The Sign of Death (Victorian Book Club Mystery 2)

A third table piled high with stacks of books sat in the very center of the store with the sign E. D. BURTON.

No one sat there.

Amy and William strolled up to the store, hand in hand, and stopped to chat with the two local authors. They also greeted the O’Neill sisters, Lady Wethington and Mr. Colbert, and Mr. Davidson with his ever-present friend, Mr. Rawlings, along with others from the book club.

Mr. Rawlings winked at her.

William nodded to Miss Sterling and Lord Temple and his daughter, Lady Abigail. The store manager, Mr. Dobish, stood in the middle of the chaos and frantically looked around.

The crowd behind them was growing restless, several of them asking about E. D. Burton.

Mr. Dobish cleared his throat and raised his hands to gain the crowd’s attention. “Have no fear, ladies and gentlemen; I was assured by a representative of the publisher that Mr. E. D. Burton will definitely appear this evening.” He checked his timepiece. “We just need to give him a bit more time.”

Amy and William grinned at each other. He bowed to her, took her arm, and walked her to the table with the E. D. Burton sign on it. “My lady.” He pulled out the chair and she sat, placing her folded hands on the table.

William cleared his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you my lovely fiancée, Lady Amy Lovell, also known as Mr. E. D. Burton, murder mystery author extraordinaire.”

The crowd erupted, everyone speaking at once.

Mr. Rawlings sauntered up to them and extended his hand. “Lady Amy, I am the representative of Chatto and Windus for all of Somerset County. It is a pleasure to meet you on a professional basis.”

Amy grinned. “It is nice to meet you in a professional capacity also, Mr. Rawlings.” She took his hand and gave it a sharp squeeze. No one would accuse her of being a mousy woman.

William bent to speak in Amy’s ear. “I have met your one condition, my lady. Plan the wedding.” He winked. “I will plan the honeymoon.”