A Spring Scandal: Book Three of the Devereaux Manor Mystery Series

By Tracey Smith

The elusive Ms. Devereaux has been found murdered and once again Aaron and Maggie find themselves being drawn back to Devereaux Manor. This time it is to claim his inheritance.
The entire Devereaux fortune has been left to Aaron and his sister Kate. While Kate is ready to embrace her new life at Devereaux Manor with Jason by her side, Aaron can’t help but ask the question that is haunting them all. Who killed Agnes Devereaux?
Dylan has vowed to help his friends solve this mystery once and for all, but the demons of his own past haunt him. Will Andi ever be able to forgive him for breaking her heart? Will she be able to forgive him when she finds out what he’s done?
Will any of them survive once they uncover the secrets of Devereaux Manor?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tracey Smith
• Release date: Feb 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311654595

Tracey Smith

Tracey Smith grew up in Southern California, but as a teenager moved with her family to a small town in Arkansas. It was in Arkansas that she met and fell in love with the man of her dreams, who had also recently moved to the state. Fate brought them both to that small town and into each other’s lives and that is where they continue to live today raising their two children and living out their happily ever after.

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A Spring Scandal

Book Three of the Devereaux Manor Mystery Series

Tracey Smith

copyright 2016 by Tracey Smith

Smashwords Edition

This book is available in print at most online retailers

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without written permission, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

All characters in this book are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons is coincidental.

Dedicated to my fans, this book is for you!

Prologue

Thank you all for coming, the young lawyer addressed the group. "As you are aware Agnes Devereaux was a client of my late partner, Charles Bouchard. Among other things, Charles was involved in helping Ms. Devereaux draft her final will and testament.

"At the time that this document was drafted all of the Devereaux descendants had not yet been located, so it is written that the house and all associated property is to be left to Mr. Aaron Miles.

"However, the many business holdings, investments and stocks were to be placed into a trust which was to be turned over to a Miss Katelyn Miles upon her discovery. It is written that if in fact Miss Miles was located by the time of the reading that the property and inheritance should be split equally between the two.

"Since Miss Benson has been able to satisfactorily provide us with the documentation of her name change, we have been able to confirm her identity and, therefore, her rights to the inheritance.

The goal of this meeting is to equally divide the property and all of the assets, and to address any contention. However, it is clearly stated that the house may not be sold. One of you will need to take possession of the Manor.

Katelyn should have the house, Aaron spoke up right away. Kate turned to him in surprise. It only makes sense, he explained to her. Maggie still has to complete her residency. We have to go back to Savannah, at least for a little while.

And we still haven’t decided whether or not we will be staying in Savannah, Maggie added.

There’s no point in leaving the house vacant and having you continue to stay at Jason’s place, Aaron said, unless you were planning to go back to Atlanta.

Kate didn’t want to admit that she rather liked her arrangement with Jason at the moment, but Aaron was right. She couldn’t remain his house guest forever. Returning to Atlanta was the last thing she wanted to do right now, but she couldn’t just continue living in Jason’s house. Her invitation to stay had been a temporary arrangement and she had been wondering how much longer it could last. She wanted to stay forever, but she knew that she couldn’t. If the time came that Jason asked her to move in with him she needed to know that it was because he’d fallen in love with her, not because he’d offered her a place to stay and she’d just never left. Inheriting a house definitely gave her a reason to stay in Sweetwater and close to Jason.

We should share ownership, Kate suggested. Keep both of our names on the house. If you and Maggie decide to move to Sweetwater there’s plenty of room for all of us. I would love to have you both there with me. I would prefer it! I don’t even know what I would do with myself alone in that big house.

Aaron looked at Maggie who nodded her agreement.

Well that was easy, the lawyer remarked with a tone of surprise. These proceedings can usually get quite tricky. If you both agree to maintain joint ownership of the house and property we can equally divide the monetary assets. I’ll just need to collect a few signatures.

