“How long will that be?”
Leonard sat on the edge of the bed, “It is difficult to say, Mrs Polwarth has not long left. I believe her mother and father are soon to arrive in Bath, though they have kept it from her that she is dying. She will think they are visiting for a short time.”
“Kept it from her that she is dying? Surely not! How can they do such a thing?”
“In the brief times you saw her, you must be able to tell that she is not the sort of woman who would react well to such news.”
“He decided to keep it from her didn't he?”
“Yes. But it is with the agreement of her parents. If she had a stronger resolve then they would tell her. But she is a delicate woman, always has been sickly from her previous doctor's report.”
Adella looked down and sighed again. “She was not pleasant to me earlier. She knew who I was. I mean, she knew about me and Joel. But she obviously believed her husband's lies, because she called me a fortune hunter.”
Leonard took hold of his sister's hand, and patted it gently, “You did well. I am proud of you. And you bandaged her arm most expertly.”
The corners of Adella's mouth turned up in a scornful smile, “Does that mean that I can send him a large bill for my nursing services?”
“Do not worry, I will add it to the bill, and you will receive the money directly.”
She frowned, “I will give the money to a poor family. I could not bear to have any money of his. But tell me, did you know about their daughter?”
Leonard nodded.
“Well, you are their doctor I suppose. But I think I would have preferred to hear it from you.” She looked at her brother with mournful questioning eyes. “It was Mr Garner who told me about the girl, and he seemed smug about it too.”
Leonard stood up and decided that the conversation was already in a dangerous place said, “Come down when you are ready.”
She nodded, “I will come down in a short while. Dinner will not cook itself.”
***
The next three weeks passed with no further incident. Adella did not see Joel or any of his friends or relations during that time. With Flora now running errands and helping Doctor Preston, Adella stayed at home and only ventured out when she needed to visit the grocer's. She was an excellent host to her small circle of friends and the Alther's, all of whom visited both separately and together during the week. Helen did not understand the new arrangements, especially why Flora was suddenly such a favourite with Dr Preston, and why Adella had become somewhat subdued and quiet.
“You must walk out with me to the park.” Helen said to Adella one afternoon when she and Flora visited.
“Tomorrow,” Adella said quietly.
Helen was unperturbed and the following day called and expected Adella to walk out after lunch.
“Flora is running errands for your brother again,” Helen said. “She loves it. Rushes out of the office every time he enters the shop! She said to me she likes to have something to do. She said it as though I don't have a purpose! I do. Mine is to marry a rich man and I told her so as well. Do you know what she said? Nothing! She only scoffed! Well we will see. When I marry a Duke or an Earl or even a plain old Baronet would do, she'll be sorry. I will still look after her in her spinsterhood when I am a rich woman. Anyway, I would not want to do all that traipsing all over Bath with lotions and potions. Leave her to it, and you and I will have fun walking out.”
Helen looked Adella up and down, “You look a little drab. You should dress more like me. If we are going walking, it is always best to stand out a little, so that the Gentlemen notice you.” She swished her deep blue dress a little, as though flirting with a man.
“But I don't want gentlemen to notice me.”
“More the fool you then,” Helen said shaking her finger. “Still if you look drab, I'll stand out more.”
“Helen, I really do not wish to go out, besides, I have a lot of work to do in the house. Mary is ill and I am left to do her work too. I am very tired,” Adella said.
Helen waved her finger again, “I won't take no for an answer!” she hunted about and found Adella's coat and bonnet. Adella lacked the will to argue any more and was forced to go further afield for the first time in weeks.
They headed out arm in arm to Sydney Gardens. Helen explained, “I have been there before and I thought it exceedingly grand,” she lowered her voice a little to a whisper, “and there were some handsome gentlemen walking about. It's quite the place to be seen in Bath you know.”
“No I did not know. I have only been there once or twice myself.”
Helen led Adella onwards, and they soon found their way around the people going about their business. Carriages, chaises, omnibuses all clattering on the road. Families, children and adults alike all busying themselves walking here and there. After five minutes, Adella was glad to be out. The sun shone brightly and it warmed her heart. She forgot the torment of the last few weeks. Maybe Helen wasn't so bad after all.
Helen chatted incessantly about the latest fashions and who she had been getting to know, though Adella did not hear much of what she said. It was only when they walked through the stone gate that led to Sydney Gardens that Helen paused speaking. They walked about the grass under the trees, Adella admired the gardens and Helen didn't notice them for fear of missing anyone important.
They turned a corner on the path and suddenly Adella stopped.
She did a double take.
There in front of her was Mr Garner. He was with another gentleman, considerably older than himself, but his tailored suit and pristine appearance gave the immediate impression to Adella that he was a vain man.
She had not seen them coming and quickly started to move away, but it was too late, Mr Garner saw her and making a bow to both ladies said, “Well well well. Miss Maxwell. How delightful to see you again. You look positively glowing. We have not seen you at South Parade for some weeks. I wonder why?” Then indicating to his companion said, “This is my friend, Mr Yates.”
Helen fluttered her eye lashes at both men and after giving her best practiced curtsy said, “Oh Adella does not run errands for her brother any more. She is above all that now!”
