The Wedding of Ginger & Basil Read online

  It begins: July 31, 1912

  How fabulous that I found this Journal today, hidden in the bottom of my wardrobe. Good old Pippins, our English butler in London, gave it to me as a parting gift when Father whisked me away on our American adventure so he could marry Sally. Pips said it was for me to record my new adventures. I’m ashamed I never even penned one word before today. I think I was just too sad.

  This old leather-bound journal takes me back to that emotional time. I had shed enough tears to fill the ocean and I remember telling Father dramatically that I was certain to cause flooding to match God’s. At eight years old I was well-trained in my biblical studies, though, in retro-spect, I would say that I had probably bordered on heresy with my little tantrum.

  The first week of my “adventure” was spent with a tummy ache and a number of embarrassing sessions that involved a bucket and Father holding back my long hair so I wouldn’t soil it with vomit.

  I certainly felt that I was being punished for some reason. Hartigan House—though large and sometimes lonely—was my home and Pips was my good friend. He often helped me to pass the time with games of I Spy and Xs and Os.

  “Very good, Little Miss,” he’d say with a twinkle in his blue eyes when I won, which I did often. I suspect now that our good butler wasn’t beyond letting me win even when unmerited.

  Father had got it into his silly head that I needed a mother, but I think the truth was he wanted a wife. Sally, a woman half my father’s age, turned out to be a sufficient wife in the end, but I could never claim her as a mother.

  Well, Pips, I’m sure you’d be happy to know that things turned out all right here in America.

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  About the Author

  Lee Strauss is the bestselling author of the Ginger Gold Mysteries series (cozy historical mysteries), a Nursery Rhyme Mystery series (mystery, sci-fi, young adult), the Perception Trilogy (YA dystopian mystery), the Light & Love series (sweet romance) and young adult historical fiction. When she’s not writing or reading, she likes to cycle, hike, and kayak. She loves to drink caffè lattes and red wines in exotic places, and eat dark chocolate anywhere.

  Lee also writes younger YA fantasy as Elle Lee Strauss.

  For more info on books by Lee Strauss and her social media links, visit leestraussbooks.com. To make sure you don’t miss the next new release, be sure to sign up for her readers’ list!

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  www.leestraussbooks.com

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  Books by Lee Strauss

  On AMAZON

  Ginger Gold Mysteries (cozy historical)

  Cozy. Charming. Filled with Bright Young Things. This Jazz Age murder mystery will entertain and delight you with its 1920s flair and pizzazz!

  Murder on the SS Rosa

  Murder at Hartigan House

  Murder at Bray Manor

  Murder at Feathers & Flair

  Murder at the Mortuary

  Murder at Kensington Gardens

  Murder at St. Georges Church

  Murder Aboard the Flying Scotsman

  A Nursery Rhyme Suspense (mystery/sci fi)

  Marlow finds himself teamed up with intelligent and savvy Sage Farrell, a girl so far out of his league he feels blinded in her presence - literally - damned glasses! Together they work to find the identity of @gingerbreadman. Can they stop the killer before he strikes again?

  Gingerbread Man

  Life Is but a Dream

  Hickory Dickory Dock

  Twinkle Little Star

  The Perception Trilogy (YA dystopian mystery)

  Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans. Her brother Liam is missing. Noah Brody, a boy on the outside, is the only one who can help ~ but can she trust him?

  Perception

  Volition

  Contrition

  Light & Love (sweet romance)

  Set in the dazzling charm of Europe, follow Katja, Gabriella, Eva, Anna and Belle as they find strength, hope and love.

  Sing me a Love Song

  Your Love is Sweet

  In Light of Us

  Lying in Starlight

  Playing with Matches (WW2 history/romance)

  A sobering but hopeful journey about how one young Germany boy copes with the war and propaganda. Based on true events.

