Sheer Folly by Carola Dunn Page B

later this evening. I had gaslights put in, you know.”
    â€œDid you really? I’d like to see it.”
    â€œI think you’ll find the effect quite . . . interesting.” Pritchard’s tone had suddenly become mysterious, even creepy. “I’ll have it prepared.”
    â€œThank you.” Daisy went after the rest of the ladies.
    How odd, she thought. Could anything be more prosaic than plumbing? Or manufacturing? A creepy manufacturer of plumbing supplies seemed like a contradiction in terms. All the same, she was jolly well going to drag Lucy out into the frosty night to accompany her to the grotto, like it or not.

 
SEVEN
    Daisy’s call
came through quite quickly. Barker summoned her before the men rejoined the ladies in the drawing room. He led the way across the front hall.
    â€œThe master said to use the apparatus in his den, madam,” he said, opening a door.
    â€œThank you, Barker.” Pritchard’s den, at a glance, resembled any country gentleman’s private retreat. Somewhat to her disappointment, she saw no obvious reminders of plumbing, historical or modern, just a large leather-topped desk, leather-covered chairs by the fireplace, several bookcases. She promised herself a quick look at the books after her call. It wasn’t nosiness, she assured herself, just her usual inability to resist satisfying her curiosity about people. Reading a few titles wasn’t snooping.
    She sat down at the desk.
    â€œIf madam would be so kind as to hang up the receiver when the call is finished . . .”
    â€œOf course,” said Daisy, surprised.
    â€œI beg madam’s pardon for mentioning the matter, but the fact is, one of our present guests never does so.”
    â€œLord Rydal? It would be just like him!”
    â€œFar be it from me to contradict madam. Will that be all, madam?”
    â€œYes, thank you, Barker.” Daisy picked up the phone. “Alec? Darling, we arrived safely.”
    â€œSo I gather.”
    â€œYou do sound grumpy. Bad day at work?”
    â€œSo-so. I got home early enough to play with the twins, for once. It would have been nice if you’d been there, too. Mrs. Gilpin was at her most difficult.”
    â€œShe always is when I’m away.”
    â€œWhat’s more, I’m going to have the weekend free, barring trouble, and you’re off in the wilds of Wiltshire.”
    â€œDo come down, darling. Mr. Pritchard’s invited you, without my saying a word on the subject. He’s rather a nice little man.” Daisy remembered the creepy feeling and added, “I think.”
    â€œYou think? What does that mean?”
    â€œI don’t know exactly. I can’t explain, not on the phone. It’s nothing really.”
    â€œI’m coming down, as soon as I can get away.” Alec’s tone said,
I’m a policeman, don’t argue with me
.
    â€œOh, good!”
    â€œRing me every evening till I arrive. Not before Saturday afternoon, I’m afraid. And if I find you’re making a mystery just to get me to come—”
    â€œDarling, I wouldn’t! Oh, by the way, the invitation is for Gerald as well. Could you ring him, and if he can manage it, you could drive down together.”
    â€œI can’t see squeezing him into the Austin.”
    â€œWhy not? If you can fit Tom Tring in, you can fit Gerald.”
    â€œI was thinking more of his dignity than his size.”
    â€œGerald’s not that fussy! But let him drive.”
    â€œThen the Bincombes would have two cars there, and we’d have none.”
    â€œThat’s all right. I’ll go back to town in luxury in Gerald’s Daimler, and you can have the grand adventure of being driven by Lucy.”
    â€œNot on your life! I’m too fond of mine. I’ll ring him and we’ll work it out one way or—”
    â€œCaller, your three minutes are up. Do you want another three