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    The Mysterious Mrs. Pennybaker
    The Mysterious Mrs. Pennybaker
    The Mysterious Mrs. Pennybaker
    Ebook99 pages1 hour

    The Mysterious Mrs. Pennybaker

    By Nancy Fraser

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    About this ebook

    In the Roaring Twenties...

    In the Roaring Twenties...

    A Hello Girl during WWI, widowed Ariel Pennybaker served her country proudly. She now carries on her late husband’s legacy...a home for the many returning injured soldiers.

    With her year of mourning nearly at an end, she’s had enough of her self-imposed celibacy. It’s time to get back in the game.

    A chance meeting with a handsome WWI aviator fills her imagination with thoroughly naughty thoughts. When a second man walks into her life, her naughty thoughts turn downright decadent. What better way to fulfill her fantasies than by sharing both men’s beds.

    As tempting as the idea is, Ariel has a huge secret, one she must protect at all costs. And it’s possible one or both of her lovers is not what he seems.

    With her year of mourning nearly at an end, she’s had enough of her self-imposed celibacy. It’s time to get back in the game.

    A chance meeting with a handsome WWI aviator fills her imagination with thoroughly naughty thoughts. When a second man walks into her life, her naughty thoughts turn downright decadent. What better way to fulfill her fantasies than by sharing both men’s beds.

    As tempting as the idea is, Ariel has a huge secret, one she must protect at all costs. And it’s possible one or both of her lovers is not what he seems.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDecadent Publishing
    Release dateJun 21, 2015
    ISBN9781613338643
    The Mysterious Mrs. Pennybaker
    Author

    Nancy Fraser

    Nancy Fraser is Henry A. and Louise Loeb Professor of Political and Social Science at the New School for Social Research. Her many publications include Fortunes of Feminism (2013), Scales of Justice (2008), Adding Insult to Injury: Nancy Fraser Debates Her Critics (2008) and Redistribution or Recognition? (with Axel Honneth, 2003).

    Read more from Nancy Fraser

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    • 4/5
      Ariel Pennybaker was a Hello Girl during WWI. She did translations for the army and has continued to do so after the war. Her husband has died and she is keeping on with his work of providing a place for disabled soldiers. Two men come into her life at the same time. Which is on the up and up?I liked the story. I find the time period fascinating. Ariel is a modern woman who makes her way in the world. She does what she feels is right. Both men want her and she wants them both. I like her solution. This story captures the flavor of the era between WWI and WWII very well. An enjoyable read and set in a period that is not overdone.

    Book preview

    The Mysterious Mrs. Pennybaker - Nancy Fraser

    cover.jpg

    The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by fines and federal imprisonment.

    Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in, or encourage, the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

    This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

    The Mysterious Mrs. Pennybaker

    Copyright © 2015 by Nancy Fraser

    ISBN: 978-1-61333-864-3

    Cover art by Tibbs Designs

    All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

    Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

    Look for us online at:

    www.decadentpublishing.com

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    Dedication

    This book is dedicated to the authors and readers of the Decadent Dishes FB group. Thanks so much for your encouragement and support. I look forward to sharing even more with you in the future.

    The Mysterious Mrs. Pennybaker

    By

    Nancy Fraser

    Chapter One

    Manhattan—Upper East Side

    May, 1922

    Mrs. Pennybaker, the coppers are at the door. Shall I show them in?

    Ariel Trumont Pennybaker tucked the papers she’d been reading into the drawer of the chair-side table. She stood, pressed the wrinkles from her satin drop-waist dress, and straightened the starched headband holding her wild brown curls in place. Yes. Of course, Marie. I’m always happy to speak with our wonderful men in blue.

    Humph, wonderful indeed, the older women grumbled. Those flatfoots don’t know their arses from a hole in the ground. They’re all on the take.

    Ariel stifled a laugh at Marie’s disapproval of the local authorities. Although, given the trouble Marie’s somewhat colorful family had suffered over the past few years, her maid’s disapproval didn’t come as a surprise.

    The moment the two officers came through the door, it was obvious this wasn’t one of their usual shakedowns. The captain himself had come this time, and that didn’t bode well for the topic of conversation.

    Captain Beaton, how may I help you today?

    Mrs. Pennybaker. We understand you held a party here last evening. A loud party at that. Neighbors attest to the fact there was drinking involved.

    I did indeed, Captain. A rather nice fundraiser in honor of the new rehabilitation home built for our war veterans.

    And was there drinking, Mrs. Pennybaker?

    She nodded and smiled. You bet your shiny silver badge there was. And lots of it. She paused, studying the captain for a brief moment before adding, And, as it is prohibited by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, I neither produced nor sold the liquor to my guests. Everything was given free of charge from my late husband’s vast cellar.

    You don’t call making the swells donate to your cause the same as selling the liquor?

    Of course not, Captain. I would have given them food and drink whether they donated to the home or not.

    The second officer, a much younger man, stepped forward. The Volstead Act….

    Ariel took a step forward as well, until she stood opposite the man. Her bold advance stopped him mid-sentence. When their eyes met, she raised her hand and ran her fingertip rather teasingly across the officer’s nametag.

    The Volstead Act, Lieutenant McMillan, does not prohibit the consumption of any wine or liquor purchased prior to its enactment on October 28, 1919. I assure you, my late husband’s cellar contains stock purchased long before the passing of either the Eighteenth Amendment or the Volstead Act. She edged toward the door, eager to escort her unwanted guests out. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me. I need to prepare for another fundraiser later this evening at the home of the mayor.

    Lieutenant McMillan started toward the door, but the captain stood his ground. The sight of his well-fed and unkempt person made bile rise in her throat.

    Not so fast, Mrs. Pennybaker, Beaton warned. There’s still the matter of inspecting your cellar.

    An inspection? Concern hammered within her chest. The cellar held secrets far more dangerous than bottles of booze. She drew a few calming breaths and composed herself. She knew from experience, a calm demeanor would guarantee the safety of her cache.

    Yes. Despite your assurances, we need to see for ourselves there’s no bootleg liquor hiding among your late husband’s stores.

    With much reluctance, she motioned the two men forward and then followed them into the hallway. Marie!

    The woman appeared at her side almost immediately. No doubt, she’d been eavesdropping just outside the parlor door. Yes, ma’am?

    I would appreciate it if you could accompany the officers and me to the wine cellar. Turning to the captain, she explained. I would feel more comfortable in the company of one of my employees. I hope you understand, Captain Beaton.

    The captain snorted, no doubt amused by her concern. Whatever suits your fancy, Mrs. Pennybaker. We’re interested in the hooch. Nothing more.

    Ariel led the men down the narrow flight of stairs, the dim overhead lamp guiding her way. Behind her, one of the officers switched on his handheld torch. And, though she would never admit it, she welcomed the additional light.

    Please feel free to examine all of the shelves, but be careful to not shine your light into the wine bottles. It stirs up the sediment and spoils the flavor.

    The two men moved from rack to rack. In turn, they examined each of the bottles, some of them twenty or more years old. Next, they moved to the crates along the wall. Each crate contained bottles of bourbon, scotch, and the finest imported cognac.

    Satisfied? she asked from where she stood against the farthest wall. As I said, my stores include nothing more than pre-prohibition stock.

    Captain Beaton hoisted a bottle

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