“But how can you keep them from slipping something into the bottles?” Caleb asked.
“Judith will open them. She’ll insist on doing it herself and not drink from the bottle unless that’s the case. Understand?” he asked, looking at Judith.
She nodded and nibbled on one of the cookies. Caleb was encouraged by her willingness to eat. He met her gaze. She was so beautiful, even in her sickness. He wanted to declare his heart right then and there, but Micah had other plans.
“I’m going to listen to your heart and lungs, Judith.”
She handed Caleb her cookie and soda. Micah examined her while she waited in silence. Caleb still didn’t like the idea of leaving her. Perhaps he could convince Whitley to let his sister come and stay with Judith. Of course, if they agreed, they would expect Camri to take meals with them, and what if they started poisoning her as well?
“You are improved, but only slightly,” Micah declared. “I’ll come again in the morning and see how you’re feeling. The next twenty-four hours should tell us a great deal.”
“But it’s Easter,” Judith protested. “You should take the day with your family.”
Micah smiled. “I’ve come to think of you as family, so no arguments. Can you eat a bit more?”
Judith took the cookie from Caleb. “I can and will. I want to do whatever I can to put this behind me.”
“Just remember what I’ve said. Eat and drink nothing else. Nothing,” Micah instructed.
Bill entered the room and smiled at the trio. “It’s good to see you so improved, dear Judith.” He frowned. “What is it that you’re eating?”
“A special concoction I had made for her,” Micah answered before Judith could speak. “I also want her eating nothing else. She has some bottled tonic that she can drink, but otherwise no teas or even water. I want to ensure that she makes a full recovery.”
“What a strange idea,” Bill said, shaking his head. “I know some people claim that soda drinks can act as healing medications, but I was unconvinced.”
“This is brewed by a trusted friend.” Micah got to his feet. “Now, I must go. I promised to help Dr. Barringer with your grandmother.”
Bill nodded. “That’s what I came to tell you. They are ready to move her, and I believe they could use your help.” He looked at Caleb. “Yours too.”
Caleb glanced at Judith. He didn’t want to leave her but knew he must. “I’ll come to see you tomorrow and bring Camri too.”
“I’d like that.” Judith finished her cookie and reached for the bottle Caleb still held. “Thank you for coming to check on me. It helps just having you here.”
Micah paused at the door. “Remember what I said about the drinks, Judith. Only open them when you are ready to drink the entire bottle. Otherwise you will compromise the effectiveness.” He nodded at Bill and exited the room.
Judith couldn’t believe how much better she felt by morning. She was still weak as a kitten but no longer dizzy, and her head didn’t feel as if it would explode. She considered the possibility of someone poisoning her. It seemed outrageous. Why should anyone feel threatened by her? Of course, Caleb said it was probably all about the money—money that William and his children would have had if she weren’t in the picture. However, the lawyer had already drawn up all the papers. She’d even signed additional paperwork that allowed Mr. Pettyjohn and Caleb to transfer many of her father’s previous holdings into her name. So with all of that complete, why would anyone continue to try to harm her?
“Good Easter morning to you!” Bill said, sailing into the room without so much as a knock.
Judith glanced around, wondering where Sarah had gone. “Good morning.”
He gave her a silly grin. “I got you this. I remember how much you love chocolate.” He handed her a box of Ghirardelli candies. “Happy Easter.”
Judith smiled. “I do love chocolate, and it was kind of you to remember.”
“Well, open them up and have at it,” he encouraged.
She started to do just that, then remembered what Micah and Caleb had said. She shook her head. “No, I should wait until after Dr. Fisher comes to check on me.” Bill frowned, and she quickly added, “Then I shall dive in with great abandon.”
His smile returned. “Well, Father, Vicky, and I are off to church, and then we’ll stop by the hospital to see how Grandmother is faring. Father will probably want to have something to eat while we’re out, because after that we’re taking Vicky to catch her train. It’ll be late in the afternoon before we’re back, but I’ll check on you the moment I return. Maybe help you eat some of those chocolates.”
