Exclusive Excerpt from DEATH AND THE VISITORS Copyright 2024 Heather Redmond   My vision swayed. Had the Russians returned to retrieve the ring I’d stolen? I dumped out the wildflowers I’d placed in my listening glass, then took the glass to the door, ignoring the pain in my midsection. “You have nothing to worry about.” I heard Papa’s rumble loud and clear. My fingers convulsed around the glass as I thought about how to sneak the ring downstairs to the sofa. I’d better do it now, while Mamma’s and Mary’s watchful gazes were safely outside. “You owe me a great deal,” said an English voice. “How can I possibly have nothing to worry about?” After a moment’s confusion, I recognized the voice. The moneylender John Cannon, who had been treated to a nice meal and the presence of the entire family about once a month since Papa had borrowed a thousand pounds from him late last year. He called regularly, which was a source of great stress on the household. “We had a visit from part of the Russian delegation,” Papa said. “What does that have to do with our arrangement?” John Cannon said in a steely tone. “Pavel Naryshkin,…