The Sign of Death (Victorian Book Club Mystery 2)

Lacey entered the room and held out an envelope to Amy. “My lady, this just came in the post for you.”

“Thank you.” Amy took the missive from Lacey and looked up at William. “It’s from my publisher.” She opened the envelope, and her eyes scanned the note. She groaned and covered her eyes with her hand.

“What is it?”

“They are insisting that I appear at the Atkinson and Tucker book festival as E. D. Burton.”

* * *

“You can’t possibly do that!” Aunt Margaret looked aghast as Amy clenched the paper in her hands.

“I know. I shall refuse.” Amy folded the wrinkled note back up and returned it to the envelope.

“Just a moment,” William said. “There might be a clause in your contract that gives them the right to force you to do this.”

Amy and her aunt stared at the man. “Whatever do you mean?”

William shrugged. “I am somewhat knowledgeable about publishing contracts, and it is possible they can do that. Do you have a copy of one of your contracts? If you don’t mind, I would like to take a look at it.”

“My papa’s solicitor gave his approval.” Her papa was nothing if not thorough. She studied William, realizing that there was no reason he couldn’t have a look at the contract and that to continue to refuse was childish and ridiculous. “Very well, I have the contracts upstairs in my room.” She stood and shook out her skirts. “If you will excuse me.”

Was it possible that her publisher could force her to appear as E. D. Burton? She had insisted several times on anonymity when she sold her books to them. Mr. Gordon, with whom she’d dealt since the beginning, had assured her that her identity would remain anonymous. It had been one of her requirements when she signed—the only way she could get Papa’s permission to sell her manuscript. As an adult, she should have been able to sign her own contracts without getting approval from Papa first.

She yanked opened the drawer of the desk in her small office next to her bedchamber and pulled out the top contract. She made her way back downstairs just in time to hear Lacey announcing lunch.

The three of them made their way to the dining room. Wonderful smells greeted them, reminding Amy again how hungry she was. She handed William the contract as they sat at the table. He took it from her and nodded. “I will look at this once we finish our meal.”

A beautiful whitefish with capers in a creamy sauce, roasted potatoes, and carrots had Amy’s stomach rumbling and immediately drew her attention. Cook had also provided a jellied salad and fresh rolls.

“I thought vegetarians didn’t eat fish,” Aunt Margaret said as she eyed Amy’s plate.

“Actually, I am the type of vegetarian that eats fish.” Amy glowered at William’s smirk. She tried her best to follow the vegetarian lifestyle and had no problem eschewing meat, but she had no intention of giving up fish also.

Apparently they were all hungry, because they dove into their food with very few comments as they ate. A few This is very goods and Please pass the salts were about all that was said. Good manners held that nothing distressing be discussed while dining. Naught was said about Amy’s contract, since, if William found anything that allowed her publisher to force her to appear as E. D. Burton, that would ruin the entire meal.

Once the food had been consumed and they were left with a pot of tea and a tray of cheese, fruit, and biscuits, William sat back, picked up the contract, and began to look it over. He appeared quite engrossed as he read each page, a shake of his head and a frown his only reactions.

Amy and Aunt Margaret attempted some conversation, Amy using the time to tell her aunt about their escapade that morning, but the entire time she kept glancing over to William, who continued to grimace as he read.

“Well?” Amy said as he laid the document down.

He looked over at her and sighed. “I am not a solicitor, but I have read many contracts. From what it says here”—he pointed at the document—“it is possible they can force you to attend.”

Amy’s jaw dropped. “How? They agreed to keep my identity a secret.”

William thumbed a few pages of the contract. “It does say that, but unfortunately, it also says in this clause that the publisher has the right to market the books any way it sees fit.”

“But what does that mean?”

He laid the document back down and folded his hands upon it. “Appearing as E. D. Burton at the book festival could be considered a marketing technique. Again, I remind you that I am not a solicitor and I suggest you have one look at this, but my opinion is they can use this clause to enforce it.”

Amy let out a huge breath and slumped against the back of the chair. “Father will not be pleased.”

A small niggling of joy began in her stomach and slowly spread throughout her body. She had always felt cheated in not receiving public acknowledgment of her work. She had to sit and listen when the book club discussed one of her books and ignore the comments when they praised the writing of E. D. Burton. Frustration was part of the ploy also, because there were times when a member of the book club would swear they knew precisely what E. D. Burton meant when “he” wrote such and such. Oh, how she wanted to correct them.

Now here was her opportunity to have the public know that she was E. D. Burton. And she could receive all the acclaim without going against her papa’s wishes.

But then there was always the possibility he would forbid her to write any more books. Sometimes she hated be