Iris was interrupted by a resounding crash. Or not exactly a
crash. More like a splintering sound. With a few pops. And twangs.
“What was that?” Iris asked.
“I don’t know.” Honoria craned her neck. “It sounded like—”
“Oh, Honoria!” they heard Daisy shriek. “Your violin!”
“What?” Honoria walked slowly toward the commotion, not
quite able to put two and two together.
“Oh, my heavens,” Iris said abruptly, her hand coming to her
mouth. She lay a restraining hand on Honoria, as if to say—It’s
better if you don’t look.
“What is going on? I—” Honoria’s jaw went slack.
“Lady Honoria!” Lady Danbury barked. “So sorry about your
violin.”
Honoria only blinked, staring down at the mangled remains of
her instrument. “What? How . . . ?”
Lady Danbury shook her head with what Honoria suspected
was exaggerated regret. “I have no idea. The cane, you know. I
must have knocked it off the table.”
Honoria felt her mouth opening and closing, but no sound was
emerging. Her violin didn’t look as if it had been knocked off a
table. Honestly, Honoria was at a loss as to how it could have got
into such a state. It was absolutely wrecked. Every string had
snapped, pieces of wood were completely detached, and the chin
rest was nowhere to be seen.
Clearly, it had been trampled by an elephant.

Auteur: Julia Quinn