Judith fingered the edge of the box. “I’ll be happy to share.”
He chuckled. “If the good doctor comes and allows you to go ahead, feel free to start without me. In fact, I insist. After all, it’s your Easter gift.” He gave a slight bow and left the room as quickly as he’d come.
Judith looked at the box. Perhaps just one or two chocolates wouldn’t hurt. After all, it wasn’t something anyone here had made. This was a box of store-bought chocolates.
But even as temptation washed over her, she shook her head. Micah had said to eat nothing but what he’d brought her, and he’d promised to see her first thing this morning.
“I can wait that long.” She put the chocolates beside her on the bed.
“Can I get anything for you, Miss Judith?” Sarah asked, entering the room.
“I’d love a little fresh air. I’m starting to feel like myself again. Hopefully when Dr. Fisher comes, he’ll deem me well and let me get out of this bed. If so, I intend to sit on my balcony and read.”
The maid smiled at her. “Very good. I’ll open the French doors, and then you should at least feel the breeze. Then, if you don’t need anything else, I’ll tend to some personal things.”
“You go right ahead, Sarah. I’m going to sit here and read my Bible until the doctor comes.”
It was nearly half an hour later when Micah appeared at her door. “Your butler said it was all right to come up. It seems the rest of the family have gone for the day.”
“Yes. They went to church and then to take Victoria to catch her train. Bill told me it would be late afternoon before they returned.” She glanced beyond Micah at the empty doorway. “Caleb didn’t come?”
Micah smiled. “He wanted to, but he wanted to take care of something first. I’ve no doubt he’ll come see you at the first possible opportunity.”
Judith met his amused gaze and felt her cheeks warm. She remembered Caleb holding her hand and putting it to his cheek—to his lips. He cared for her. At least that was what she remembered, but maybe it was just the sickness wreaking havoc with her mind.
Micah came to her bedside and frowned as he caught sight of the chocolates. “Don’t tell me you’ve been eating those.”
“No. I was very obedient. Bill brought them to me this morning. I told him I had to wait until you came to say whether or not I could have some. He might join me for a few pieces, if so.”
“I don’t think it would be wise to eat them. They’re rich, and they might be too much for your system to handle just yet.” He picked up the box. “They appear newly purchased.” He set his bag on the bed, then opened the lid and looked down at the candy.
“I suppose so. Bill said it was an Easter gift. He was so happy that I’m recovering.” She shook her head. “You totally made me forget about Grandmother. How is she?”
“Not good, Judith. I wish I could give you better news. She’s very frail. Her heart is weak, and her kidneys have all but shut down.” He put the lid back on the chocolates.
Judith tried not to succumb to her sadness. “Is there anything we can do that isn’t being done? Obviously money isn’t a problem. If we need to purchase something, Caleb knows more about my funds than I do, and he could help you.”
Micah shook his head and took her pulse. After a moment, he finally spoke. “We’re doing everything we can. She has a disease called diabetes. It
destroys the internal organs. There’s no cure, not even any decent medication, although there are some promising finds. I’m sad to say they won’t be developed soon enough to help your grandmother.
“I am glad to say your pulse is stronger. I believe you’re over the worst of it, but given how quickly you’ve turned around, I truly believe someone was poisoning you. I don’t like to think that way, and I don’t accuse lightly.”
“Then they poisoned Grandmother too.” She felt tears come to her eyes. “I just don’t understand how people can be so evil. I’ve done nothing to anyone here.”
He shrugged. “Nothing but take away their dream of inheriting a fortune. Caleb had a long talk with Mr. Pettyjohn. He wasn’t eager to reveal the truth, but eventually he did admit that William made some very bad investments and hasn’t recovered. Mrs. Whitley is basically providing for William and his family.”
“She told me. Wouldn’t that make it all the more important to keep her alive and well?”
