Flora stood with Jocasta in the hall as the small procession climbed the stairs. A flustered Lady Venetia made to follow, but Dr Billings turned on the bottom step and barred the way.
‘If you’ll allow me to conduct my examination, Lady Vaughn. I’ll let you know what I conclude as soon as possible.’
‘And who, exactly are you, ma’am?’ Lady Venetia looked her up and down in disgust. ‘I thought there was a doctor out looking for my son?’
‘There was, and I am, Lady Venetia,’ Dr Billings paused to answer. ‘However, I would prefer not to stand here debating with you as to my credentials when your son needs my urgent attention.’ She turned away abruptly, skirts swaying as she climbed the stairs.
‘I’m coming too,’ Reginald bounded up behind her.
Dr Billings halted, staring vaguely at the pharmacist for a few seconds.
‘Two heads, Doctor.’ Reginald grinned. ‘You never know, even pill grinders know a thing or two about poisons.’
She smiled, which transformed her plain features into near handsomeness. ‘I never believed otherwise, Mr Meeks. I would welcome your assistance.’
‘George!’ Lady Venetia’s voice rose to a screech. ‘Did you hear what that-that—’ Words failed her and she huffed a breath. ‘A woman doctor indeed! Where’s Dr Fairbrother? He ought to be here.’
‘Venetia, there’s no time for this. Let the lady do her work.’ Lord Vaughn eased past her and hurried up the stairs, calling to William as he went. ‘Take them to the bachelor wing, it’s the closest. I’ll show you where.’
‘She looks very capable’ Jocasta’s face held admiration.
‘It was an emergency and—’ Flora broke off, uncomfortable to be on the end of Lady Vaughn’s horrified stare. ‘Come into the sitting room, Lady Venetia. I’ll explain everything.’
‘I wish someone would.’ Lady Venetia cast a longing look at the tail end of the procession as they disappeared round the corner of the staircase.
Lady Venetia didn’t wish to hear Flora’s explanations, nor Jocasta’s open delight that they had a real female medic in the house. She remained stoically silent in a wingback chair and stared into the empty fireplace, the words, ‘My poor boy’ spoken every few moments, as if Eddy was doomed.
After a few moments, William and Bunny returned with Lord Vaughn, apparently banished from the sick room until Dr Billings had something to tell them. They took their dismissal in good part and Bunny sat with Flora and Jocasta on a sofa, while William poured fortified wine for them all.
Lord Vaughn paused just inside the door, his face vague as if he didn’t know what he was doing there. Flora thought he had aged ten years since breakfast. She bit her lip, blinking hard as tears threatened. Eddy was their only son and the Vaughns worshipped him.
‘I read somewhere that arsenic poisoning cause ridges in the fingernails?’ Bunny whispered. ‘I haven’t spotted that in Eddy.’
‘Nor have I. But once that happens, it’s often too late.’ William handed Flora a glass. ‘It’s Madeira,’ he said when she stared at it, confused.
Nodding, she took a sip. The liquid slid easily over her tongue, mildly sweet with a hint of orange. She took another, a whole mouthful this time and warmth flowed through her and the tension dissolved.
Jocasta released a sob and William pressed a glass into her hand. ‘Don’t worry, Jo. That Dr Billings looks as if she knows what she’s doing.’
‘I hope so,’ Flora whispered. ‘I was the one who brought her here.’
Reginald Meeks’ appearance just then brought everyone to their feet.
‘The Doctor is still with them,’ he announced confidently. ‘I have nothing new to add other than she thinks Flora was right. They have arsenical poisoning which accumulates in the system, however she doesn’t think it has reached lethal levels.’
‘I’m sure he’ll be fine, Flora,’ he whispered as she chewed at a thumbnail. ‘They both will.’ Bunny slid an arm round her, but his compassion only made her feel worse.
‘I wish I had realized sooner. I could see he wasn’t well, but everyone thought it was no more than fatigue or a summer cold.’
‘The fête was three weeks ago,’ Jocasta reminded her. ‘If Eddy’s been drinking the stuff regularly since then, we should have noticed the signs. We didn’t, so don’t blame yourself.’
‘Eddy isn’t your responsibility any more, Flora,’ Bunny added. ‘No one considered poison until we got here.’
