Laced with Poison Read Online Free Page B

well.”
    “Really?”
    “And Rose isn’t in the least bit demented, although I hate to use that term. We prefer
     to talk about memory issues rather than dementia. No, Rose is perfectly fine in that
     department, but she does suffer from severe osteoporosis and is all bent over, the
     poor dear.”
    “Oh,” was all Emma could think to say.
    “Look, there’s Charlotte Fanning. I must go say hello.”
    Jessica walked off toward a tall, exquisitely coiffed, champagne blond woman who was
     dripping with expensive jewelry. Emma watched idly as she chewed on one of Lucy’s
     cheese straws. The blond woman stiffened when she noticed Jessica approaching her.
     Jessica smiled and held out her hand, but instead of returning Jessica’s handshake,
     the woman ignored the proffered gesture and instead, turned on her heel and stalked
     away. Jessica was left standing with her hand stuck out in midair.
    What was that all about? Emma wondered. But before she could think about it any more,
     Bitsy came up to her. She had a plate of hors d’oeuvres as well and was nibbling on
     the end of a cheese straw.
    “If I had known
she
was going to be here, I wouldn’t have come.” Bitsy tipped her head toward Jessica,
     who had recovered her aplomb and was filling her plate at the buffet table.
    “Jessica?” Emma said, to be sure.
    Bitsy nodded. “I can’t stand that woman. When we were in college—”
    “Excuse me, dear, but could you lend a hand?” Arabellaput an arm around Emma. “Hello, Bitsy. I’m looking forward to your delicious cupcakes.”
    “I’m sorry, Aunt Arabella.” Emma put her plate down and dabbed at her lips with her
     napkin. “I’ll be right there.”
    “That’s perfectly all right, dear. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. Sylvia and I
     have made any number of sales.” Arabella’s cheeks pinked up from excitement. She wound
     the long blue and white print scarf she was wearing through her hands. “I’m very,
     very pleased. But we do need some help getting that nightgown and peignoir off dear
     Melanie for the trip home.”
    Emma couldn’t help it. She started to laugh.
    “What’s so funny, dear? I do wish you’d let me in on the joke,” Arabella said dryly.
    Emma related the incident with the police on the way to Deirdre’s house, and soon
     Arabella and Bitsy were joining in the laughter.
    Arabella dabbed at her eyes. “Perhaps we should leave the garments on poor Melanie
     then. We don’t want the dear girl getting a ticket for being a public nuisance. That
     would be rather harsh, don’t you think?”
    By the time Emma finished helping Arabella and Sylvia pack up, Deirdre was clearing
     the food from the table.
    Emma picked up a platter that was empty save for a few curls of parsley.
    “Oh, don’t bother,” Deirdre said from across the table where she was stacking dirty
     plates. “Gladys can take care of it.” Deirdre motioned toward a timid-looking red-haired
     girl skulking in the corner. Her face was ghostly white except where peppered with
     ginger-colored freckles.
    “It’s no problem,” Emma said. “I’m happy to help.”
    “Thanks.” Deirdre smiled. “You can leave it on the counter. Gladys can load the dishwasher
     after everyone is gone.”
    Emma leaned against the swinging door to the kitchen and pushed it open. Deirdre’s
     kitchen was as exquisite as the rest of the house with a huge island in the center,
     granite countertops, a brick fireplace and a huge, antique dresser against the far
     wall displaying an impressive collection of china and pottery. French doors led to
     a brick terrace surrounded by well-tended gardens.
    Gladys came into the kitchen behind Emma, her hands full of precariously balanced
     plates. Emma took a stack from her quickly.
    “Don’t want these to fall.”
    Gladys smiled her thanks.
    “Have you worked for Deirdre long?” Emma tried to draw the girl out.
    She nodded mutely. “I help out a few of the other ladies, and I work