“Not at all, Judith. If she dies, then they will inherit. I suppose whoever is behind the poisoning believes that if you also die, then everything will go to your uncle.”
She nodded. “That was the arrangement I agreed to for now. I told Caleb I wanted him to create another will for me, but we haven’t had time to go over it.”
Micah finished her examination, then glanced at the box of chocolates again. “Judith, would you allow me to take several pieces with me? I’d like to see if they can be tested for poison.”
“Of course. Take the whole box.”
“I should, but if Bill happens to be the one doing this, then he’ll wonder why the entire box of chocolates has disappeared. Maybe this way, you can tell him you’ve already opened the box. When he sees some of the candy missing, perhaps he won’t question why you won’t eat anymore. If he starts eating the candy, it’s probably a good sign that the pieces aren’t poisoned. However, remember, he too was ill, and it’s possible someone else had access to the candy before he brought it to you.”
Judith looked at the box. It might as well be another rattlesnake. The danger was there, but there was no way of knowing the degree. Hopefully, Micah could find out.
“Happy Easter,” Camri said when she arrived to visit Judith later that afternoon. Patrick was with her, as well as Kenzie.
“Aye, Happy Easter,” Patrick said. “Ye’re lookin’ as though ye’re feelin’ a mite better.”
“I am.” Judith strained to look beyond the big burly Irishman. “Where’s Caleb . . . ah, and Micah?”
Camri smiled. “I thought you might notice my brother’s absence. He planned to be here, and he may yet join us. He had an emergency meeting to attend. Apparently, there is a big conflict with Ruef and the Board of Supervisors over whether or not to allow underground cables for the trolleys versus overhead. It’s been an ongoing problem, and Rudolph Spreckels and James Phelan are determined to force the issue.”
“On Easter Day?”
This merited a shrug from Camri as she joined Judith, who sat in a chintz-covered chair in the sitting room of her suite. “I don’t know all of the issues, but it seems that Spreckels is determined to file papers tomorrow morning. There’s some sort of deadline.”
Judith tried not to appear disappointed. “Ah, well, duty calls. Did you have a lovely church service?”
Kenzie sat on a chair beside Judith. “It was very nice. I think every woman in the congregation sported a new hat.”
“Aye,” Patrick agreed. “They were so large and pinned with so much frippery that it was hard to see Pastor Fisher in his pulpit.”
Camri laughed. “He’s right. There were a great many hats.”
“Did you wear new dresses and hats?” Judith had planned to wear one of her new gowns for the holiday. Instead, she sported a lacy white robe and nightgown.
Kenzie shook her head. “I wore my pale green and peach gown. My mother used to say it was sinful, the way people got new clothes and gussied up for Easter Sunday. The focus shouldn’t be on us, she said. So I couldn’t bring myself to buy anything new.”
“Our mother used to say something similar,” Camri admitted. “She told us that we should be looking to the beauty of the resurrection and what Christ had done—not our neighbor’s apparel.”
“Well, I’m sure you were both beautiful.” Judith knew better than to ask what Caleb had worn, but she couldn’t help but wonder. He looked so dashing in formal wear, but she also liked the navy blue double-breasted suit that he often wore to church. She pushed the thought aside. “Aren’t you going to sit?” she asked Camri.
“No, Patrick and I can’t stay long. We’re heading to the cemetery. Ophelia’s new headstone was laid last week, and we want to inspect it and make sure they did it right.” She bent over and gave Judith a hug. “I’m so glad to see that you’re feeling better. We truly feared we might have lost you.”
“You might have, had Caleb and Micah not been insistent on seeing me. Once Micah forbid me to eat anything but what he brought me, I rallied rather quickly.”
“So they said.” Camri looked at Kenzie and then back to Judith. “That’s why I hope you’ll understand what I have to say next.”
Judith took in the grave expression on her friend’s face. “What is it?”
“Well, we know that your grandmother is in the hospital, and that leaves you here alone with the people who were probably responsible for your illness. We want you to consider leaving this place.”
