A Most Agreeable Murder (Beatrice Steele, #1)

by Julia Seales

(Coincidentally, the horse was named Nellie.)

For some reason, the mere thought of losing him filled her with a pain she had never experienced.

“I am not some fainthearted lady who cannot maintain her composure,” Beatrice began. “Trust me, I would never mistake you for one,” Drake shot back. “Just please, let me.”

There were also many animal carcasses that had been gnawed to the bone by something with inhumanly large fangs.

“An inspector with no honor will find himself a goner,”

Your friend Daniel has made that clear.”

“Did no one think to ever ask me what type of man I am looking for?” Louisa suddenly cut in.

‘I do not deserve to have my health, or even my life, for I killed Edmund Croaksworth,’ ” she read. “ ‘Forgive me.’ ”

“Because I resent you!” Louisa cried. Her words rushed out, as if a dam had broken within her. “If you would have just married a wealthy gentleman—like the eldest daughter is supposed to—I

but she lacked the self-awareness to realize that everyone thought her ridiculous.

“Miss Steele,” Inspector Drake said, his voice surprisingly gentle, “I have never considered you foolish.

“Let go of what everyone is supposed to be, and you shall see who they truly are. Let people be who they truly are, and they shall reach their greatest potential.”

“I only hope you afford me the same understanding when you learn my true form,” Mary murmured as Beatrice rushed from the room.

Someone had attacked her. Again. Absolutely ridiculous. But this time she felt no fear, only anger.

The moment I left the room I was so ashamed—you were right. I should have told you everything.”

fear I will explode with passion!”

“If someone just attacked me, but Mr. Ashbrook is dead—” “The killer is still out there,”

I am furious,” Beatrice said. “When I find the killer, it is they who should be scared of me.”

Drake strained against a pair of handcuffs, a beautifully embroidered handkerchief stuffed into his mouth as a gag.

or else she had not truly been aiming to make a fatal blow. Beatrice had to suspect the latter, as Caroline had never been less than perfect at anything.

“But I suspected that you would suspect, which is why I did not face you unarmed.

“Come with me. Together, we would be a force to be reckoned with. The rich gentlemen out there wouldn’t stand a chance.”

He pulled against his handcuffs, the metal eating into his wrists.

“Excuse me,” Beatrice said tartly. “You could thank me for saving your life a second time.”

“I hate to admit it,” Beatrice said, sinking into a seat next to Inspector Drake, “but I rather like her now.”

At the same time, they both said, “I never thought he did it.” They shared a small smile.

“I had to get your attention,” he whined. “It’s not easy to do this, Beatrice. You are always so distracted.”

“So you thought to either marry me or kill me? As always, I am struck by your romanticism, but I can accept neither of these options.”

So if I cannot have you…no one can.”

“I think I’ve always loved you, even if I couldn’t see it before.

“Perhaps we should not be so hasty in letting everyone else decide what is best for us,”

He never held a candle to you.

“You attacked me,” Beatrice said, her voice catching in her throat. “You tried to kill me.”

The ‘A’ stood for ‘Ashbrook’—just not the Ashbrook you made us believe it was. You lied.”

Sophie Beaumont.

but an indication of the Ashbrooks’ dwindling bank account.

“I did the gentlemanly thing.

“Why are you acting so offended, Beatrice?” Daniel asked with a smile. “Be honest: You love murder.” “I love justice. It’s an important distinction,” Beatrice growled.

“That was a slant rhyme, which isn’t even a real rhyme,”

“Leave the evacuation to me. I’ll get everyone out. I’ll take them on my back if I have to.” She took off down the hall at an inhuman speed.

“I thought about my feelings,” Drake said, as if disgusted with himself, “and I kept coming back to Daniel.”

“I mean to say, there is nothing objectionable to your looks.” “You flatter me,” Beatrice said dryly, but her cheeks felt warm.

“A single man in possession of a good fortune sometimes is actually not single. He’s often a total liar.”

“Every respectable mansion has a turret,” she said at Inspector Drake’s astonishment. “Some just don’t make good use of theirs. This one has been boarded up for years. Why?”

“Being a true gentleman isn’t about performing etiquette correctly or having a fortune or proper schooling. It’s about treating others with respect. Being a good person.

Beatrice could not sew to save a life. Only to end one.

Then Miss Bolton pulled something within her hat, releasing a large silk parachute. It ballooned out and filled with air.

and I’m definitely NOT using your letters in order to solve all of my crimes.

Louisa was a blushing, rotund bride, with a bouquet of pink roses grown by Arabella. Frank was a proud groom and managed to keep all his winks for his beloved.

Mary had proven to be the most loyal of companions (and almost equally furry).