Death in the Peerless Pool

by Deryn Lake

  ‘Yes, but …’ John protested.

  ‘I think she would be an ideal choice for someone to help you but, of course, the option to ask her must remain with you,’ said the Blind Beak firmly, then laughed again at some private joke of his own.

  In the event the decision was made for John. Longing to see Coralie again but dutybound to go home after he had closed his shop, not having set eyes on Sir Gabriel since he had returned from Bath, the Apothecary found his heart leaping high as he hurried through the front door and heard a female voice coming from the library. Rushing down the passageway, he flung the door open. And there she was, looking divine in an emerald-green gown. Throwing convention to one side, John’s new love had daringly come to visit him.

  ‘Coralie!’ he said breathlessly.

  ‘Good afternoon, Mr Rawlings,’ she answered, but her smile said it all. She had missed him as much as he had her.

  Going into the room, well aware of Sir Gabriel’s quizzical gaze and determined to look calm and collected despite it, John gave a fanciful bow, to which Coralie, already on her feet, responded with a formal curtsey.

  ‘Miss Clive, how pleasant to see you again.’

  ‘May I return the compliment, Mr Rawlings. It seems like an age since last we met.’

  ‘To what do we owe the honour of this visit?’

  ‘I thought I would invite you and your father to dine with me while I have a short break from the theatre.’

  John feigned a puzzled expression, loving the playful and very exciting act of deception. ‘A short break?’

  ‘It is Bartholomew Fair and the playhouses are closed, though my sister Kitty is participating in the event.’

  ‘How kind of you to ask.’ The Apothecary turned to his father. ‘Sir?’

  Sir Gabriel’s look was unfathomable. ‘I rarely refuse an invitation from a beautiful woman. I would be delighted to accept, Miss Clive.’

  She flashed John a glance that made him go hot and cold. ‘And you, Sir?’

  ‘Your every wish is my command.’

  Sir Gabriel’s clock struck half past three, breaking the crackling atmosphere that was passing between the two lovers. Almost as if it were a cue, the older man rose to his feet. ‘If you would excuse me, I need to have a word with one of the servants. Pray stay a while, Miss Clive. Indeed, if you wish to join my son and myself for a simple repast, then we would be more than delighted. Wouldn’t we, John?’

  ‘Delighted,’ repeated the Apothecary, never taking his eyes from Coralie’s face.

  ‘How very kind,’ she breathed.

  The door closed behind Sir Gabriel’s retreating back and they flew into one another’s arms and kissed wildly. ‘I’ve missed you,’ he said.

  ‘It’s been all of twelve hours.’

  ‘It seemed much longer.’

  ‘John, we have to be sensible.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because when we are both working we will inevitably be apart.’

  The Apothecary smiled into her lovely eyes. ‘I know. You are right. But it is all a bit too soon and a bit too beautiful for me to act rationally. Let us be mad for a few more days before we pass on to the next phase.’ He frowned. ‘And talking of that reminds me.’

  ‘Of what?’

  ‘I was with Mr Fielding earlier today and like a fool suggested that you might be able to help me with this investigation.’

  Coralie held him at arm’s length. ‘Why like a fool?’

  ‘Because it would mean our parting company almost straight away. He wants you to go to Bath and try to get into conversation with Orlando.’

  ‘And who might he be, pray?’

  ‘I will tell you everything as long as you promise not to go.’

  Coralie’s eyes narrowed. ‘What? First of all you suggest I help you, then in the next breath you tell me not to. What do you want?’

  ‘To marry you.’

  Coralie brushed her lips against his cheek. ‘My very dear John, let us start our relationship as we mean to continue it. I have already told you that the day is far distant when I take a husband. Now, to other, more important things. It is my express wish that I do help you and Mr Fielding. Remember that I was assisting the Blind Beak when we first met.’

  ‘But we are investigating a murder. Recall what your sister said about putting oneself in danger.’

  ‘I was in danger when I saved your life.’

  ‘Is there nothing I can say to dissuade you from taking part?’

  ‘Nothing at all. My mind is made up.’ Coralie lowered her voice discreetly. ‘Tell me, where are you spending tonight, my dear?’

  ‘With you,’ the Apothecary answered, and drew her close before they went to find Sir Gabriel.

  Some two hours later, after the actress had gone, John and his father retired to the library to drink a measure of port, an occasion not as comfortable as it normally was. The younger man sat in silence, staring into the glass’s ruby depths, wondering just how much he should tell Sir Gabriel about his love affaire with Coralie. In the event, though, the wind was taken completely from his sails by his father saying, ‘I see that you two have finally become lovers.’

  Totally startled, the Apothecary looked up. ‘What did you say?’

  ‘That you have flown in the face of convention, as do so many young people nowadays, and taken the woman of your choice to bed.’

