A Rather Remarkable Homecoming Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Part One

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Part Two

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Part Three

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Part Four

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Part Five

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Part Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Part Seven

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Part Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Part Nine

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Part Ten

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Catch up with Penny and Jeremy in the other “Rather” novels!

  Teaser chapter

  About the Author

  OTHER NOVELS BY C.A. BELMOND

  Praise for the Novels of C.A. Belmond

  A Rather Charming Invitation

  “The third installment in Belmond’s Rather series is every bit as much fun as the two previous books. The writing is leavened with just the right dash of tart wit, the romance between Penny and Jeremy is sweetly satisfying, and the search for the missing tapestry includes some fascinating historical details and intriguing tidbits about the perfume industry, French history, and coins. A Rather Charming Invitation is a deliciously old-fashioned story that is guaranteed to charm both mystery and romance readers.”

  —Reader to Reader

  “Writing well in the first person from a singular point of view must be difficult, but Ms. Belmond pulls it off beautifully. And with fascinating glimpses of Europe past and present, and a gentle romance between a likeable pair, she has produced an enchanting read. I highly recommend A Rather Charming Invitation for its combination of charm, liveliness, and suspense.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “C.A. Belmond’s entertaining duo of Penny Nichols and Jeremy Laidley are back in the spotlight . . . a wonderful cozy mystery.”

  —Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)

  “A simpatico duo!”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Written in such a fascinating way, with characters that will both charm and entertain, A Rather Charming Invitation is a book that you don’t want to miss.”

  —Chick Lit Club

  “A Rather Charming Invitation is a lovely reunion with American Penny Nichols and her English fiancé Jeremy Laidley, along with their assortment of English and French relatives . . . There’s old-fashioned sleuthing throughout . . . along with some wonderful European locations and a bit of old-fashioned glamour . . . I’m happy to say that this book captures me as much as did the first novel and I am glad to know that Belmond is already hard at work on the next adventure for Nichols and Laidley, Ltd.”

  —DearAuthor.com

  “Charming is the perfect word to describe C.A. Belmond’s A Rather Charming Invitation. I fell in love with Penny and Jeremy when the series began, and enjoyed this time out seeing the two prepare for their wedding . . . Although set in the present, the entire series has a 1930s feel . . . The author has a wonderful feel for settings and brings London, the South of France, Paris, and Geneva to life. I so wanted to go right along with Penny and Jeremy on their travels!”

  —All About Romance

  A Rather Curious Engagement

  “Lilting . . . it’s fluffy and fun, even if you don’t have your own yacht.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Bound to charm romantic suspense fans.”

  —Booklist

  “What’s not to like about C.A. Belmond’s new novel? I was hooked by the end of the first page . . . A Rather Curious Engagement is delightful . . . something you can pass through the generations.”

  —Story Circle Review

  “An entertaining and witty story, A Rather Curious Engagement displays the author’s flair for keeping the reader attached to the spellbinding story and adventurous, enchanting characters.”

  —Affaire de Coeur

  “A Rather Curious Engagement is narrated by Penny from her own insightful perspective . . . and is as well crafted as its predecessor. I highly recommend them both and look forward to any sequels to come starring this likeable couple.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “A Rather Curious Engagement is a high-seas adventure with a wonderful little mystery and some nice laughs as Penny and Jeremy try to outwit some thieves . . . I found Penny and Jeremy to be a very endearing and sweet couple that I wouldn’t mind reading more about in future books to come.”

  —Ramblings on Romance

  “Five Stars! Excellent writing . . . I look forward to more books with these wonderful characters.”

  —Night Owl Reviews

  A Rather Lovely Inheritance

  “A spirited heroine.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “An entertaining yarn with family drama and intrigue aplenty.”

  —Booklist

  “Utterly charming . . . excellent characterization and dialogue [with] a sweet touch of romance. If a novel can be both gentle and lively, surely this is one . . . A Rather Lovely Inheritance tantalizes and entertains with its mystery and skullduggery . . . Penny [is] a perfectly lovable heroine. It’s a rare gem of a book that leaves behind a feeling of pure pleasure.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “I haven’t read anything like it in quite a while, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself . . . Penny is a delightful heroine . . . Who wouldn’t enjoy the unexpected chance to rattle around London and then fly off to the sunny Côte d’Azur?”

  —DearAuthor.com

  “Combines suspense, romance, and crafty wit. The protagonist is a character to cheer for, and the mystery subplot will keep readers turning the pages.”

  —Romantic Times

  “[Penny] hooks everyone . . . with her klutzy optimism... Fans will enjoy the lighthearted breezy storyline as the Yank takes England, France, and Italy.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “[Has] everything—mystery, romance, [and] a whirlwind tour of Europe’s hot spots.”

  —Kirkus Reviews

  “A return to the golden age of romantic suspense! A Rather Lovely Inheritance weds old-style glamour to chick-lit flair. You just want to move into the novel yourself—on a long-term lease, with hero and snazzy sports car included (villains sold separately).”

  —Lauren Willig, author of The Mischief of the Mistletoe

  OTHER NOVELS BY C.A. BELMOND

  A Rather Lovely Inheritance

  A Rather Curious Engagement

  A Rather Charming Invitation

 
; NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY

  Published by New American Library, a division of

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street,

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  First published by New American Library,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  First Printing, September 2011

  Copyright © C.A. Belmond, 2011

  Readers Guide copyright © C.A. Belmond, 2011

  All rights reserved

  REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA

  LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:

  Belmond, C A.

  A rather remarkable homecoming/C.A. Belmond.

  p. cm.

