Murder at Griffidonce Manor

Chapter 1 The Guests Arrive

Chapter 1
The Guests Arrive

Thunder rolls over the hills of England; Mr and Mrs. Graves were invited to a party hosted by Ms. Griffidonce.
"Theodore," said Mrs. Graves.
"Yes my dear," Mr. Graves replied.
"Why did you insist on going to this stupid party; you know I don't like Miss Griffidonce."
"You need to get out of the house, you're going crazy locked up in there."
"Well, this is going to make it worse."
"Would you please give it a try?"
"I'll do my best."
"Thank you."
"We're here!" yelled the stagecoach driver.
Mr. & Mrs. Graves stepped off the stagecoach and headed for the door. Mr. Graves knocked on the door twice. The Butler opened the door and said," Welcome to The Griffidonce Manor; please come in." Mr Graves, being the gentlemen that he is, let Mrs. Graves go in first then he entered.
"May I take your coats?"
"Why thank you," Mrs. Graves said as she put her coat on his arm.
"If you will please follow me I will escort you to the Billiard Room."
As they were being escorted; Mrs. Graves looked wonderously around the hall and admired the design of the light Proper English Etched Damask Wallpaper, with a French Empire Crystal Chandelier hanging from the cathedral ceiling and the stair's made of a beige stone led to the second story of the manor. The Butler opened the door to the Billiard Room and said,"You can help yourself to a drink, or I can take any special requests before dinner."
"Could I have a Vinho do Porto please," said Mr. Graves.
"Of course, how about you Mrs. Graves, any requests?"
She sighs"No, nothing in mind."
"How about a Jackson's Early Grey Tea, or perhaps a Harrods White Darjeeling," offered The Butler.
"Actually, I'll have a Harrods White Darjeeling."
"I will have to you as soon as I can."
"Thank you," replied Mr. Graves.
The Butler closed the door as he left.
As he was walking, someone was knocking at the door; The Butler walked towards the door and when he opened it, Mr. Whitham was standing there with his black top hat and black silk coat; with black and grey striped khakis.
"Ah, you must be Mr. Whitham I presume; won't you please come in.
"Thank you," said Mr. Whitham
"My what an exquisite home Miss Griffidonce has; is that an French Empire Crystal Chandelier?
"The finest my madame could find."
"Just magnificent," said Mr. Whitham.
"If you could please follow me to the Billiard Room please."
"Of course."
The Butler escorts Mr. Whitham to the Billiard Room where Mr. & Mrs. Graves are waiting. The Butler opens the door and Mr. Graves is drinking a glass of Scotch and Mrs. Graves is looking out the window.
"Ah, Albert, how are you doing?" Mr. Graves said.
"I'm doing fine, and how about you." replied Mr. Whitham.
"I'm doing the same you know, still trying to run the factory."
"Still running that factory, Theodore?"
"The only thing that makes me money is that toy factory."
"Any requests, Mr. Whitham?"
"No I'm fine, but thank you."
The Butler closes the door and walks towards the kitchen. The Butler pours a glass of
Vinho Do Porto, a Portuguese fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. It is typically a sweet, red wine, often served as a dessert wine though it also comes in dry, semi-dry, and white varieties. Then The Butler makes some Harrods White Darjeeling; a tea from the Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. It is available in black, green, white and oolong. When properly brewed, it yields a thin-bodied, light-colored infusion with a floral aroma. The flavor can include a tinge of astringent tannic characteristics, and a musky spiciness sometimes described as "muscatel". The Butler puts the drinks on a tray and carries the drinks to the guests. He walked carefully towards the Billiard Room for he knew that if he dropped one little drop of alcohol on the white tile flooring; it would destroy the reputation of the Griffifdonce's. He entered the Billiard Room with Mr. & Mrs. Graves's drinks.
"Why thank you sir," Mrs. Graves said.