“Is she?” Frederick said, not looking at Helen, but staring at Adella.
Adella frowned, “Come Helen, we must move on, I have to get back home, I have many things to do.”
“You have?” Helen betrayed.
Frederick smirked.
“Yes!” Adella said through gritted teeth.
“I'm sure Miss Maxwell could spare a few minutes to walk through the gardens?” Mr Garner said and offered his arm. Mr Yates offered his to Helen, who eagerly took it with a pathetic giggle.
Adella resolutely refused Mr Garner's arm, but walked forwards. It was not long before her fast pace made them outstrip Helen and Mr Yates. She hoped that he wouldn't be able to keep with her, but alas, he did.
They walked on in silence. Adella most unwilling to speak one word to this man unless propriety demanded her response.
Mr Garner spoke, “It is a very fine day is it not? Not the sort to get stuck inside with household chores. I do hope I am not keeping you from any important work you have at home.”
Adella glanced fleetingly at his face, “My work may appear to be insignificant and unimportant to someone like you, but I take pride in looking after my brother, he is very good to me.”
Frederick said quietly, “So good that he keeps secrets from you?”
Adella stared at him, she knew he was baiting her further, but his words intrigued her.
“Of course he has secrets from me. He has many patients and can't go around telling me everything about them.”
“Ah, but I am talking about a specific secret, and a specific patient we both know well.”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you not wonder why he spent an evening with Mr Polwarth and I a few weeks ago?”
Adella paused, wondering what he might mean. “H
e is called to South Parade many times, Mrs Polwarth is his patient after all.”
“I was not speaking about his visits to Mrs Polwarth. No, I was thinking of the time he came with the sole purpose to speak to Mr Polwarth.”
“Who my brother chooses to spend his evenings with is no concern of mine.” But there was already a feeling of dread arising in her.
“Indeed. But surely, if he chooses to spend an evening with your former fiancé; who tells him why he denied you in Sidmouth and all his sordid little secrets. Every last detail in fact. Surely he should not keep that a secret from you?”
Adella's mouth dropped open.
Frederick continued on, still with a curved smile, “Do tell me, what are you more amazed at, that I too know that you were blameless and that you were engaged to my friend, or that your brother knows the full truth and has said nothing to you?”
She blushed deeply and she managed to say, “You are lying. There is no way Leonard could know and not tell me. I only told him myself a few weeks ago.”
“Indeed, but I am not lying. I was there when Joel told Leonard everything. It was one Saturday night a few weeks ago, and we all sat around the fire and smoked cigars as Joel told Leonard why he abandoned you.”
Cigar smoke. It was that evening Leonard came back smelling of cigar smoke.
“I do not believe you, Leonard would have told me as soon as he knew. I know my brother and he simply could not keep something like that from me. You are an evil man to suggest it.” She stopped walking and looking round saw that Helen and Mr Yates were no where to be seen.
“You doubt me, but I will not take it personally, however much I am wounded.” There was a note of sarcasm in his voice. “If I were treated as you have been, I too would be cynical and twisted. But I tell you the truth. Ask your brother if he knows. You will be able to tell by his reaction when you do. After all, you know him so well and he is so good to you.”
Adella could take no more and started to walk back towards the direction where Helen would be. Mr Garner walked leisurely behind her.
At last, she saw them in the distance. Running now, she approached them.
“Adella! We thought we had lost you! Come and walk with Mr Yates and I. He has been telling me all about his latest business ventures. It's very interesting, though I haven't the faintest idea what he is talking about.” She gave a small giggle and fluttered her eyelashes at Mr Yates.
Adella flushed, her face contorted with anger. “It was a big mistake coming out today. You should not have made me! I am so annoyed at you Helen, you only think of yourself.”
Helen laughed a little and glanced at Mr Yates, said, “Adella, what are you talking about?
“Just that you are the most selfish, self-centred girl I have ever met!”
Adella walked away, then after a few strides started running.
She ran all the way home. Her mind clouded with Mr Garners words. She knew that as soon as Leonard was home she had to confront him about Mr Garner's accusations. Which, of course, she knew were completely false.
Chapter 13
Mr Alther stood behind the counter with an array of glass bottles and jars in front. Each with a liquid or powder in it; yellow, white, grey and clear. Each labelled with a name that meant nothing to Flora, but placed in front of them for a purpose. Flora was next to her uncle, patiently waiting for him to speak. She knew him well enough now not to disturb him as he concentrated on the task ahead.
He picked up a bottle that looked empty but as he swirled it round a little, a few drops of liquid could be seen at the bottom. Mr Alther gave a satisfied nod of his head, then leafed through the pages of a book, and ran his finger down the paper. He stopped and tapped a particular part of the page. He had found what he was looking for.
“Right. I am ready now Flora. This is what we need to make - ” but just as he was about to continue the door to the shop opened and an elderly woman walked in. A gust of wind went through the shop until she closed the door, clearing the thick air a little. The woman was dressed in black and wore a large bonnet that covered her head. Her face was screwed up, and it matched her ragged clothes.
