I stood on the sidewalk and gazed with pride at the beautifully restored Queen Anne with its wide wraparound porch, wonderful three-story tower, and six chimneys. Hennessey House featured fourteen uniquely decorated guest suites, many with balconies and fireplaces. The entire house was furnished with beautiful Victorian-era pieces that were not only authentic but also comfortable and elegant.
The gardens had been completely renovated months ago and now they were gorgeous and green, a lush paradise with flowering plants everywhere. Charming rustic pathways invited strolling guests to discover a small bench or sitting area behind a tree or next to the koi pond, where they might read a book or drink their morning coffee or enjoy a glass of wine at dusk.
Jane had planned the party as an open house from three in the afternoon until eight o’clock that night, so people would be coming and going and the kitchen staff had been told to keep the appetizers hot and plentiful.
Jane’s small, permanent kitchen staff had been practicing for weeks, learning Jane’s recipes and creating new ones of their own. Jane’s friends had been used as guinea pigs, happily, so we knew they would do a great job. Tonight they had help from some of Emily’s tea shop staff, who were used to catering larger affairs.
An open bar was set up in the living room area off the lobby foyer, and another one was outside on the deck overlooking the gardens. It was a beautiful afternoon, cold but clear, and space heaters were stationed at each seating area.
Most important, my friends and I had our marching orders. Jane had invited everyone on my suspect list to the party, so we planned to do whatever it took to corner each of them and pump them for information—in the friendliest, most polite and discreet way possible, of course.
I arrived early and helped Jane with a few of the last-minute details, such as arranging stacks of cocktail napkins on the end tables and testing the baby quiches for flavor. “Yep, they’re perfect,” I said with my mouth full.
“Thanks so much,” Jane said wryly. “I have to go to the kitchen for a minute, and guests are starting to arrive. Please behave yourself.”
“I’ll be delightful, as always.”
She walked away shaking her head, and I proceeded to go to the bar, where Ian, one of Emily’s staff waiters, was serving drinks.
“Hey, Shannon, what can I get you?”
“I’ll have a glass of the cabernet.”
“Hello there, Shannon,” a woman said.
I turned and found Althea Tannis standing behind me.
“Althea, hello.” We shook hands. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, dear,” she said wistfully. “You know, taking it one day at a time.”
“Yes, I know what you mean.”
“It’s still such a shock,” she said, obviously referring to Jesse’s death. “I’m sure it hasn’t been easy for anyone.”
“No, it hasn’t.”
Ian took her order for a vodka gimlet and I tried to check my guilt once again. The woman had known Jesse, so of course she had to be on my suspect list. It was nothing personal. No reason to feel guilty, but there it was.
Ian handed her the cocktail and she set the glass on the bar before turning to me.
“Don’t you look pretty in green?” she said. “Your eyes just sparkle next to that color.”
“Oh, thank you.” The forest green sleeveless cocktail dress with the low-draped back was one of my favorites. “I like your dress, too.”
She glanced down at the strawberry polka-dotted silk dress she wore with short red heels. “Isn’t it fun? It’s from my shop. I sell lots of new things, too, besides vintage clothing and accessories. You should come by sometime.”
“I will. It’s in Blue Point, right?”
“Yes, you have a good memory. It’s such a pretty little town. Smaller than Lighthouse Cove, but just charming.”
“I’ve been to a few restaurants down there, and you have a great little bookstore, too.”
“That’s right,” she said, looking pleased that I remembered. “My shop is just a few doors down from the bookstore.”
She really did seem nice. So why was I still grappling with suspicion? “I might stop by one of these days. I’ll probably drag Jane along, too.”
“That would be wonderful.” She glanced around. “Speaking of Jane, I haven’t seen her yet.”
“She should be in the kitchen.”
“I hope she won’t mind giving me a little tour later. This is one of the loveliest B-and-Bs I’ve ever seen.”
Okay, well, I had to admit the way to my heart was to flatter my friends and my own work. “It is, isn’t it? I’m sure Jane would love to give you a tour. The gardens are beautiful, too.”
She glanced in the direction I’d pointed. “Oh, it all looks lovely.” She picked up her drink. “I might just peek around on my own until I find her, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course. Enjoy yourself.”
I watched her walk outside onto the deck and wondered just how close Jesse and she had been. I mean, if it had been serious, he would have said something to Jane, right? I would think so, anyway. And if they weren’t serious, why was Althea suddenly becoming so at home in Lighthouse Cove?