  John simply could not help himself. He laughed at the sheer audacity, the sublime shrewdness of the man, now over seventy years old, who had adopted him as a child.

  ‘How did you know?’

  ‘It is written over both your faces for all the world to see.’

  ‘Father, if you are going to give me a lecture on morals …’

  ‘Perish the thought!’

  ‘Then let me simply explain that I have asked her honourably to marry me and the minx has refused.’

  ‘Much as you imagined she would.’

  ‘Yes. But meanwhile she offered me a situation in which we become lovers and remain so until she achieves her ultimate ambition in the theatre and is finally ready to settle down to family life.’

  ‘Is this, then, the coming thing? O tempora! O mores!’

  John looked serious. ‘It may well be. I am sure Coralie leads the way. However, who am I to argue with such an arrangement? To love her or to lose her; which would you have chosen?’

  ‘As you have done, of course. But, my son, there is a flaw in this state.’

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘That if she keeps you dangling on a string too long you will tire of her.’

  The Apothecary could not help but acknowledge the truth of what Sir Gabriel was saying.

  ‘Then let us hope she is sensible and understands that.’

  ‘I agree. For Coralie is beautiful and intelligent, witty, but not altogether wise. In other words, she would make a perfect daughter-in-law.’

  ‘If she ever decides to enter the married state, that is.’

  Sir Gabriel leant forward and kissed his son lightly on the cheek. ‘Just enjoy the situation for what it is worth. Who knows where fate will lead one next. Now, my dear, let us be practical. All I ask is that you tell me when you are going to be at home so that I have no cause for concern when you are absent.’

  ‘You are very understanding.’

  ‘That is the duty of every parent to a good child, in my view.’

  ‘You still consider me good?’ Sir Gabriel nodded. ‘You truly are one of the most remarkable men of our time,’ said John, and raised his glass to the linchpin of his life, his father in all but the actual, Sir Gabriel Kent.

  It was late when John’s chair arrived in Cecil Street, but still Coralie waited up for him, dressed in a white nightrail trimmed with scarlet ribbons. She had ordered a light supper to be served before the fire in her bedroom, and they ate it lying on low cushions set in front of the flames. It was so romantic, so idyllic, that the Apothecary began to feel he had entered a dream world and refused to spoil it wi
th tales of the murder he was investigating. Nor, indeed, by telling the strange story of Meredith Dysart and the children of Bath. Not, in fact, until the next morning when they breakfasted together did John recount all that had happened since Hannah’s body had been discovered in the Fish Pond.

  Coralie’s eyes widened in shock, then she asked a very pertinent question. ‘Is it possible that all of this is connected?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Well, if these Spiriter people were working throughout Europe, could Meredith and Lady Allbury’s daughter have been snatched by the same gang?’

  ‘I suppose it’s feasible. Yet somehow, and it’s no more than a feeling, I do not believe that either child was destined for the plantations.’

  ‘And what of Sir Vivian Sweeting’s houseful of wards? Were they all abducted as well?’

  ‘That is my point. If they were snatched to be slaves what were they doing living with him? If possible, Coralie, try to talk to Jack the coachman. If Orlando doesn’t invite you to dine, then somehow you’ll have to find an excuse to visit the house unofficially. Though for God’s sake don’t take any risks.’

  ‘I shall be perfectly safe. Do you think Sir Vivian is the type to be impressed by a title?’

  John considered. ‘Quite probably, yes.’

  ‘Then I shall pass myself off as the Marchesa di Spinotti, wife of some crumbling old Italian diplomat. The fact that they think me married will make me safe as far as the men are concerned, yet they will all still want to flirt with me, even seduce me perhaps.’

  John looked askance. ‘’Zounds and zoodickers, Coralie! Don’t go on with this mad scheme, I beg you. I do not want to think of my mistress being pawed by every old wretch in Bath.’

  ‘But you said Orlando was young.’

  The Apothecary threw his hands in the air. ‘Are you doing this to annoy me?’

  Jumping to her feet, Coralie came to stand behind him, putting her arms round his neck and kissing it. ‘Yes, of course I am. My dear, I have been in the theatre eight years; since I was sixteen. I truly have learned how to take care of myself.’

  ‘Still, I don’t like the idea of it.’

  ‘You are not going to become jealous and possessive just because we have shared a bed, are you?’

  John looked at her with a straight face. ‘I am only human, sweetheart. If the pangs of jealousy did not stir in my heart, then you would consider me callous indeed. I have no wish to live your life for you, but on the other hand I am obviously concerned for your welfare.’

  He was rewarded with another kiss and Coralie saying, ‘I really am very fond of you, you know.’

