Again, John David stood. “I trust you enjoyed Chef Dupere’s signature dessert.” We all acknowledged Chef Dupere and gave a small round of applause as he took a bow. “Shall we retire to the drawing room for coffee?”
I didn’t have a bucket list, but if I had, there surely would have been an item that read, At some time in my life, be a guest at a dinner party where the host says, “Shall we retire to the drawing room for coffee?”
Lorca Scarlet still hadn’t returned and I wondered if someone should check on her. Of course, the thing that came to mind was a telltale bloodstain on that immaculate champagne-colored, satin dress. If that happened, there’d be no way in hell to clean it or cover it up.
As we started away, Molly came up beside me and said, “This is so great. Who would’ve ever thought the reclusive vampire would turn out to be such fun?”
“Life is full of surprises. You look incredible tonight.” And she did, wearing a midnight-blue velvet dress with a sheer silk overlay that stopped at the band encircling her hips.”
“This dress was one of my all-time favorites. So, I saved it.”
I looked at her incredulously. “You mean it’s a hundred years old?”
She chuckled. “Yes.”
“You don’t smell like mothballs.”
“Rita, precious, by now you should know. Magic doesn’t smell.”
“Well, I guess that’s true. Say, you know that actress? Lorca Scarlet?”
Molly cocked her head. “Did she say she was an actress?”
“No. She said some stuff about being just in from the continent and being an old friend of John David’s. But I didn’t believe her.”
We’d reached the grand foyer, just outside the drawing room entrance. I touched her forearm, signaling for her to hold back.
“But even though I think she’s a liar, she hasn’t returned since before dessert. Do you think someone ought to check on her?”
“Probably a good idea. I’ll go.”
“Oh. Alright.”
Molly hurried away. I turned to join the others.
“John David,” I said, as he was standing near the drawing room entrance talking to Fie. “So far as I can tell you’ve set the bar on Hallow Hill social events. This is marvelous.”
“You’ll not be getting out of having me to lunch that easily.” His tone was serious, but his eyes were teasing.
“Yeah. No. It’s not a contest. If it was, you win. I give up. Uncle. Uncle. Uncle.”
John David smiled. “Are you having coffee?”
“I would love coffee.” Molly returned without Lorca Scarlet and shook her head. “Excuse me.”
I stepped over to Molly.
“She’s not there.”
“Maybe she’s in another restroom?”
“Maybe.”
“Let’s ask John David.”
I waited until Fie was finished with his story and said, “John David, did Lorca Scarlet leave early?”
“No. Why?” Of course, he looked around the room as if he expected to spot her.
“She didn’t come back to the table after Chef Dupere’s demonstration. Molly went to check the restroom, but she wasn’t there.”
“Oh.” He looked worried.
“She probably got directions from the butler. Is there just one toilette he would’ve sent her to?”
“I believe he would have suggested the one under the stairs.”
“Do you think we should ask him if he’s seen her?”
He nodded, stepped out of the room and said, “Jarvis?” The man appeared instantly out of nowhere so that I almost jumped. “Did one of my guests ask for directions to facilities?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Where did you direct her?”
Jarvis looked confused. “Her, sir? The person I spoke with was an elf. Nice fellow. He’s standing right over there next to the pixie.”
Jarvis pointed at Lochlan.
“No young lady?” I asked.
“No, madam. Just the elven gentleman.”
“Very good. That will be all,” John David told him.
At this point I was thinking it coincidental that one of the guests had mysteriously disappeared, right after dessert, on mystery night.
With narrowed eyes, I said, “Okay. I get it. This is part of the game.”
“Game?” John David showed sufficient surprise to make me question that her absence was planned.
“She said she’s an old friend and that she came to England specifically for a visit with you. So, is she staying here?”
“As a matter of fact, she is,” he answered smoothly.
“Well then wouldn’t it be logical to check her room? Perhaps she isn’t feeling well.”
“That would be the logical thing,” John David agreed.
He recalled Jarvis and asked him to check Ms. Scarlet’s room. The three of us watched as Jarvis climbed the stairs. A few minutes later we were still waiting when he came back into sight. As he began descending the stairs he noticed that we were staring. He stopped and shook his head.
I walked back into the drawing room.
“Alright, everybody! I need your attention.” I used my schoolteacher voice. I’d never been a schoolteacher, but every woman comes equipped with that voice just in case she decides to use her uterus for procreation.
To my amazement, the room quieted. “Look. This is probably not related to the night’s theme. And it’s probably nothing. But Lorca Scarlet left the table before dessert and didn’t return. She’s a guest of John David’s, but she’s not in her room. We’ve also checked the toilette under the stairs. I think we should look for her, just want to make sure she’s okay. And, considering the size of the house, the most efficient way to do that will be in groups.
“John David and Esmerelda are with me. Keir, you’re with Maggie and Mr. Destin. Bren and Braden, take Professor Smite with you. Ivy, and Lily. Fie and Olivia, take Colonel Connolly. Dolan and Molly, you’re on your own. Keep an eye on the others. When you find her, give us a shout. And be careful. There’s a full moon.”
As the little hunting parties formed into their assigned groupings, I turned to John David. “Any ideas?”
“I don’t know any more than the next person. Except that I have access to the work areas in the rear and the servants’ rooms on the upper floor.”
“Let’s assume that everyone else is searching common rooms, should we go up or down? As a good friend of hers, you’re in the best position to guess where she might’ve gone.”
“She’s definitely the adventurous sort,” he said smoothly. “It could go either way, but she’d probably drift in the direction of the action.” He leaned closer like he was sharing a secret. “When I say action, I mean she likes boys and there weren’t any available males at the table.”
“Wow.” Rats. I’d said it again. I felt like I needed to create a punishment piggy and put a tenner in whenever I said the word ‘wow’. “Lead the way.”
I glanced at Esmerelda, who was watching me like a cat watches a mouse.
“You’re not going to help me at all, are you?” I hissed at her. I got the classic Esme expression that left me guessing. It might’ve been a slight smile, or it might’ve been my imagination. “Thanks a lot. When this is over, I’m going to spread it around that you’re a secret bedazzler.”