‘Father did.’ Flora switched thumbs but gave up when it wasn’t helping.
‘I know,’ Jocasta gripped Flora’s forearm gently in a gesture meant to comfort. ‘You did exactly what Maguire would have.’
Somehow, that didn’t make her feel any better.
‘Every morning since he returned from school,’ Lord Vaughn said to no one in particular, ‘I made him go with me on the estate to learn how it worked. When he said he was too tired I just told him to buck up and get on with it.’ He pushed a hand into his thinning hair and held it there.
Flora sipped the Madeira, while Lady Venetia appeared too overwhelmed by her own anxiety to reassure him. It was left to Jocasta to soothe his guilt.
‘We all thought he was just malingering, Papa. You know how lazy Ed can be.’
‘I’m partly to blame,’ William said from where he sat, his feet splayed and hands held loosely between his knees. ‘I went up to his room a couple of times to say goodnight and he wasn’t there. I assumed he had sneaked out to collect birds’ eggs or some other boyish prank. I put it down to youthful mischief, but now I realize he had sloped off with that Griggs boy, and—’ He jumped out of his seat as Dr Billings entered the room, Bunny and Lord Vaughn following suit. Reginald Meeks was already standing, so he acknowledged her with a nod.
Lady Venetia’s stage whisper filled the room. ‘Whoever heard of a woman doctor? Does she know what she’s doing?’
‘I have.’ Flora lifted her almost empty glass. ‘Dr Elizabeth Garrett Anderson.’
‘Thank you, Mrs Harrington,’ Dr Billings took centre stage. ‘A lady who qualified thirty years before I did, so perhaps I’m not such a novelty. And do sit, gentleman, you make me nervous crowded round me like that.’
‘I’ve never heard anything like it.’ Lady Venetia continued to sniff into a lace handkerchief while the gentlemen resumed their seats.
‘Let her speak, Mama.’ Jocasta replaced her empty glass on the sideboard, returning to lean against the arm of William’s sofa, her arm draped across his shoulder.
Flora stayed where she was, her free hand gripped in her lap so hard, her fingernails made crescent-shaped dents in her palms.
‘Well, what’s the verdict?’ Lord Vaughn demanded in an attempt to regain control, but his voice shook slightly. ‘Will my son recover?’ By force of habit, he offered her one of the full glasses that stood on the tray, which she accepted graciously.
‘As I surmised when we found them, both boys are indeed suffering from chronic arsenical poisoning.’
‘My Eddy isn’t – damaged is he?’ Lady Venetia clutched a hand to her chest, her eyes moist with unshed tears. ‘We had a maid once who didn’t wash after putting arsenic down for the rats. They said her organs had begun to break down, and—’ she broke off, her face white.
Lord Vaughn lurched to the sofa where she sat and began kneading her shoulders.
‘With good nursing, I’m confident they will recover completely.’ Dr Billings took a long sip from her glass before continuing. ‘The source of the poison has been isolated, though I understand there is no remaining beer on the premises?’
‘I’ll have a thorough search made and ensure there isn’t,’ Lord Vaughn said. ‘Though as far as I am aware it was all removed on the day.’
‘Even so, it would be wise to make certain, my lord.’ Dr Billings inclined her head. ‘I advise a light, nutritious diet for your son and liquids only for Peter for the time being. The most important thing now for both of them is rest. My colleagues in the
medical profession might prescribe charcoal biscuits to help break down what remains of the poison, but in the past I’ve found these ineffective.’ She exchanged a smile with Reginald which told Flora they had come to an agreement about treatment. Or perhaps Dr Billings had guessed Lord Vaughn would seek a second opinion from Dr Fairbrother when she had gone.
‘And Peter?’ Flora asked. ‘How is he?’
‘His condition is considerably worse,’ Dr Billings said. ‘In his case, we can only wait and see if there is any residual damage.’
‘Poor boy,’ Jocasta murmured.
‘Has anyone informed Mr Griggs he is here?’ Flora asked.
‘I’ll do that.’ Dr Billings set her still full glass on the table, which told Flora she had only accepted it to make a point. ‘I’ll call in at The Red Kite before I return to town. Peter isn’t ready to travel yet, therefore would it be acceptable for him to stay here until he is stronger?’