~∞~

A short time later Kate, Aaron and Maggie exited the lawyer’s office to find Andi and Jason waiting for them.

How’d it go? Andi asked.

She left us everything, Kate said in disbelief.

So does that mean you’re moving back to Sweetwater? Andi asked Maggie excitedly.

Kate’s going to move into the house, Aaron replied. But after Maggie completes her residency then we can talk about some other options.

The house will be in both our names, Kate explained.

So you’re just going to live in the house by yourself until then? Jason demanded. Kate finally looked his way. He didn’t look happy.

I suppose so, Kate answered carefully. These last few weeks playing house with Jason had been wonderful, but moving into her own place would give their relationship the chance to progress more naturally. It’s what they needed. However, the look on his face told her he didn’t feel the same way. He looked as if she was breaking up with him.

It’s not safe, Jason insisted. Not until we catch whoever tried to kill your brother.

Speaking of which, Andi spoke up, Dylan wanted us to meet him for lunch. He says he has some new information.

~∞~

As they approached the table Dylan stood. He pulled a chair out for Andi and she intentionally ignored it, grabbing her own chair. Unfazed, he took the seat beside hers and waited for everyone else to be seated.

I just left the coroner’s office, Dylan told them once they were all seated around the table. Agnes Devereaux died from a broken neck. It was not an accident.

You’re not staying in that house! Jason insisted, looking directly at Kate.

She was speechless. When they’d found the body she had assumed that Ms. Devereaux had died of natural causes, an old woman who’s broken heart had finally given out while sitting in the nursery of the baby she’d given away. It was a tragic tale, but one that Kate had come to terms with. However, to know that someone had been in the house, that someone had murdered Ms. Devereaux, sent a chill down Kate’s spine.

By the level of decomposition the medical examiner can only say that her death occurred over a year ago, but beyond that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to determine an exact time frame.

You found her in the nursery, right? Maggie asked quietly. Kate nodded.

She wasn’t in there five years ago when I found that room, Maggie continued.

But she was obviously there whenever someone sent Kate a letter inviting her out to the Manor a few months ago, Jason pointed out. So who sent for Kate?

I’ve been looking over the letters that Ms. Devereaux had left for each of you, Dylan said, looking between Maggie and Kate. The letter that was left for Maggie five years ago matches the handwriting on the letters that were mailed to your mother over the years, he told Kate. But the letter you received more recently was different. It was not written by the same person.

So that proves that Ms. Devereaux was still alive when she brought me and Aaron to the Manor five years ago, Maggie said.

It also proves that she was not the one who brought me, Kate added solemnly. When she had first learned that Agnes Devereaux was her grandmother she’d been excited by the prospect of finally having a family. With her brother back in her life, and a grandmother who’d gone to such lengths to find them, surely they were all in store for a happily ever after.

But her grandmother was not even the person who finally found her. She was not the one who had sent her the letter luring her to the old plantation home. Agnes Devereaux’s motives in searching for Kate may have been genuine, but what motives were behind actually bringing her here? More importantly who was behind it?

How was the honeymoon? Shannon asked as she came up to the table to clear away some of the dishes.

It was wonderful! Maggie enthused. She smiled brightly at the waitress, but the others at the table could still see the anxiety in her eyes.

Bet you didn’t want to come back, Shannon remarked.

Gotta return to reality sooner or later, Maggie commented conversationally.

When do you head back to Savannah? Shannon asked.

Tonight, Maggie answered. We just had to come to town for the reading of the will.

Terrible thing about Ms. Devereaux, Shannon said. I mean I never met her or anything, but it’s still sad all the same.