  ISBN : 978-1-101-54404-4

  1. Cornwall (England : County)—Fiction. 2. Historic buildings—England—Cornwall (County)—Fiction. 3. Real estate developers—Fiction. 4. Riddles—Fiction. 5. Country life—England—Cornwall (County)—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3602.E46R 39 2011

  813’.6—dc22

  2011009678

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

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  for R. A.

  Part One

  Chapter One

  It was raining lightly in London when our taxicab wound its way around a familiar tree-lined square and pulled up to the front walk of Great-Aunt Penelope’s Victorian town house. I still think of it as hers, for the house seems to exist in its own 1920s time warp; an elegant, cozy, sheltering bulwark against twenty-first-century stress and strife. Every time I approach the front double doors with their frosted glass windows and immaculate white pillars on each side, I inwardly bless the mysterious Aunt Pen for her astounding, unexpected kindness in remembering Jeremy and me in her last will and testament.

  The cabbie carried our suitcases to the top step, then said, “Thank you very much, sir,” as Jeremy tipped him.

  “Home at last!” Jeremy proclaimed to me.

  We had honeymooned on the Riviera and then gone straight to New York to visit my parents and friends. After that, it was off to California, where Jeremy did some legal advising for an old client, while I worked as an historical set-design consultant on a crazy movie called Romeo and Juliet—Vampire-Hunters For Hire, which some friends of mine were making as an independent film.

  But now we both were glad to be back in London again.

  Jeremy put his key in the lock, pushed open the front door and, without any warning, scooped me up in his arms. “The bride never walks in,” he proclaimed.

  The cabbie looked as surprised as I did, and he drove away grinning.

  “You do realize,” I squealed in protest as Jeremy carried me across the threshold, “that this is a very barbaric, arcane custom, from the days when pirates and soldiers kidnapped their brides.”

  “Any excuse to get an armful of Penny is fine with me,” Jeremy declared as we passed through the vestibule.

  Then he stopped in his tracks. I peered over his shoulder to see why.

  Two total strangers were seated on the small black leather sofa in the little sitting room at the right, which we use to receive business clients. They were watching us with an expectant, amused look. Meanwhile, a harried guy named Rupert was standing at the reception desk, with the telephone receiver tucked under his chin, and a sheaf of paperwork in his hand. Rupert, who still worked at Jeremy’s old law firm, was keeping an eye on our business while we were away, by fielding clients old and new . . . and dealing with unexpected callers like these two.

  “Oh, you’re here!” Rupert said to us, looking slightly flustered. He had a new haircut, with a shock of hair that stood up above his forehead and contributed to his surprised look. “Didn’t realize the time. Welcome back.”

  With an infinitesimal nod of his head, he indicated the young man and middle-aged woman seated on the sofa, and said, “This is Harriet Fieldworthy and her son Colin. They are here from Cornwall at the, er, suggestion of the esteemed personage I e-mailed you about,” he added meaningfully.

  My jet-lagged mind struggled to remember Rupert’s e-mail and to pick up his subtle cues. Cornwall. Yes. As in, the Duke of Cornwall—i.e., Prince Charles, heir to the throne of England. Or, to be more precise, His Royal Highness The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, Knight of the Garter, Knight of the Thistle, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Bath, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight of the Order of Australia, Companion of the Queen’s Service Order, Privy Counsellor, Aide-de-Camp, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.

  While we were away, His Royal Highness—or, H.R.H., as we peasants like to call him—had sent us an elegant, intriguing note about a possible assignment for our new company, Nichols & Laidley, Ltd. But the Prince’s office, upon discovering that we were on our honeymoon, had assured Rupert that it could wait until we returned to London. Now here we were . . . and so, apparently, were the people that the Prince wanted us to meet.

  Jeremy was staring dubiously at our callers, who hardly look like palace courtiers. Colin appeared to be in his early twenties, and wore a black rock-and-roll T-shirt paired with traditional kilts (yes, that’s right, a man-skirt); whereas Harriet, his mum, was shod in a countrywoman’s boots and wore a fairly masculine tweed suit, and the kind of Alpine wool hat that you’d wear while hiking in the high country. I couldn’t help wondering if the whole thing was a massive hoax from some wiseguy at Jeremy’s old law office. But then I saw Rupert mouth the words They’re for real to Jeremy.

  By now Harriet and Colin had risen to their feet, and probably would have shaken hands, except that Jeremy remained rooted to the spot, with his arms still full of “new bride”. So our guests paused, awkwardly waiting.

  “Darling,” I said, with as much dignity as a gal could muster in such a position. “I think you can put me down now.” Jeremy awoke from his shock, and obl
iged.

  “I’m Penny Nichols Laidley,” I said to our guests, trying to sound as dignified as my English mother might, even though my husband had just deposited me into the room like a sack of mail. “And this is Jeremy Laidley.” Rupert flushed, realizing he’d failed to formally introduce us.

  “Oh, we know, we know!” the woman said, beaming at us while shaking my hand vigorously as if it were a water pump. “Our friend says if anyone can help us, you can. He thought you might be willing to take our case, because, you see, we believe it’s of vital personal interest to you as well. When we heard that you were coming back to England today, I thought, mercy, we’d better grab your attention straight away, before you two go off on another case.”

  Gazing at her, I saw that Harriet’s green eyes had interesting crinkles around them, and her cheeks were a healthy, ruddy color, which hale-and-hearty folks get from spending every day outdoors in all kinds of weather. Her cheerful face was rimmed with unruly brown hair flecked with strands of grey.

  “You see, it’s all got to do with your grand-mum. And her last wishes before she died,” she added. “Dear me, I did put that rather bluntly, but time is of the essence.”