Serenade Of The South-e

By Louise Ulmer

Who could resist an antebellum mansion by such a name? Not Ariel. She's there to write the family history for her great-aunt. Elderly Aunt Belle still runs the place without electricity, determined to keep it exactly as it was before "The War."

One of Belle's two bachelor great-nephews will inherit the plantation, but only if they keep it the way Belle wishes, right down to marrying the wife she picks. And the wife Belle has picked out for Chad, her favorite, is the adored and mysterious Gloria Ratherwood. Ariel hates her on sight and the battle for Serenade is on.

Ariel has an unexpected ally, a lovely woman in a long gray dress, and someone leaves four leaf clovers where only Ariel will find them. Clearly, someone wishes her luck and she's going to need it, because at least one person there is bent on murder.

ISBN 1-59431-045-9 Romance / Suspense / Mystery

Also available in RTF and HTML formats.

Cover Art/Fanny Glass

Chapter One

The expected letter arrived during the week of finals at the University of Arkansas. Ariel flung her books on the bed and tore open the cream-colored vellum envelope. A smile lit her face. "It's all set!" she said. "I'm going to Serenade. I'm expected the week after graduation."

"I can't believe you," said her older sister, Tish, who was busy studying for a final in Interior Design 401 and putting on the third coat of Video Violet on her inch-long nails. "You're actually turning down a newspaper job to go write a genealogy for Mom's crazy great-great aunt."

"I don't think she's really crazy," Ariel said, "it just seems that way because she lives in the past. With her money, she can afford to."

"I hope Mom is in her will."

"She's paying my first year's tuition at the university. Besides that, the fringe benefits would tempt even you."

"I'll give you that. The old girl has not one but two--count them--two nephews."

"Never mind that. I'm talking about the atmosphere and the sense of history, not to mention the living arrangements. Serenade has servants for the cooking, cleaning, laundry.... This is no job; it's a vacation with pay."

"I think you're in the wrong field. You better forget journalism and take up fiction."

"I know writers who would kill for an opportunity like this. Aunt Belle is 90 years old. I know a once-in-a-lifetime chance when I see one."

Tish got ready to turn on a hair dryer to blow on her nails. "It isn't every day you get a chance to bury yourself on a farm in the boonies."

Ariel studied at a photograph that had come with the letter. "Okay, Smarty," she said, "get a load of the farm in the boonies." Tish laid down the dryer and gave the photo inspection. "Oh, my God! she said. "Write and ask if they need an interior designer too."