Syrie James

 

CHAPTER ONE

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

December 23rd, 1852

 

It was going to be the most wonderful Christmas house party that Darkmoor Park had ever seen. Ten days of holiday cheer with festive Christmas traditions, delicious food, lovely walks on the grounds, and fine evening entertainments.

Best of all, it would be an opportunity for Selena Taylor to meet new people and make new friends, a pleasant diversion from her duties as a schoolteacher. She looked forward to every minute—even though, for the past few days, she had been troubled by a vague feeling of foreboding that something would go wrong.

“I thought we’d let everyone settle in when they arrive and get reacquainted over dinner tonight,” Selena told her dear friend Mrs. Rose Hillman, who sat in the green velvet wingback chair across from her, beside the front parlor fire. “Tomorrow night is tree decorating. On Christmas morning, we can gather in the drawing room for—”

“Selena! Stop.” Mrs. Hillman waved a silencing hand. “Your students have left for the holidays, my dear. For the next ten days, you don’t have to organize every single minute.”

“I just want everything to go perfectly.” Despite herself, another inexplicable ripple of anxiety raced down Selena’s spine.

“And it will go perfectly,” Mrs. Hillman insisted. “My house parties always do. I would rather you sit back and enjoy yourself, along with all the other guests.”

“But I’m not a guest. I live here.” Selena not only lived at Darkmoor Park, but she was also the heir to the magnificent, ancient estate. A fact that surprised and thrilled her every time she thought about it. Her good fortune was not due to birth or rank, but to the generosity of the genteel widow seated across from her.

“We have six guests coming, and ever so many meals and activities ahead,” Selena continued. “It is too much for you to manage on your own, ma’am.” Although Mrs. Hillman, with her perfectly coiffed copper-and-grey curls, looked a decade younger than her sixty-five years, she had suffered a mild stroke a few years ago, and Selena didn’t want to risk endangering the woman’s health. “Please allow me to join you in serving as a second hostess of your party.”

Mrs. Hillman’s face creased in a warm smile. “Very well, if that’s what you truly wish.”

“Thank you.” Selena exhaled with satisfaction.

“I hope you know how grateful I am, Selena, that you decided to stay home for the holidays instead of going down south,” Mrs. Hillman said as she smoothed out the skirts of her purple brocade satin gown. “I feel a little guilty, though. I know I’m stealing you away your family.”

Selena brushed back a stray, blonde curl from her forehead and gave Mrs. Hillman a reassuring smile. “Don’t be silly. I’m glad to be here.”

In truth, she was a bit regretful to be missing the holiday season in Cornwall with her family. Selena would have loved to have seen Emma, who had been Diana’s pupil when she’d first gone to Pendowar Hall as a governess, and who continued to benefit from Diana’s tutelage. And it had been a year since Selena had seen Diana and William and their daughter, Charlotte, who now was nearly two. She adored children of all ages and wished she could be more present in little Charlotte’s life. But she had sensed that Mrs. Hillman was going to need her over the coming weeks, and that it would be better if she stayed.

Besides, Selena told herself, had she gone to Pendowar Hall, every day in her family’s company would have just been a vivid reminder that, at age thirty, she was the only unmarried—and the least accomplished—sister.

Diana and Athena were both so talented and adept. They had both solved real-life murders. They had married well, had children, helped to run large estates, and still managed to teach. Selena felt so inadequate in comparison. She had only served as Athena’s confidante when her sister had uncovered the deadly secrets at Thorndale Manor. Selena had never solved a murder by herself.

Not that she wanted a murder to occur in her vicinity! But she couldn’t deny it … when she and Athena had been embroiled in those mysterious circumstances two years ago, it had been a thrill …