Page 43 of The Magical Bed & Breakfast

Malory bristled like a threatened hedgehog before capitulating on a long sigh. “It’s hard to explain. I suppose I can’t tell her no.”

That was a sentiment Kate could understand. “Come inside.” Kate motioned for Malory to precede her. At the steps, Malory reached down and straightened a pumpkin that had fallen out of line before she took the steps in purple kitten heels that contrasted sharply with the neon-green edged, rust-colored skirt swirling about her ankles. All decked out in Halloween colors, Malory made Kate feel underdressed in her worn jeans and Green Day T-shirt. But this was her inn. She was home, and the inn was technically closed—with the exception of her one guest. She led Malory back to the kitchen. “So why did Hazel send you my way?” Kate set about making a batch of her special tea blend, courtesy of Ivy, and wished she had pastries to serve. She reminded herself again that she really needed to up her baking skills.

Malory moved toward the kitchen hutch and studied it. “They said you wanted to know about your furniture.” She stroked a hand over the wood grain. “This piece is authentic. Quite lovely.”

“I use it for the breakfast china, which belonged to my grandmother.”

Malory began to give her a rundown on the origin of the hutch and Kate marveled.

“You really are an expert.”

“Oh, yes, acquisitions are a large part of what I do for the historical society, as well as tours of the mansions.”

Kate poured tea into stoneware mugs instead of china cups and took Malory on a tour around the inn. Malory then proceeded to give Kate a rundown on which of her furniture was authentic, and which were reproductions. She also detailed the care required to keep pieces valuable, particularly which ones she should not refinish if she wanted to preserve their value.

They ended up in the parlor next to the upright piano.

“I feel like I should have taken notes. I’ll never remember all this.”

“No worries, you can ask me anytime you have a question.”

Kate bit her lip. There was one piece they hadn’t discussed. “I do, actually, have a question. I found an antique writing desk in a hidden room.”

“Ah, the one with the musical score.”

“So you know about that. Does everyone?”

“Quite likely. It is Hazard.”

“I’d love more information on where the desk came from.”

“Show it to me.”

Kate led Malory back to the kitchen pantry where she had stashed the writing desk. She wasn’t sure why she had hidden it away, but had needed to keep it secure from prying eyes. She took back the mug Malory handed her.

Her breath caught as Malory dropped to her knees before the desk.

“This is exceptional.” Malory ran a finger lightly over the wood. She closed her eyes and seemed to commune with it from that single touch. Odd, thought Kate.

When Malory opened her eyes, she spoke in a mesmerizing tone. “It has a long history. First crafted by George Hepplewhite and transported by sea, it passed down through generations, but originally belonged to…” Malory paused, “…Selah Worthy.”

“I thought her name was Prudence.”

Malory shook her head. “I’m certain it was Selah. Where did you find the score?”

Kate knelt next to Malory and triggered the release that popped the drawer open. “Here, in this secret drawer.”

Malory peered in to see how it opened. “With these antique desks, it is possible to have two secret drawers. One to be discovered and one to be hidden.”

Kate blinked in surprise. This was news. “So…”

Malory shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a clue how the second drawer would open. It wouldn’t be a simple mechanism, like the first. More likely, it will require a series of pressure points to open it. I only ever saw one desk like this before, and it was in a museum.”

So there was more mystery to the desk. Kate wasn’t surprised. Somehow, she had sensed it had more to reveal. Ominous foreboding washed over her, and she shivered. She turned to face Malory. “Why did you close your eyes when you touched the desk?”

Malory took a quick breath. “I…”

Kate waited.

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