Death on a Silver Tray Read Online Free Page A

musical party is guaranteed.”
    She had a teasing gleam in her velvet brown eyes I could not resist. “My lady, your triumph has nothing to do with me and everything to do with your beauty and charm. Why, you are a woman of great achievements. Only think, you have managed the near-impossible feat of prying Perry away from his music sheets and pianoforte.”
    “Now, if only I could persuade the beast to play for us this evening.” Lady Perry gave her chagrined husband’s arm a playful rap with her fan. A silent message of affection seemed to pass between them before she directed her attention back to me.
    “Mr. Brummell, please do stay for a bit after the music. I am serving a light supper and asked Cook to prepare lobster patties when I heard they are your favorite.”
    “Perry,” I exclaimed, a hand over my heart, “I am in love with your wife. You had better beware.”
    “Ah, but Brummell,” Perry said, “ she is not in love with you .”
    We all chuckled. Then, seeing another guest enter the drawing room, Lady Perry excused herself. Perry and I watched her retreating form.
    “You are indeed fortunate to have such a charming partner for life,” I said softly. “But then I have long admired your intelligence.”
    “Thank you. Bernadette is indeed a treasure.” Perry tore his gaze from his wife and turned to me. “Look here, though, I am sorry to tell you Sidwell sent his regrets and is not coming. I collect you would like to question him about that painting by Perronneau you are so intent on owning.”
    I turned a quizzical eye toward Lord Perry. “Whatever can you mean?”
    He waved a hand indicating the room. “It is the talk of the evening that you are adamant about buying the Perronneau that Sidwell commissioned Talbot to sell. I daresay until tonight not a soul knew about the painting, or the auction itself for that matter, as it is rumored to be rather small,” Perry said. “I cannot think who brought it up, but we have all been heartily warned off under the threat of the most dire consequences should we bid against you.”
    Devil take it! I barely stopped myself from groaning aloud. Petersham had gone too far. I had merely wanted him to pass a quiet word that I desired the painting, not become the town crier!
    Out of the corner of my eye I saw a somewhat shamefaced Lord Petersham accepting a glass of wine from a footman. He ducked his head and meandered away in the opposite direction when he saw me. I vowed to switch around his alphabetically arranged jars of snuff the next time I visited his quarters.
    In a cool tone, I replied to Perry, “Yes, I intend on demanding pistols at dawn for anyone who dares cross me.”
    Lord Perry smiled. The conversation turned to his favourite topic, music, and after several minutes we were joined by a short man wearing spectacles. His sandy hair had been pomaded and combed into a simple style, and his neckcloth was tied in an equally simple manner.
    “Mr. Dawlish,” Perry said with satisfaction. “I know you are not much inclined to join social gatherings, but I thought the lure of a musical evening would be too much for you to resist.”
    “Your lordship,” Mr. Dawlish said, making a stiff bow, “I am honored by the invitation. The Bible tells us David would take his harp and play, and Saul would obtain relief from the evil spirits that plagued him. I could not miss an opportunity to hear music from such an instrument.”
    “And I am delighted you are here. I hope to persuade you to share your expertise on the harp’s origins. My quest for musical knowledge never ceases,” Perry told him. “Allow me to introduce Mr. George Brummell.”
    I accepted Perry’s introduction to the Reverend Mr. Cecil Dawlish, the rector of a parish in London, listening with one ear as Perry explained how Mr. Dawlish and he had met at a concert and had subsequently enjoyed numerous spirited conversations about composers and instruments.
    I was preoccupied with Mr.