‘I-I suppose so,’ Lady Venetia said vaguely, the notion evidently puzzling to her.
‘And might I call on Viscount Trent tomorrow to see how he’s going on?’ Dr Billings added. ‘Or would you prefer your regular doctor to attend to him?’
‘I think that would be far more suitable,’ Lady Venetia said.
‘Absolutely not!’ Lord Vaughn cut across her. ‘Dr Billings, I would welcome your attendance on Eddy. We all owe you a great deal and it’s only right you should see his illness through.’
‘I think you owe your son’s life to Mrs Harrington, my lord. If she hadn’t brought attention to his health, he would have gone on ingesting the poison until nothing could have been done to reverse its effects.’ Dr Billings gave a final inclination of her head, hefted the leather bag into her arms and headed for the door.
‘I’ll see you out,’ Lord Vaughn said, displaying unusual hospitality.
‘I must go and see my Eddy.’ Lady Venetia jumped up with uncharacteristic agility and ran from the room. Flora had never seen her run before.
‘Dr Billings,’ Reginald Meeks waylaid her, ‘might I cadge a lift with you back to town?’
‘Of course. In fact, would you mind coming with me to see Mr Griggs? Perhaps we could also discuss the best methods of removing heavy metal poisons from the bloodstream?’
They left the room together deep in conversation.
‘I didn’t expect that.’ Bunny said. ‘A lady doctor in Lord Vaughn’s sitting room.’
‘Lady Venetia wasn’t very happy about it,’ Flora said, relieved it had all ended relatively well.
‘I cannot begin to thank you, Flora,’ Lord Vaughn returned from seeing the doctor out and crossed the room to stand beside her. ‘I accepted Fairbrother’s word without question, and as a result we might have lost Eddy.’ He slumped onto a chair, his head down, while Jocasta went to him and wrapped her arms round his neck.
‘I still feel responsible,’ Lord Vaughn said, his voice dull. ‘My father was not a strong man. He suffered bouts of weakness and fatigue during his life and died quite young. When I observed similar behaviour in Eddy, I didn’t want to admit he might have inherited the same traits. So I ignored it.’
‘Eddy isn’t Grandpapa.’ Jocasta propped her chin on top of his head, her features a more delicate, feminine version of his own, but startlingly similar. ‘He’ll be well again before you know it. You’ll see.’
‘Father identified arsenic poisoning in the workmen, but he never got the opportunity to explain. He put me on to it, and Mr Meeks explained how arsenic affects the body.’
‘I’m not sure how Dr Fairbrother is going to view my engaging a female doctor. Mrs Billings has caused quite a stir in the town since her arrival. There’s something else, Flora.’ Lord Vaughn drew her onto the sofa. ‘Fairbrother isn’t always careless, just a little absent sometimes.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Bunny mentioned what he saw when you visited the mortuary, and I got to thinking about your father’s accident. I was going to mention it to you this evening, but all this happened and—’
‘Mention what?’ Flora prompted.
‘I ran into him in town this morning. He said he had words with Mr Meeks after the inquest which made him think again about the case.’
‘I think we witnessed that, didn’t we, Flora?’ Bunny said.
‘He told me he had reviewed his notes on Maguire, and, well, he’s more inclined to accept he overlooked certain details about his death.’
‘The hoof prints?’ Bunny said.
‘Exactly. He now thinks you were right, Bunny, and they were made by two different animals.’
‘Well that’s something, I suppose,’ Bunny said.
Flora sat frozen. Her father had been deliberately trampled.
‘But that would mean Maguire was murdered.’ Jocasta slumped down beside Flora, her arm round her shoulders. ‘I’m so sorry, Flora. We all thought it was an accident.’
‘Would Dr Fairbrother be willing to confirm that to the coroner?’ Flora asked, her throat tight.
‘Believe me, my dear, the man is contrite. I obtained his promise to do so first thing in the morning.’ Lord Vaughn’s sympathetic look made her eyes well with tears.
‘But, Papa, who on this earth would want to kill Maguire?’ Jocasta demanded, voicing the question that kept repeating in Flora’s head.
*
‘Come in.’ Eddy’s response to Flora’s knock at his bedroom door was barely audible.
