Aunt Dimity: Detective Part 19

Epilogue.

Nicholas returned briefly to London, to collect his things and sublet his flat. He took the tower room at Ans...o...b.. Manor and was promptly adopted by a fleet-footed kitten he called Rumor. Nell's black lab took to him, too, and the two could be seen every morning, jogging to Finch and back.

Nicholas, Kit, and Lucca worked like navvies all summer, installing the new drainage system, repairing fences and out-buildings, and looking after the stables. Will and Rob demanded daily visits once they learned that Uncle Nicky and Uncle Kit loved mud as much as they did and that Uncle Lucca would let them swing on the paddock gate.

Nell came home at Easter and took about three seconds to figure out Emma's less than subtle scheme to offer Lucca in exchange for Kit. Lucca was willing-seldom has a young man been more willing-but Nell remained steadfast, though she toned down her protestations after a long and private talk with Nicholas.

Nicholas and I spent much of Easter week delivering gilded gingerbread for the Pyms. Ruth and Louise had been baking and decorating ever since we'd left their house, and although Mr. Barlow had repaired their "motor," there were far too many boxes for the sisters to handle.

The vicar began the Easter service with a special tribute to Sally Pyne's magnificently traditional floral display and concluded it by introducing Harry Mappin to the congregation. Peggy and Jasper Taxman watched proudly as Harry nodded to the paris.h.i.+oners, and only Nicholas and I seemed to notice the small brown monkey peeking out of his breast pocket.

Nicholas and Bill confounded everyone in Finch by establis.h.i.+ng a close and lasting friends.h.i.+p. Our threesome has provided the villagers with ample gossip fodder, but we don't mind. Bill says it's the least we can do to repay our nosy neighbors for keeping an eye on me when my eye was wandering.

My eye hasn't stopped wandering, and Bill's drifts from time to time, but the bond between us is stronger than ever. If a true marriage recognizes human frailty-and thrives on a certain element of suspense-then ours is the truest marriage I know.

Aunt Dimity summed up the murder investigation by commenting that Finch is surely the only place on earth where the crime of the century would be committed by a flowerpot.

Which is, she added, why we love it.

Nicholas seems to agree with her. It's autumn now, and although he's grown strong in mind and spirit, he's shown no inclination to return to London. Bill and the boys are delighted. Uncle Nicky has become as much a part of our family as Kit. Will and Rob-with mud on their minds, no doubt-want him to stay forever.

As for me, I say a prayer of thanks every time I drive by Crabtree Cottage. Prunella Hooper had been a blight upon the village, but even blights have their uses. Her lies forced the villagers to tell the truth. Her death brought new life to my marriage. She was the devil incarnate, but without her, Nicholas might never have found his way out of h.e.l.l. Her evil had given rise to an awful lot of good.

I'll never build a monument to Pruneface Hooper, but when I drive by Crabtree Cottage, I give thanks.

Also by Nancy Atherton.

Aunt Dimity's Death.

Aunt Dimity and the Duke.

Aunt Dimity's Good Deed.

Aunt Dimity Digs In.

Aunt Dimity's Christmas.

Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil.

The Pym Sisters' Gilded Gingerbread.

Oven: 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Yield: 15 cookies.

1 cup dark brown sugar.

cup honey

grated rind of one lemon

6 tablespoons b.u.t.ter, diced

2 cups unbleached flour

teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 egg white, unbeaten

edible gold leaf (available at craft stores)

b.u.t.ter two baking sheets. Warm sugar, honey, and lemon rind slowly over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Simmer for five more minutes. Add b.u.t.ter to the hot pan. Stir until it melts. Remove from heat. Stir in flour, baking powder, and ginger. Mix to a fairly stiff dough and roll dough out thinly on a floured board. Cut to desired shape. Transfer cookies to baking sheets with a palette knife or spatula. Bake for 20 minutes. Place on wire rack to cool.

When cool, use unbeaten egg white as glue to attach edible gold leaf in desired pattern.