Maggie just nodded. She’d never met Ms. Devereaux either, none of them had, but she still felt a connection to her. Agnes Devereaux had been a guardian angel of sorts, watching over Maggie her entire life without her ever knowing. She was the one who brought Maggie to Sweetwater, and Aaron as well. If not for Ms. Devereaux they never would have met. Despite everything else that happened she would never regret her decision to answer that job ad. She would never regret coming to Devereaux Manor. Her only regret was that she had left. Perhaps if she and Aaron hadn’t fled for Savannah after Maggie was attacked they may have been able to help solve this mystery before it had cost Agnes Devereaux her life. Perhaps Aaron may have had the opportunity to meet his grandmother.

I wish you didn’t have to go back tonight, Andi said to Maggie once Shannon had cleared the table and stepped away.

I know, Maggie responded placing her hand over Andi’s. You could always come back to Savannah with us. You’ve still got a room at the apartment. We haven’t touched it.

Seriously, it’s like a shrine, Aaron joked. I’m not even allowed to go in there.

Andi did miss living with Maggie and Aaron in Savannah. They’d all been roommates up until last year when she moved back home after her dad’s first heart attack. She would never regret moving home to help her dad. She owed him everything, but she missed her friends. The prospect of going back to Savannah with them now was tempting, but with all that had happened recently she just couldn’t leave. Dad will be getting out of the hospital soon. He’s going to need me.

You know he’s got a son too, Jason reminded his sister.

I know. I guess I kinda need him too, Andi admitted. I can’t leave him right now.

How’s the house coming along? Kate asked, grateful that the conversation was shifting away from the fact that someone was potentially trying to kill them.

Slowly, Andi answered. The fire spread quickly, and with this winter weather the construction has been slow.

That means you and your dad will probably need to stay with Jason for a while, Kate pointed out.

You’re not moving out to the Manor alone! Jason insisted again. Dammit, Kate, why can’t you see that it’s not safe?

Jason, nothing has happened to me since I’ve been here, Kate pointed out. Agnes Devereaux was killed long before I arrived. Whoever made the attempts against Aaron hasn’t targeted me. I understand that we don’t know who is behind this, or why, but I can’t live the rest of my life hiding in a hole either.

That’s your argument? Jason asked. "No one’s tried to kill you yet?"

Kate’s right, Dylan spoke up. Someone killed Agnes Devereaux, and presumably the same person has tried to kill Aaron multiple times, but no one has tried to hurt Kate.

What’s your point? Jason asked angrily.

That maybe we’re missing something, Dylan replied calmly. Who would want both Agnes and Aaron dead, but not Kate?

The group fell silent. It was a question that none of them had an answer for. Kate had been contacted by someone and brought to Devereaux Manor, but she had come to no harm since she’d arrived. What motive would anyone have for bringing Kate here and killing both her grandmother and brother but leaving her alive? The only one who stood to gain in that situation was Kate herself.

I could stay at the Manor with Kate, Dylan offered. Jason and Andi both shot him an incredulous stare. I’d like to stay in town until we get to the bottom of this, and it would save me the expense of a hotel room. That is if it’s okay with you? Dylan asked Kate.

I wouldn’t be alone, Kate pointed out.

I’ll check every inch of the house, make sure it’s safe, Dylan added.

Kate looked to Jason. He didn’t look any happier about that arrangement. Andi didn’t look happy about it either, but neither said a word.

Part One

~1~

Jason was quiet as they drove out to the Manor. Kate shifted anxiously in her seat. It had been over a week since she’d announced that she’d be moving into Devereaux Manor and despite his initial protest Jason had been infuriatingly silent on the subject. When he’d offered to drive her out to Atlanta to help pack up her apartment she thought they’d finally talk this through, but he didn’t bring it up and neither had she. He really hadn’t said much at all. She wished they could have spent her last night in his house making love by the fire, but instead they’d spent their last night together in her old apartment. Jason had slept on the couch.

Are you sure you want to do this? Jason asked as they came to a stop in front of the massive house.

Kate took a deep breath. I need to do this, she explained. This is my family’s home and it belongs to me now. I have a responsibility to take care of it. I can’t just let it go to ruin.