“Oh no. Here we go again,” Mr Alther muttered to Flora. “It's Mrs Smith, or at least that is what she calls herself. Watch and learn with this one.”
Flora looked at the woman expectantly, wondering what she wanted.
“Good afternoon. How can I help you?” Mr Alther asked.
The woman looked about the shop to see if there were any other customers. She took a few more steps forward.
“I want -” she paused, and looked about again.
“Yes?” Mr Alther said leaning forward slightly.
“I want -” she lowered her voice to a whisper, “Arsenic.”
Mr Alther rolled his eyes.
“Oh yes, we have plenty of that!” Flora said brightly and turned to the shelf to her right.
The woman's eyes flashed victoriously, Mr Alther put his arm out to stop Flora as she reached up, “Sorry Flora. But we do not sell Arsenic to just anybody.”
Flora stopped and a confused frown came over her face. Her uncle continued as he stood defiantly, “We need references before we can sell such a dangerous poison.”
“Who from?” the woman asked.
“As I have told you before, from a magistrate, doctor or such. Somebody trustworthy who can vouch for its use.”
“I don't know anyone like that.”
“Then I'm sorry, you can't have the Arsenic.”
“But all I want to do is kill. . .rats. Thousands of them all in my house. Little vicious things scratching away all the time.” She made pawing motions with her hands.
“Sorry. I can't help, not without the references.” Mr Alther finished off his speech by waving her away with his arms.
“I'll go to Mr Greene's the other side of the city, he'll sell it to me.”
“Try if you like. He won't sell it to you either. Thick as thieves are us chemists when it comes to selling poisons.”
The woman sniffed. Then she turned and shuffled out leaving behind her another gust of wind as the door opened and closed. After she went, Mr Alther turned to Flora, “A strange one that woman. A bit peculiar in the head. That's the fourth time she's been in asking for Arsenic in as many weeks.”
“You had better tell me what else you don't sell to just anybody, so that I don't make a mistake.”
“Oh not much else. Mainly the poisons. Don't want to be responsible for a string of murders.” Mr Alther laughed a little. “I don't like selling anything like that to strange people. We have a duty to protect the public from those that would poison others.”
“Quite right,” Flora said.
Mr Alther looked at his niece over his glasses, “use your intuition Flora, look at the person and what they are asking for. If you are in any doubt, just say.”
“Now, back to making Tincture of -”
But before he could finish, the door to the shop opened again, and this time, it was Dr Preston who walked in.
“Afternoon everyone,” he said and removed his hat. His eyes betrayed a quiet sadness, but he brightened a little when he saw Flora behind the counter.
“Good afternoon Leonard, er I mean Dr Preston.” Flora said.
“I have that Opium you wanted Doctor,” Mr Alther said.
“Excellent.”
Mr Alther reached for a box under the counter and took out a small sealed brown paper bag. “Now pay attention Flora. Some doctors like to use Opium for their patients pain relief, others prefer Morphine. Dr Preston, could you tell Flora why you prefer Opium?”
“Well, it is quicker really. The effects are more obvious and direct. If the patient is in a lot of pain it gives instant results. Now, if the patient has more of a dull ache, then Morphine is better.”
Mr Alther went on, “And of course, they are both as highly addictive as each other, and they must be strictly regulated. Not all doctors tell their patients about the addictive qualit
ies of them though.”
Leonard nodded, “Indeed. That is true. I always tell my patients, and I try not to use either unless I have to. But this patient needs something strong.”
“Hmm I suspected as much. Not long left to live then eh?”
Leonard shook his head, “Sadly no. Not long left.”
Leonard was about to leave, having obtained his Opium, when the door was flung open yet again. It was Helen. She slammed the door shut and straightened her bonnet in an agitated manner.
“Well. I thought she was a nice girl, but I can see I was wrong! Saying such things! How dare she!”
“What ever is wrong, Helen?” Flora asked as Leonard quietly moved to the door for a quick escape. But large man as he was, he could not avoid Helen's notice in the small shop.
She turned to him giving him a shrewish look, “Not so fast Dr Preston!”
He instantly stopped, hand on the door handle. Helen continued, “It is your sister who said those things. I went to see her out of the goodness of my heart, and all I got was an earful of abuse.”
“What? From Adella?” Flora said with a small laugh.
“Yes. From Adella. I took her for a walk in Sydney Gardens, and she – she told me I was selfish and that I was self-centred and oh, other things. What do you think of that?” She took out her handkerchief and dabbed her eyes delicately.
Leonard and Flora glanced at each other, but it was Mr Alther who spoke. “Sounds like she spoke the truth. You are selfish and self-centred.”
Leonard tried not to laugh.
“Oh really! I thought at least with my own family I would get some sympathy!” Helen cried.
“But surely, if Adella had said these things, there must have been a reason?” Flora said.
Helen gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “Oh I don't know, she disappeared off with Mr Garner and I was with Mr Yates, and then suddenly she ran towards me and that is when she said those mean things. All I did was go walking with her.”
At the mention of Mr Garner's name, Leonard started forward a little. Flora saw it, and they locked eyes again.
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