He lay on his back and stared at the ceiling, a copy of Kipling’s ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ open beneath his hand on the coverlet, though he made no attempt to read.
‘How do you feel?’ She perched on the side of his bed, her chest tight at how frail he looked. He had a grey tinge to his skin and blue half-moons like bruises beneath his eyes.
‘I’ve been rather stupid haven’t I, Flora?’
‘What were you thinking, young man?’ she said in mock anger, stroking his sweat-soaked hair away from his forehead. ‘Drinking at your age indeed?’
‘The boys at school slip out of the dorm for a pint at the local sometimes. They invite me, but, to be honest, I don’t like the taste much. I thought this would be a good way to, well, practise. Then the older boys wouldn’t make fun of me because I retched each time I tried it.’
‘Did it work?’ Any frustration she might have felt at his irresponsible behavior drained away. Not that she could ever stay angry with him for long; a combination of his father’s vulnerability and his sister’s sense of mischief made him an attractive character.
‘Sort of.’ He screwed up his nose. ‘I’m still not keen on the taste. I would much prefer a lemonade, but the other boys would call me a sissy if I ordered that in the pub.’
‘Those other boys aren’t worth listening to.’ Her natural protectiveness rose that he had to make himself ill so as to ward off unkind bullying. ‘When you’re grown up, you won’t need to apologize for not liking the taste of beer.’
‘Just as well, because I definitely won’t touch it again now. I’ll probably stick to brandy instead.’ Flora was about to make a comment when his eyes widened as he asked, ‘What do you think of the lady doctor?’
‘I like her, but more importantly what did you think of her?’
‘She’s very nice, like the school nurse but cleverer. And her hands aren’t cold.’
Flora tweaked the collar of his pajama jacket and stroked his hair. If she ever had a child like this one she would be more than delighted. ‘Dr Billings is coming back to see you tomorrow. Will that be all right with you?’ Hopefully he hadn’t developed an aversion to females in the professions like the previous generation.
‘Of course. Why wouldn’t it?’
‘No reason at all.’ Flora smiled. There was hope for Eddy in politics yet. He was still pale, but obviously on the mend and up to talking, so she decided she needed to ask him something. ‘Eddy, I was wondering, how did you get hold of that beer in the first place?’
‘Peter and me we
re behind one of the tents with some leftover cake we snaffled from the food tent. Mrs Mountjoy walked by with Mr Bracenose and told him he was to get rid of whatever was left.’ He slid a sideways look at her as if anticipating a rebuke.
‘Cake eh?’ She ruffled his hair. ‘Don’t worry, I shan’t demand you confess everything. What was that about Mrs Mountjoy?’
‘She bought the beer for the fête. Bracenose to collect it from Battledown Brewery in one of our carts.’ He broke off with a cough that threatened to turn into a full blown fit.
Flora handed him a glass of water, waiting while he took a sip. Did Caroline want Vaughn staff and vehicle used to keep her part quiet? An odd thing to do if she was playing the charitable neighbor.
The coughing subsided and Eddy swiped a hand across his mouth as he handed back the glass. ‘Thanks. Bracenose has a soft spot for Mrs M as they’re always whispering in corners. Don’t know why she doesn’t get an estate manager of her own instead of using ours all the time.’
‘Why do you suppose she wanted the beer thrown away?’ Flora mused, more to herself than posing a question.
‘Dunno.’ He hunched his shoulders in a familiar, endearing gesture. ‘She paid for the stuff, so maybe she regarded it as hers by rights. Or she didn’t want the men to drink all night and be unable to work the next day.’
‘Very public-spirited of her,’ Flora mumbled under her breath. Though why would Caroline care what happened to the leftover beer? ‘What did you do then?’
‘When the workmen carted it away, we heard them say what a waste it was to destroy it, so why shouldn’t they keep it for themselves, so when they weren’t looking—’
‘These men, did they happen to be the same ones who fell sick a little later?’ Flora interrupted. Those men must have drunk all that leftover beer at once, which was why they were so badly affected.
‘How did you know?’ Eddy turned his head on the pillow towards her.
‘Never mind. I gather you and Peter grabbed the jugs when they weren’t looking and hid them in the shepherd’s hut.’
Betrayal at Cleeve Abbey Page 24