A Devious Lot (Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Book 5) Read Online Free Page A

woman he met only months ago to marry him, but in all the time he was with Tiffany he never proposed?”
    “I’m afraid so,” Tessa said. She poured the eggs into the pan and gently pulled them apart as they cooked. When they were nearly done, she turned the burner off, removed the pan from the stove top, and finished scrambling the eggs. “I wish Tiffany would be sensible and go back to London. It does seem pointless, her staying here, now that they’re engaged.”
    She spooned the eggs onto a platter with the sausage. Matt took it from her and put it on the table. Gingersnap curled up on the rug by the door.
    “Who’s the kitty?” he asked.
    “Her name is Gingersnap,” Molly said. “She belongs to Tiffany. And before you say a word, you don’t have to remind me a cat never really belongs to anyone.” She turned to Tessa. “Is Channing Hall open to the public these days? Because if I remember correctly, only the garden was open for tours.”
    “No, Brenda still won’t allow anyone in the house, just the garden,” Tessa said.
    Matt looked confused. “What’s Channing Hall?”
    “An old English country manor house,” Molly said. “I’d love to get a look inside.”
    Tessa smiled. “Well, it so happens, you’re in luck,” she said. “Brenda’s invited us all to tea at four o’clock this afternoon. Before we go, I thought we might do some shopping in the village. I’d love to introduce you to some of my neighbors, and we could go on a scenic drive afterward and have lunch somewhere. We’d be back in plenty of time for tea. What do you think?”
    “Sounds good to me,” Molly said, and Matt agreed.
    When they’d finished breakfast, Molly and Matt insisted Tessa enjoy her coffee while they cleaned up. As Molly rinsed off the dishes and Matt put them in the dishwasher, there was a knock at the back door. The sound startled Gingersnap, who leapt to her feet.
    Tessa said, “I expect that will be Reggie, my gardener.”
    “Stay where you are. I’ll get it,” Matt said.
    He opened the door, and Gingersnap shot past the man in the doorway. He jumped back, and Molly heard him mutter under his breath, “Darn cat.”
    “Good morning, Reggie,” Tessa said.
    Reggie was in his mid-fifties with a stocky build and a hard ruddy face. His faded brown anorak looked well-worn, and his jeans were stuffed into muddy boots.
    “Good morning, ma’am,” he said.
    Tessa made the introductions and Matt offered his hand. Molly remained at the sink but gave him a little wave with a soapy hand. “Nice to meet you,” she said.
    Reggie nodded silently and turned back to Tessa. “I need to borrow some tools from the shed,” he said. “Brenda wants me to plant some flowers she got from Mrs. Reedy. You know how she is. Her Royal Highness wants it done today.”
    A smile tugged at the corners of Tessa’s mouth. “Now, now, Reggie, be kind. By all means, plant her flowers. We want her to tell everyone what a wonderful gardener you are. Don’t give her a reason not to be generous with her praise.”
    Reggie frowned. “You don’t need to remind me I’m beholden to her.”
    “Oh, no! I didn’t mean to imply you’re beholden to her,” Tessa said quickly, but Reggie scowled and didn’t look convinced. “Would you like a coffee?” she asked.
    “No, thank you,” he said.
    “What about breakfast?” she persisted. “I can make a plate for you.”
    “No time, but thanks all the same. I just wanted to let you know about the tools and where I’d be going,” he said. He nodded to Matt and Molly and closed the door behind him.
    “Well, he’s no chatterbox,” Molly said.
    Tessa sighed. “Reggie’s a bit rough around the edges.”
    “Sounds like he’s not a big fan of Brenda’s,” Molly said.
    “I don’t know why, but he’s developed a bad attitude about her,” Tessa said. “She has a legion of gardeners at her beck and call, an entire lawn company out of Keensburg, but she’s been good to him,