  As Elle Lee Strauss

  The Clockwise Collection (YA time travel romance)

  Casey Donovan has issues: hair, height and uncontrollable trips to the 19th century! And now this ~ she's accidentally taken Nate Mackenzie, the cutest boy in the school, back in time. Awkward.

  Clockwise

  Clockwiser

  Like Clockwork

  Counter Clockwise

  Clockwork Crazy

  Standalones

  Seaweed

  Love, Tink

  Murder Aboard the Flying Scotsman

  Chapter 1

  “I’m a gooseberry,” Felicia Gold whimpered. “How daft of me to join you on your wedding journey.”

  “You and hundreds of other of people,” Ginger returned with a smile.

  Seated aboard the Flying Scotsman opposite her sister-in-law, Felicia shifted her weight and crossed her legs. “I could move to another carriage. I don’t mind second class.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Ginger said. She turned to the handsome gentleman who sat as close as he could. “Basil and I love having you, don’t we, darling?”

  Basil Reed’s hazel eyes twinkled as he gazed into his new bride’s beaming face. “Of course.”

  “Your gushing happiness is starting to make me feel ill,” Felicia said. “At least, you’ll only have to put up with me half of the way.”

  “Is Miss Dansby meeting you at York station?” Ginger asked. She was pleased that Felicia was a well-read young lady with a strong disposition and a modern outlook on life, especially when it came to social roles for women. Even so, Ginger still worried about her boisterous and enthusiastic sister-in-law. A small dose of a healthy rational fear wouldn’t hurt occasionally.

  “Yes,” Felicia answered. “And her fiancé, Mr. George Pierce. I’m very curious to meet him. The way Miriam describes him in her letters, he’s almost god-like. Not a physical blemish or character flaw to be found.”

  Ginger laughed. “Must be love!” She patted Basil’s arm.

  Basil raised Ginger’s hand and kissed it. “You are perfection itself, Mrs. Reed.”

  “Please stop!” Felicia moaned. “Or I just might have to throw myself out of the window.”

  “If you must,” Basil added wryly, “please do so before the train starts moving.”

  An elderly lady assisted by a stick-thin porter entered the carriage. She appeared trapped in the nineteenth century with her tight-fitting coat, her long, heavy skirt, and a boat of a hat pinned to white hair that piled into a bun on the top of her head. Despite using two cream-coloured canes to assist her slow, stilted gait, the lady stood upright and was most obviously wearing a corset. Ginger had a fleeting thought of Ambrosia, her grandmother-in-law and house companion. Had she not had the influence of the younger set in her life, Ambrosia would certainly have continued to resemble this latest passenger. Unfortunately, Ambrosia’s new liberties didn’t make her any happier, and the perpetual scowl and overall distrust of “this wayward generation” remained. The grin on their companion’s wrinkled face and the sparkle in her deep-set eyes were to be envied.

 
; The lady nodded at the empty burgundy upholstered seat beside Felicia and said in a high-pitched voice to the lad assisting her, “This is far enough.” Then to Felicia, she added, “You don’t mind, do you? I’d rather not walk more than necessary, and first class is nearly full.”

  Basil answered for them all. “You’re welcome to join us.”

  The lady tipped the porter and settled into the plush seat. “These velvet chairs are marvellous,” she said. “Thank goodness someone had the brains to make the backs high enough to support one’s neck. I’ll warn you good people in advance; I might embarrass myself by falling asleep. At my age, one tends to nod off without intending to.”

  The whistle blew, and the forest-green carriages of the Flying Scotsman inched forward, slowly and laboriously. Loud rhythmic clanking came from the steel wheels. Gears screeched in response. With each rotation, motion increased in speed. White plumes of steam gushed past the windows and blocked their view of King’s Cross Station.

  “I’m needed in Edinburgh, for a funeral,” their companion offered.

  “I’m sorry,” Ginger said. “Is it someone close?”

  “No. I barely knew him. I just like going to funerals. I know it sounds morbid, but I do have a fascination with death. It’s my age, you see.”

