HITCHING their horses outside the Gower’s place, Cole and Monroe waited patiently for Amelie to arrive in the buggy, a buggy driven by another woman, one whom Cole recognised as Sarah Cartwright, the new owner of the Elegance Hotel. She took all of his attention as she stepped down, extended her hand to Amelie and helped the older lady to join her.
Cole doffed his hat. “Good morning to you both, ladies.”
Amelie appeared deeply troubled, wringing her hands, all pretence of social etiquette absent. “Mr Cole, I do not understand any of this. When you announced to me earlier that there was trouble, I had no idea you meant here, in my home!”
“I apologize to you, Miss Amelie, but time was pressing. Now that we are here, I will—”
“Perhaps if you just tell us what has happened?” It was Sarah,