You’re a wealthy woman now, Kate. You can pay people to care for the house. Ms. Devereaux’s been doing it for years. Jason stared out the windshield as he spoke, his hands still gripping the wheel.

"But it’s my house, Kate emphasized as she turned to face him in the cab of the truck. I’ve never had that. I’ve never known what it was like to have a family home, a legacy. My childhood wasn’t like yours. I didn’t grow up in a nice little country home with a white picket fence."

Even white picket fences don’t keep evil out. Jason finally looked her way and she saw the pain in his eyes. And a mansion filled with family legacies won’t either.

Kate knew that Jason had suffered more loss in his life than most. He hadn’t spoken much about it, but his sister Andi had told her about how they’d lost their mother, and then later how Jason had lost his wife. With everything that had happened to her brother, Aaron, in the last few months, she knew Jason was just concerned for her safety. He was scared of losing her too.

Dylan’s been here for the last week changing all the locks, reinforcing the windows. He and your uncle Paul have searched every inch of that house. No one is lurking in any corners, Kate assured him.

Well thank God for Dylan, Jason said irritably. He stepped out of the truck abruptly and retrieved several large boxes from the back. Kate hurried to follow him, grabbing a small box and quickly climbing the steps to the door. She began to wonder if his irritation had something to do with Dylan being at the house.

They stepped through the front door to see Dylan coming down the stairs. Here, let me help you with that, he said as he reached for one of the boxes that Jason was carrying. Jason grudgingly handed one over. Even though Dylan was a friend of his he didn’t seem any happier about accepting his help than he had been about Kate’s friend Jeremy helping them pack up the apartment in Atlanta. Was it possible that he was jealous?

Where do you want this stuff? Dylan asked.

For now we can just put it all in one of the rooms upstairs, Kate said.

The renovators are just getting set up, Dylan told them as they climbed the stairs. When they reached the landing Kate glanced down the hall of the East Wing. The corridor was crowded with workers setting up scaffolding along the walls. The bright light from their halogen work lamps only accented the decay of the abandoned wing. She quickly looked away.

When they reached the West Wing, they deposited the boxes of Kate’s belongings in the first room on the right. It was the orchid room. The delicate ornamental flowers filled vases around the room, their vibrant colors reflected in the surrounding décor.

Until Kate had the opportunity to sit down with the trustee to go over all of the contracts associated with the Manor, everything would continue on as usual including the regular delivery of flowers. As Kate looked around at the beautiful orchids that filled the room she thought that it might be nice to keep the arrangement with the florist. She liked the flowers. When she’d first arrived at Devereaux Manor she’d been amazed to find that each of the many rooms in the home contained a different variety of beautiful and sometimes exotic flowers.

The discovery of her grandmother’s childhood sketchbook filled with drawings of flowers had lent that much more meaning to the beauty of the bouquets throughout the house. Filling her home with flowers was a tradition that Agnes Devereaux had started many years ago, and one that Kate was happy to continue.

There are just a few more boxes in the truck. Jason’s words brought Kate out of her reverie. She turned to see Dylan and Jason leaving the room and she hurried to follow. This time she didn’t look down the East Wing as she passed. That was one part of this house that would not remain unchanged. There was too much sadness in those halls, too much death and pain.

She’d considered closing it off altogether, building a wall to block it off forever. But instead she’d decided to gut it. By the time the renovations were complete that section of the house would be brand new and the darkness that had been contained in those rooms would finally be gone.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs she saw Andi and Ms. Brandy, the owner of the local antique store, coming through the front door.

Hey, Kate, I’m glad you’re back, Andi said as they stepped aside to let Dylan and Jason pass with another load of boxes to carry upstairs. Did you want to walk us through the rooms upstairs to show Ms. Brandy what can go?

Take it all, Kate answered. Anything that’s in the East Wing can go.

Are you sure, honey? Ms. Brandy asked. There may be some family heirlooms up there that you’d like to keep.

Kate couldn’t imagine there being anything in those abandoned rooms that she’d want