No Clue at the Inn (Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery Book 13) by Kate Kingsbury Page A

room, then filled both glasses with cider, one of which he offered Cecily. "This should help warm you. You still look pinched with cold."
    "I am." She took the glass and sipped the golden liquid. "I told poor Raymond to ask Michel for a brandy. He was chilled to the bone."
    "No wonder Michel has ordered such a large supply ofbrandy. It's bad enough he drinks the stuff all day long, but if he's giving it to the staff as well, we shall soon see our profits disappearing in a haze of alcohol."
    Cecily wrinkled her nose at him. "He had to order extra brandy for the Christmas puddings. He told me he would begin steaming them this week. Besides, Raymond had to wait quite some time in the cold air for me. I thought he well deserved a brandy."
    "Raymond is young. His body can adapt much more efficiently than yours."
    "Are you suggesting I am old?"
    "I wouldn't dare."
    "Good. I would hope that you are far too much of a gentleman to remind me that I am older than you."
    "Are you? I'd quite forgotten that."
    She beamed at him. "Darling Hugh. You always know exactly the right thing to say. No wonder Miss Bunkle gazes at you with such adoration in her eyes."
    His contemptuous snort delighted her. She reached for a wedge of cheese and a hunk of bread. "This is so much fun. Like picnicking, only more comfortable. I never did see the enjoyment in sitting in a field tormented by ants and bees."
    Baxter munched on a slice of apple before replying. "I remember quite well that you used to adore sitting in a field with me."
    "Ah, yes, well . . . I wasn't thinking about the ants and the bees then."
    "Am I to take it that the bloom has gone off the romance now?"
    She grinned happily at him. "Nothing could ever takethe bloom from my passion for you, my love. But you must admit, this is so much more cozy than sharing your meal with a herd of curious cows."
    "Indubitably."
    "By the way, you seem to be enjoying my lunch. Did you not eat in the dining room?"
    "I didn't have much of an appetite. I hate dining alone. I did far too much of it in my life."
    "I'm sorry, darling. From now on I'll make every effort to be here at mealtimes. Now let me tell you about our plans for the pantomime. Which reminds me, we need to order a large tree for the library."
    Baxter munched in companionable silence while she divided her time between elaborating on her conversation with Madeline and Phoebe and avidly devouring the delectable offerings on the tray.
    After a while, Baxter leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "Well, did you find anything at the farmhouse to justify your visit?"
    She struggled with her conscience for several seconds before finally blurting out, "I found a hat pin. That's all. Oh, and an empty bottle of cognac."
    He sighed. "Well, I hope you're satisfied. If the constables couldn't find anything to indicate a murder had been committed, I'm sure you won't find anything either."
    "Perhaps, but I don't intend to give up just yet." She dabbed at the corners of her mouth with her serviette. "After all, I promised Emily Wrotham I would find out why her husband lied about working on his afternoon off when he was actually wandering around an abandoned farm for no apparent reason."
    Baxter's eyes turned rather bleak. "Why is it you haveno trouble keeping your promises to everyone except me?"
    She rose at once and hurried to his side. After placing a kiss on his cheek, she murmured, "Because, my darling, sometimes you extract promises from me that are miserably challenging to keep."
    "Only because I care about your safety. I would be lost without you."
    "And I you. So please don't fret so much. I'm really quite good at taking care of myself."
    "I'll remind you of those words the next time you find yourself in dire peril."
    "Piffle. I learned my lesson long ago. I watch my step with the utmost vigilance now."
    "As you have demonstrated today."
    She straightened. "There are times, Baxter, when I'm quite tempted to poke a finger in your eye."
    To her immense