Page 48 of Murder on the Upper East Side

Typical. She’d seen Madison several times today – but she’d never pass up an excuse to make Bruno or Ethan do her bidding.

Bruno’s continued presence in the restroom – and expectant gaze – suggested she was meant to open her invitation in front of him.

Hannah Irene Miller

You are cordially invited to join the Fitzgerald Family to celebrate the soft opening of Orchard & Vine, the Concord Group’s inaugural culinary venture upstate.

Saturday, 21 January 2017

6:30 in the evening

Orchard & Vine at the Concord Lodge

Hudson, NY

Seasonal hors d’oeuvres, local wines, and a first taste of the winter menu.

Kindly RSVP

Attire: Country elegant

‘This Saturday?’ she asked unnecessarily. ‘And Ami’s invited too?’

‘Yes and yes.’ Bruno grinned and tucked a thick lock of black hair behind his ear. ‘So, you in?’

She suppressed a smile – Theo had been kind enough to include Ami, and for once, Madison hadn’t intervened – and slipped the envelopes into her bag. She had no idea what ‘country elegant’ was supposed to mean, and she sensed they had been last minute additions to the guest list, but did any of that really matter?

‘I’ll have to check with my parents,’ she said after a moment.

Bruno nodded. ‘Let me know by tomorrow morning. Theo is arranging the helicopters.’

Saturday at 6:30 sharp, the first helicopter touched down on the Fitzgeralds’ private landing pad at the Concord Lodge, a family vacation property recently converted by Theo’s family into a boutique inn with a farm-to-table restaurant sized to serve both their guests and members of the public. The soft opening was to be an exclusive affair uniting one hundred and fifty carefully chosen guests from across the culinary world, the Hudson community, and the upper crust of the Upper East – including, of course, Prescott.

Hannah and Ami stepped off their chartered helicopter and onto the snow-covered grounds. Quickly, they were ushered by a valet in a long wool overcoat into one of several vintage Land Rovers that would take them across the large property, to the party. Through the back window, tree after snow-dusted tree lined the orchard. In the city, snow turned to grey-streaked slush in a matter of hours. Here, it was pristine, the grounds a storybook forest.

The orchard soon receded into a wide, grassy expanse that would blossom into a wildflower meadow in the summer. They passed a manicured garden, now frosted over, then the Land Rover pulled to a stop in a small lot. Up ahead was the Concord Lodge. It would open to guests next month; for now, the cedar-shingled main house with its wraparound porch and heated stone terrace remained closed while the Fitzgeralds’ team ofcontractors and designers put on the finishing touches. Orchard & Vine was housed in its own building, connected to the lodge by a covered flagstone path offering guests of the inn complete privacy during their stay, yet a convenient, sheltered route to the restaurant during the winter months. It would officially open for business the following Friday, several weeks in advance of the lodge. Tonight was friends and family only.

‘Come on!’ Ami tugged on Hannah’s arm, pulling her towards the French doors. In front, tall planters bloomed with hearty winter foliage. Woodsmoke drifted from the kitchen chimney. On the opposite end of the building, a wooden staircase provided outdoor access from the grounds to the covered roof deck, which was open and outfitted to fight the January chill with heaters and glass windbreaks.

Hannah let herself be led up the lantern-lit gravel path to the juniper-and-eucalyptus-draped entrance, eager to escape the below-freezing temperatures. Beneath her overcoat was a midi cashmere sweater dress she hoped fitted the dress code, but her legs were bare, a choice she now regretted. Ami was wearing a thin silk slip dress and a baggy cardigan, an outfit she’d taken the entire afternoon to put together. The heels of their boots, suede ankle boots for Hannah and knee-high riding boots for Ami, clicked on the flagstones.

Inside the French doors, a jazz trio played something vaguely familiar in hushed tones. Guests mingled among farmhouse tables laid with soft white linen runners.On top were centrepieces filled with dried local wildflower arrangements and clusters of intentionally mismatched candles. An attendant arrived to take Hannah and Ami’s coats, and she was relieved to see other guests wearing a mix of wool, tweed, and billowy cotton. ‘Country,’ but designed by Burberry and dressed up with gold earrings and long strings of pearls.

Servers mingled with hors d’oeuvres, and Ami snagged a crostini topped with duck confit and wild cherry compote from a passing oak tray. She gave it a sniff, then held it out to Hannah.

‘Nope, changed my mind.’

Hannah laughed, then popped it in her mouth. It was salty and sweet and surprisingly delicious, but she knew Ami’s tastes. Her little sister still had the palate of a toddler.

‘Maybe they’ll have some of those cheesy poufs they served at Madison’s cousin’s wedding.’ She recalled sitting with Alex between the ceremony and dinner, filling their cheeks with cheddar-y, truffle-y goodness.

‘Ooh.’ Ami pointed to a long table that had been set up in front of the open kitchen. On it were slate trays of charcuterie and cheeses and ceramic bowls bursting with winter fruits. Much more Ami’s speed. Inside the kitchen, the staff bustled – one cook tended to a crackling wood fire, the source of the smoke they’d seen outside. Another sliced thin ribbons of prosciutto with a vintage hand crank; two more dressed yellow beet and goat cheese salads and wiped the rims of the bowls.

While Ami filled a small porcelain plate from the appetiser spread, Hannah looked around for familiar faces. They’d travelled in from the city with Edward and Bash and one of Theo’s friends from the crew team, but the three boys had vanished the second they’d all emptied out of the Land Rover. Now, Hannah’s eyes lit on Elle, who stood with her parents and two other adults Hannah didn’t recognise at the base of a wooden staircase providing indoor access to the roof deck. Possibly local food journalists or members of the Prescott board. Elle returned her gaze with a curt nod, and Hannah inwardly groaned.

This week at school, everything had been peaceful, even friendly between them. But tonight, Elle had people to impress – and Hannah was one of the least impressive people here.

Before she could stew for long about Elle’s fair-weather friendship, Ethan tapped her on the elbow and Bruno motioned them towards the stairs. The two boys, joined by Ami, passed by Elle and the adults and headed for the covered roof.