When Kate entered the house, the first thing she saw was Bella and her expression of rage. Her anger seemed to be so strong that she wasn’t able to speak.
Kate tried to be cheerful when she said hello, but she sounded wimpy and apologetic. After all, Kate knew what was coming for her beautiful hotel.
Bella didn’t say anything, just turned away and stomped up the stairs.
In the next moment, Kate heard Nadine. “Not there! Over here! These colors are all wrong. Who decorates like this anymore?”
Kate went to the door of the large drawing room. It looked like the entire staff of male workers was in the room—and they were moving furniture. Bella’s neat, orderly room was being turned around, with couches put by windows, chairs in little groups. The room was being changed from a place that dealt with a large gathering into half a dozen private areas. It looked like Nadine was putting the room back to the way it was when the Pack had been hanging out there.
“No! No!” Nadine said. “That’s Nicky’s corner but that’s Byon’s chair. Put it by the piano.”
Nadine looked up and saw Kate. “Isn’t it wonderful about Diana? I was so afraid she was... You know.”
“It is good,” Kate said. “Everyone was happy to see her?”
“Ecstatic.” She turned to a workman. “Table next to that chair.” She looked back at Kate. “I hear you’re going to play me.”
“Yes. If you don’t mind.”
“I’m flattered. The green dress is upstairs. Teddy is going to be Diana.” Nadine frowned. “That night Diana had on a minidress that was way too short. Maybe you can reason with Teddy about it.”
Kate smiled at that. Getting Teddy to not do whatever she wanted was an impossible task and they both knew it. “Where is everyone?”
“Jack and Teddy are setting up for the stages. We’ve been told there are five acts and two of them are in the stables. Diana even brought a horse. How very like her! Clive should be back from London soon. He bought the lights Sara asked for. Willa is in the attic. She’s in charge of finding clothes for everyone.”
“I guess Byon and Aunt Sara are holed up somewhere.”
“Oh yes,” Nadine said. “Byon was quite dramatic with the door. What have you been doing?”
Kate wasn’t about to tell of finding two bullets and Diana’s son. All that was of utmost secrecy. She faked a yawn. “Staying out too late and having fun. I need a shower.”
She left before Nadine could ask more questions. The truth was that Kate did want some time to calm down, time to be alone. In her beautiful room, she took a long, hot shower, washed her hair, blow-dried it and put on clean clothes. So now what did she do? Or more precisely, which group did she join? Nadine? Willa? Jack and Teddy? Maybe she’d volunteer to type for Byon and Aunt Sara. Or maybe she’d go to the gatehouse and keep Chris company. She smiled at that idea.
In the end she went up the stairs to the attic. Willa seemed the safest bet. Kate’s slippers made no noise so she caught Willa off guard. In a pile on the floor was Willa’s old dress with its heavy padding, while Willa herself was sitting in a chair wearing her yoga gear. She was absorbed in what looked to be a photo album.
“You’ve been caught!” Kate said.
Willa gasped, then relaxed. “I thought I locked the door.”
“Nope. Or at least not the one I used. Have you found all the clothes?”
Willa gave a one-shoulder shrug. “Enough of them. They were tossed into a trunk. It’s a wonder they’re still here.”
“Aunt Sara said Isabella bought the house ‘as is.’ Intact. Even the trash bins were still full. I’m sure it has something to do with Bella being related to the earl. Keeping it all in the family, that sort of thing.”
“I never saw that woman when we were here, and I’m glad I didn’t. We had Bertram’s bad temper to deal with. We didn’t need hers added to it. I guess you saw Diana.”
“Oh yes. Nadine said everyone was glad to see her.” Kate’s tone was asking Willa if that was true.
“Diana walked in at breakfast, acting like it was a regular day from years ago. She asked if there were any kippers.” Willa was smiling. “It was very good to see her. Byon cried.”
“And Nadine?”
“She was blinking back tears, but she got them under control. Diana made us remember the good times.”
Kate looked at the clothes scattered about. “Do you know what everyone’s wearing?”
“The men were easy. They’re over there.” She nodded toward an old coatrack that had three garment bags hanging on it. They had Post-it notes on them: Nicky, Clive, Byon. “I doubt if Byon’s still fits,” she said smugly.