CHAPTER
24
Judith was sitting on the balcony, watching the sunset and thinking about Camri’s insistence that she leave Whitley House, when Sarah announced that Bill and his father had returned home. The men wanted to know if they might come see her.
“Of course.” Judith put aside the book she’d been trying to read and straightened her robe. She felt swallowed up in lace and ribbon. If one judged wealth by the amount of fancy trim on their clothing, she was certain to impress. “Are they . . . alone?”
Sarah looked at her and frowned. “Yes, do you not remember that they took Miss Victoria to the train station?”
“I knew that. I just wondered if anyone else had come to visit.”
“No, miss.” Sarah left the room, shaking her head as if Judith had completely stumped her.
Judith did her best to hide her disappointment. She could hardly make a scene wondering why Caleb hadn’t come to call. It was well past the hour for normal visiting, and she’d seen nothing of him, but it was hardly something she could discuss with Sarah. Nor with her uncle and cousin.
“You are looking much improved,” Uncle William said, joining her on the balcony. “But it’s getting rather chilly.”
Judith nodded. “I was just about to come inside.”
Bill came up behind his father and beamed a smile at her. “I believe your Dr. Fisher knows what he’s doing. You look amazingly well.”
“I feel nearly recovered.” She did her best to relax and not think about the fact that either of these men might have been responsible for her illness. “Were you able to see Grandmother at the hospital?”
William nodded, and his expression betrayed his worry. “She’s very ill. She asked about you, however.”
“Do you suppose I might be able to go see her tomorrow?”
“That depends on your doctor’s wishes. I told Dr. Barringer that Dr. Fisher would continue to provide your care. It seems his treatments have worked wonders. I might even inquire as to getting some of that bottled tonic for Mother.”
Judith reached for her book. “I’ll ask him when he comes if he’ll provide some, and if I might visit Grandmother. Did Victoria make her train?” She stood, and Uncle William took her arm.
Bill spoke before his father could reply. “She did, along with two of her friends who are going to the finishing school with her. They are all three being accompanied by a very severe governess who will no doubt keep them from having a single moment of fun.” He grinned. “Just deserts where Vic
toria is concerned.”
William helped Judith into her sitting room. “Now, Bill, that’s hardly called for. Your sister can be difficult at times, but she’s soon to be married and has a great deal on her mind.”
“That’s a decent excuse for now, but what about the other nineteen years of her life?”
Uncle William shrugged. “Let’s not speak of it now. Instead, let’s focus on Judith. You’re looking the picture of health, and if your doctor approves you visiting your grandmother tomorrow, I will drive you there myself.”
“Thank you, Uncle William.” She motioned to the chintz chair. “I’ll sit there by the fireplace. Sarah promised me a fire this evening.”
“I see it has been laid. No doubt she’ll soon come and light it,” Uncle William said, stepping back as Judith took her seat.
“If not, I’ll tend to it myself,” she assured him.
“Nonsense, child. You’re a Whitley. Those tasks are beneath you,” her uncle said matter-of-factly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I long to get out of these clothes and relax. I instructed Cook that we would dine casually in our rooms this evening. If there’s something you want in particular, just let Sarah know.”
“I’m still on restrictions. Dr. Fisher left me with his prescribed food. He will be by to see me in the morning again to let me know whether or not I can resume regular eating.”
“I suppose that means he didn’t allow you any chocolate. He must believe in torture,” Bill said, shaking his head. “Well, hopefully you’ll be set free tomorrow. For now, I believe I’ll follow Father’s example and go change. If you like, I could come back later and we could play a game of cards.”
Judith shook her head. “I’m rather tired and plan to make an early evening of it. I’m hoping the additional rest will see me completely restored by morning.”
“Of course.” Bill leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Good evening, sweet cousin.”
Uncle William drew close and bent to kiss her cheek. “I’m so delighted that you are better. Mother would never have let me hear the end of it had anything happened to you.”
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