Murder at the Mayfair Hotel Page 27

  “I know you’re buttering me up, Miss Fox,” she said, not unkindly. “But it so happens that I agree with your assessment of Harry’s character. I’ve always thought he could be so much more than manager for that fellow.” Too late, she realized the fellow she was referring to was my uncle. She blushed but did not apologize.

  I pretended not to notice. “It’s a new century,” I said. “It’s the right time for beginning a new adventure. And becoming a private detective is much better than joining the army.”

  Her eyes widened in alarm. “The army! Good lord, Harry, don’t you dare.”

  “So you agree it’s a good idea?” he asked her.

  She got up and patted his cheek. “I do, as long as your father agrees.”

  The inspector put his hands in the air. “I think it’s already been decided.”

  It would seem the decision maker in their relationship was Mrs. Hobart, and their son knew it.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Miss Fox, I have dinner to prepare,” she said.

  I assisted her to pick up the teacups and placed them on the tray then handed the tray to her. “Thank you for the pleasant afternoon, Mrs. Hobart.”

  The inspector rose after his wife left. “Nicely done, Miss Fox. Nicely done.”

  “I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

  “Human nature.” He tapped the side of his nose. “Harry, see Miss Fox to the door. I’d better talk to your mother.”

  Mr. Armitage signaled for me to walk ahead of him into the hallway. “I feel as though I owe you a debt for convincing my mother,” he said as he reached for my coat on the stand by the front door.

  Now that was what I wanted to hear. “In that case—"

  “But if you try to call in the debt, I’ll be reminding you that you cost me my position at The Mayfair.” He handed me my coat but did not let go. He leaned down and spoke in a low voice. “We’re even.”

  He let go of the coat, smiled tightly, and opened the door.

  I took the hint and stepped over the threshold. He closed the door behind me.

  I walked off, feeling lighter than I had since my grandmother’s death. He hadn’t slammed the door in my face, so that was a good sign. Now all I had to do was convince him I’d make an excellent assistant in his new venture.

  No, not assistant. A co-investigator. We could call ourselves Armitage and Fox Investigations. I’d let him think his name was first because he was a man, but in truth, it was simply because A came before F. His pride wouldn’t let it be the other way around.

  Yes, Armitage and Fox Investigations had a nice ring to it. Now all I had to do was convince him and my family that it was a marvelous idea for me to join him.

  * * *

  Available 1st June 2021:

  MURDER AT THE PICCADILLY PLAYHOUSE

  The 2nd Cleopatra Fox Mystery

  A Message From The Author

  I hope you enjoyed reading MURDER AT THE MAYFAIR HOTEL series as much as I enjoyed writing it. As an independent author, getting the word out about my book is vital to its success, so if you liked this book please consider telling your friends and writing a review at the store where you purchased it. If you would like to be contacted when I release a new book, subscribe to my newsletter at http://cjarcher.com/contact-cj/newsletter/. You will only be contacted when I have a new book out.

  Also by C.J. Archer

  SERIES WITH 2 OR MORE BOOKS

  Cleopatra Fox Mysteries

  After The Rift

  Glass and Steele

  The Ministry of Curiosities Series

  The Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy

  The 1st Freak House Trilogy

  The 2nd Freak House Trilogy

  The 3rd Freak House Trilogy

  The Assassins Guild Series

  Lord Hawkesbury's Players Series

  Witch Born

  SINGLE TITLES NOT IN A SERIES

  Courting His Countess

  Surrender

  Redemption

  The Mercenary's Price

  About the Author

  C.J. Archer has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She spent her early childhood in the dramatic beauty of outback Queensland, Australia, but now lives in suburban Melbourne with her husband, two children and a mischievous black & white cat named Coco.

  Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter through her website to be notified when she releases a new book, as well as get access to exclusive content and subscriber-only giveaways. Her website also contains up to date details on all her books: http://cjarcher.com She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through email cj@cjarcher.com or follow her on social media to get the latest updates on her books: