Page 53 of The Bride Wore White

She pulled herself together with an effort.Just a common signet ring.

“Mr.Dover,” she said.

She had to make an effort not to stare at his left hand.You can do this. You can act.

“My wife, Ella.” Rollins glanced at the woman who was walking toward them. “Ella, this is Miss Ryland and Mr.Wingate.”

Ella Dover smiled graciously and stopped beside her husband.

“A pleasure,” she said. “But I do regret the unfortunate circumstances that bring us here today.”

“Mrs.Dover,” Prudence said.

Jack inclined his head. “Mrs.Dover.”

Ella’s charming smile flickered off for only an instant when she noticed Jack’s scars. Startled horror flashed in her eyes, but she recovered as smoothly as her husband had.

“Mr.Wingate,” she said.

“We arrived in town a couple of hours ago,” Rollins said. “We checked into our hotel and then immediately drove out to the villa Clara is renting. The only one at home was her doctor, Harley Flood. He told us Mother had gone out with her housekeeper and the chauffeur. We did not realize what had happened at the spauntil Clara returned. That’s when she announced that she had confronted you and informed you of her ridiculous vision.”

“I can’t believe she conducted what must have been a dreadful scene in a fashionable spa, of all places,” Ella said. “I’m afraid we must all brace ourselves for embarrassment in the press.”

“Miss Ryland, we can’t begin to apologize for what Clara did today,” Rollins said. “We are rather stunned, to put it mildly.”

“Forgive us for dropping by unannounced like this,” Ella added. “We should have telephoned. It’s my fault. When we discovered what had occurred at the spa, I told Rollins we had to see you immediately. Mrs.Hollister, Clara’s housekeeper, said that according to the local paper, you were staying here with Mr.Wingate. I believe the residence is known as House of Shadows.”

Prudence glanced at Jack. He did not say anything, just stood there, waiting. If he had ever learned the rules of polite behavior, he either had forgotten them or was choosing to ignore them. Prudence suspected the latter. She thought about nudging him but decided that would look even more odd. It was time to take charge. This was, after all, an opportunity for him to employ his keen powers of observation. Also, she needed to get a closer look at Rollins’s signet ring.

“I appreciate the gesture,” Prudence said, slipping into her smooth, professional psychic voice. “I do realize that Mrs.Dover was in a rather strange mood today. Let’s go inside to discuss the situation. There is iced tea in the refrigerator.”

Ella looked grateful. “Thank you, but please don’t bother with the tea. We won’t be staying long.”

Rollins grimaced. “We just want to explain a few things.”

Jack frowned but did not raise any objections. Prudence led the way into the house.

“Please sit down,” she said when they reached the living room

Ella looked around with a mix of amazement and barelyconcealed disapproval. “My, what interesting décor. Very much in the modern style.”

Prudence smiled. “Very much in the Hollywood style. The former owner was a movie star. Jack purchased the house furnished. He hasn’t had time to redecorate, have you, Jack?”

“What?” Jack surveyed the large room as if he had not seen it before. He shook his head, clearly impatient with the direction of the conversation. “No.”

“I see,” Ella said. She managed a sympathetic smile as she perched on the gold velvet cushions of the gilded sofa. “The Hollywood crowd is known for its rather flamboyant taste, isn’t it?” She nodded toward the arched windows. “You do have a lovely view, though.”

Rollins sat down beside Ella and gave Jack an approving look. “Can’t go wrong with waterfront property.”

“I’ve heard that,” Jack said.

Prudence sat down across from Rollins and tried not to stare at his hand.

Jack took up a stance near the window, the left side of his face turned away. “What is it you thought we should know about Clara Dover?”

Rollins exhaled heavily and focused on Prudence. “Mother is not herself these days. She has been failing for weeks now. I’m afraid the shock of my brother’s death has completely shattered her nerves.”

“Her demeanor this afternoon was certainly different than it was when she met with me in San Francisco,” Prudence said.

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