  Ginger shared a stunned look with Felicia. The lady was quite forthright.

  “I was at the hanging of Susan Newell, a year ago today,” the elderly lady continued. “What a spectacle that was! The first woman to hang in Scotland in fifty years. She refused the white hood. Her eyes nearly,” she opened her gloved hand by her eye, mimicking an explosion. “It wasn’t pretty, let me tell you.”

  Oh, mercy. Ginger had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. “A funeral should prove to be rather boring after that.”

  “Oh no. It’s a double funeral. The man was murdered. By his wife. Then she took her own life. A big family scandal. A bundle of money involved. When I read about it in the paper, I knew I had to go.”

  Felicia’s eyes widened with incredulity.

  “Do forgive my rudeness,” the lady said. “I’m Mrs. Simms.”

  “I’m L—” Ginger stopped herself in time. She’d almost introduced herself as Lady Gold, a title she’d given up when she’d married Basil. “I’m Mrs. Reed. This is my husband Chief Inspector Reed, and my sister-in-law, Miss Gold.”

  Mrs. Simms’ gaze locked on Basil, and Ginger saw a hint of emotion flash behind her small, watery blue eyes.

  “Are the two of you acquainted?” Ginger asked looking between them.

  Mrs. Simms smiled. “No, no. I do apologise for staring. Sometimes my mind goes blank, goes on a bit of a holiday. The lament of old age. What takes you to Edinburgh?”

  Felicia answered first. “I’m visiting a friend in York.”

  “We’re on our honeymoon,” Basil added.

  “Oh, how splendid. Congratulations,” Mrs. Simms said beaming. “I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time. The highlands are splendid this time of year.”

  “I was there as a child,” Ginger said, “but it’s exciting to take the Flying Scotsman.”

  “Shaves off two hours,” Mrs. Simms replied. “Such a difference, especially at my age. And I love travelling on something so new.” She inhaled deeply. “Still smells like fresh paint and new fabric. It’s yet to be blighted with bad experiences like death and derailment. Or a robbery. You might be too young to remember, but the world’s first train robbery happened in England.”

  “You’re referring to the Great Gold Robbery of 1855,” Basil said.

  “Yes, indeed. It was quite the sensation. I was a youngster at the time and impressionable. My village talked about nothing else for months.”

  “I’d like to visit the dining car,” Felicia whispered. “I’m feeling rather peckish.”

  Ginger checked her watch. “It is nearly noon.” She looked at Basil. “Shall we?”

  Basil offered Ginger his hand. “Yes, let’s.”

  “Would you care to join us, Mrs. Simms?” Ginger asked.

  “I think I’ll stay. If I nod off, you shan’t tell anyone, shall you?”

  “Of course not,” Ginger said with a smile. “Have a pleasant rest.”

  In the dining car, Felicia confessed, “This shall sound snooty, but I’m glad Mrs. Simms didn’t join us. She looks like an ordinary, older lady but, I dare say, her mind is frightfully alarming.”

  COMING SOON!

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  Acknowledgments

  Many thanks go to my editors Angelika Offenwanger, Robbi Brandt and Heather Belleguelle, especially Angelika this time for helping me develop the mystery components!

  My assistant Shadi Bleiken who honoured me with an IRL - in real life - wedding by getting married to my son this summer. I couldn’t ask for a more kind-hearted and gracious daughter-in-law. She’s beautiful inside and out!

  So much love to my family, especially my husband, Norm Strauss, for his unwavering faith in me, and to my dear circle: Lori, Donna, Shawn, Norine and Marie.

  As always, I’m grateful to my review crew for keeping the reviews coming, and to my Facebook readers’ group for reading my books and hanging out with me online. It’s so nice to meet up with you there!

  The Wedding of Ginger & Basil

  A Ginger Gold Mystery companion novella

  © 2017 Lee Strauss

  ISBN: 978-1-988677-85-9

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

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