Another knock at the door and The Butler goes to retrieve the door. As he opens the door, he see's Mr. & Mrs. Veitch at the door. Mrs. Veitch wearing a beautiful beige long bodice dress with her dark dirty blonde hair matching her light midtone skin. Then Mr. Veitch wearing a black tail coat with a grey vest with a black tie, and white button up shirt. With black khakis. He is very pale to be wearing dark colored clothes.
"Why hello, Mr. and Mrs. Veitch, please come in."
"What a lovely home Miss Griffidonce has," said Mrs. Veitch.
"I do agree, the Manor was built in 1807 for Miss Griffidonce's parents who have passed away and has inherited the money, the factory, and of course, the Manor."
"Wow, I never knew that," said Mr. Veitch.
"Yes, now if you would follow me; I will escort you to the Billiard Room," said The Butler.
The Butler led Mr. & Mrs. Veitch to the Billiard Room. The Butler opened the door and Mr & Mrs. Veitch were welcomed.
"Hello! How are you Samantha!" Mrs. Graves said outgoing.
"I am am doing absolutely splendid , and how about you?" replied Mrs. Veitch.
"I'm doing fine, but you know how much time I spend time indoors writing my story."
"Oh yes, how is your story coming along?"
"Very well, I am at the part where Vinessa steals Jamie's husband."
"Ohh, I bet it will be a marvelous story."
"I hope so," said Mrs. Graves.
"Ladies and gentlemen; one more guest has not yet to arrived so it will be a little longer wait. Is that okay?" said The Butler.
"Thats fine," everyone said.
"But wait, where's Miss Griffidonce?" said Mr. Whitham.
"She will be down momentarily; she is applying her make-up," replied The Butler.
"Oh... Okay," said Mr. Whitham.
The Butler closed the door and went to check on dinner. As he walks through the hall; he hears rain tapping on the window's in the hall.
"Dear me," said The Butler,"I do hope Miss Halford gets here safe."
In just a couple of minutes, someone knocked on the door. The Butler went to see who it was, and there she was, Miss Halford with her black mourning dress with a veil attached to a bonnet.
"I am very sorry to appear like this, but nothing was to where on such a sad week like this one," said Miss Halford.
"It is quite alright; we do understand your time of mourning, and I am dreadfully sorry about your husband. He was such a wise and brilliant man." replied The Butler.
"Thank you."
"Please do come in." said The Butler
As she entered, it began to pour down rain.
"Looks like you made it just in time, madame." said The Butler,"Now if you please follow me, I will show you to the Billiard Room where everyone is waiting."
"Alright," replied Miss Halford.
The Butler led Miss Halford to the Billiard Room.
"What a beautiful Manor Miss Griffidonce has," said Miss Halford
"You're not the first to say," replied The Butler.
As he opens the door, everyone was chatting and laughing; it seemed like everyone was having a good time. Everyone of coursed welcomed Miss Halford.
"Hello Miss Halford, how are you holding up?" asked Mr. Graves.
"I am doing well, thank you for asking." replied Miss Halford.
"Now if you will excuse me, I will go get Miss Griffidonce.
"Okay," everyone replied.
The Butler closed the door and walked down the hall towards the stairs. As he is walking up the stairs, a big flash of lightning struck and lighted the cathedral room with a big roar from the thunder. The Butler turned towards the window and looked outside.
"Looks like we are going to have a big one this evening." said The Butler as he continues up the stairs. When he reached the top of the stairs; he walked down a hall filled with portraits of the Griffidonce family from her great grandmother till today. He is walking on a wine red rug leading towards the end of the hall. The Butler knocks on Miss Griffidonce's door.
"Come in," replied Miss Griffidonce.
"Everyone is here; they are awaiting in the Billiard Room."
"Alright, let's go," Miss Griffidonce said while applying her lipstick. As they walk down the hall The Butler says,"It is storming madame; shall we give them a room for the night just in case the roads flood?" said The Butler.
"Yes, but only if the roads flood."
"Of course my lady."