Gossip Column #28

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“I’m terrified to go out at night!” This came from Lady Lillian Grey, an elegantly dressed lady in her mid-30s. She was sitting at a table with a group of friends. They had covered every available space with newspaper articles about the latest Ripper killing.

“Every night I make the servants triple check that all the doors and windows are locked, and the curtains tightly drawn. Roger thinks I’m being ridiculous, but I think a person can’t be too careful!” Several of her dining companions nodded in agreement.

“I am however at a complete loss as to what to do about my upcoming social engagements. I’m meant to be attending Mary’s ball tomorrow night, escorting Clara  (Lady Grey’s daughter) to dinner at the Todds’. Their son has recently returned from a tour of the Continent and I do think he and Clara would get along so well!   And Emma is hosting her annual “End Of Summer Garden Party” which always goes on until well after dark!

“I would have thought that everyone would might have taken circumstances into consideration and agreed to end their respective festivities well before sundown. But when I spoke to Emma about this she said that her ‘Music Under the Stars’ program, which always comes at the end of her party, simply wouldn’t be the same if it was the ‘Music That Has to Be Performed Before the Stars Come Out Because Someone Thinks She’s Going to Be Murdered By a Killer Who’s Currently Over 90 Miles Away’ program.”

A fellow diner sniggered. “Actually, I think the safest place in England might be Emma’s Garden Party! I’d give her five minutes before she’d have Jack heaping abundant praise on her roses and helping her decide which wallpaper to use in her new parlor.”

“And as if that’s not bad enough,” Lady Grey went on as if she hadn’t heard,  “my dress maker has informed me that the blue silk that exactly matches the feathers Miss Beth used to trim my summer hat and was meant to arrive last week is only just arriving today! That means there’s a chance she won’t have my dress ready for Emma’s garden party!”

“The party which you weren’t planning on attending because it was going to go on into the evening?” Inquired Sarah Jane, who was seated on Lady Grey’s left. 

“Do you think,” Lady Grey went on, ignoring Sara Jane’s snide remark and determined to continue until she got to what she felt was the heart of her conundrum, “that people would be very offended if I turned down dinner and party invitations until this murderer is apprehended?”

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Previously: Murder Is Good for Business – Part II