eye out for Freddie, hoping he'd come and join them but he seemed to be doing his dutiful rounds of the elderly relatives and family friends. Nevertheless their gaze met too many times to be coincidence and it gave her a warm feeling to know he was watching out for her.