  ‘So I should hope in view of our arrangement,’ the Apothecary answered, and pulled her on to his lap so that he might take leave of her in proper loving style before, for the time being at least, the pair of them parted company and went their own separate ways.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When William Kemp, jeweller and renowned citizen of London, had taken on the task of turning a dangerous swimming pond into one of the capital’s most enchanting hubs of leisure, he had overlooked nothing at all. As well as building himself a charming home and various structures in which to house the different baths and changing rooms, he had also created a lodge close to the main gates to act as both office and ticket bureau. And it was to a tiny salon contained therein, as delightfully furnished as if it were a genuine lodgekeeper’s dwelling, that John was shown when he arrived at the Peerless Pool later that morning. Mr Kemp himself was on duty and had personally ushered the Apothecary on to the premises.

  ‘You seem very busy,’ John had commented, running an eye over the line of people waiting to show their subscription tickets as they passed through the entrance.

  Agile as the dancing master he resembled, William had spun on his heel. ‘It was just as Mr Fielding said. When we reopened for business after the murder, patrons formed a veritable queue. Indeed, the Fish Pond has been so crowded since that I have been forced to obtain more rods. The human race will never cease to surprise me.’

  ‘There is certainly an unpleasantly morbid streak lurking in us all,’ John answered as he went into the lodge.

  ‘Alas, how true. Now, you wish to see Tobias Wills? Nothing wrong, I trust?’

  John shook his head soothingly. ‘No. I am merely clearing up one or two points and hoping to jog his memory a little.’

  Mr Kemp looked relieved. ‘I’m glad to hear it. A sound man is Toby.’

  ‘Have you known him long?’

  ‘Only about a year. But please be assured that in that time he has shown his worth. Why, it was he who helped you get the body up, if you remember.’

  ‘How could I forget?’ John answered, and wondered, as he had several times already, why it was that Toby had lied about how he knew the gender of the murder victim. But the ex-soldier’s face as he marched into the room military-style, then stood rigidly at attention, gave nothing away, and the Apothecary mentally paled at the thought of the task lying ahead of him.

  He adopted a pleasant approach. ‘Toby, you will never know how grateful we all were for your help on that terrible day when the dead woman was found.’

  The old soldier gave him a contemptuous glance. ‘Well, scant reward I’ve had for my pains and that’s a fact. I’ve been accused of being a liar by practically everybody, including yourself.’

  John changed tack as swiftly as the wind at sea. ‘As you now accuse me.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Half the size of the powerfully built Toby, John none the less brought his face to within an inch of the other man’s. ‘Because you know as well as I do I never mentioned that the body at the bottom of the Fish Pond was that of a woman. And no bluff or bluster on your part is going to make a ha’p’orth of difference on that score. Listen to me, Tobias …’ John decided to take several wild guesses and see if anything he said hit home. ‘… it is my belief that you saw the murdered woman being brought into the grounds in a wheelbarrow. You may or may not have seen her being thrown into the Pond. I don’t know. But whatever the case you decided to keep your mouth shut because you recognised her. How? Because you had met her before when you had gone to visit your young relative in St Luke’s Hospital for Poor Lunatics.’ The ruthless streak that was part of the Apothecary’s make-up suddenly surfaced. ‘That is the best construction I can put upon your actions. The worst is that you actually aided and abetted the murderer, perhaps even committed the crime yourself. Now, tell me the truth or I shall repeat this whole thing in front of the Blind Beak.’

  Toby was tough, there was no doubt about that. His leathery face barely moved a muscle, though his eyes darted frantically. ‘That’s what you suppose. You’ve got no proof of it.’

  ‘Then you leave me no choice but to order the Runners to take you to Bow Street – and bring along your relative from the asylum while they are at it.’

  ‘You wouldn’t do that.’

  ‘Oh yes I would,’ John answered nastily. ‘The murdered woman, Hannah Rankin, has a strange past, one that has not yet been untangled. If ordering a lunatic to tell what he knows, cruel though that might be, is necessary to find out who and what she was, then so be it.’

  Toby coughed and stared at the floor. ‘Don’t bring the boy into it, Sir. It wouldn’t be right. He knows nothing.’

  The Apothecary had a moment of inspiration. ‘He’s your son, isn’t he?’

  Tobias did not look up.

  ‘I see. What a tragedy for you. How long has he been incarcerated?’

  At last Toby stared him in the eye. ‘Since the hospital was built. I used to pay for him to be looked after, but it stretched my army wage to the limit. I was a regular soldier, you see, and Tom was born to a camp follower, my woman of the time.’

  ‘What became of her?’

  ‘She was a bad lot. She took off with an officer and put Tom out to a baby farmer. I think something that happened to him in her charge unhinged him. He was born normal as
a rosebud but had gone quite simple when I came back from fighting and went to find him.’

  ‘Was any of this to do with Hannah Rankin?’

  Toby looked genuinely surprised. ‘No. I’d never come across her before I saw her at St Luke’s.’

  ‘Then why did you dislike her so much?’

  ‘Because she used to beat my boy. That’s what he told me, and though Tom might be an imbecile he has never lied in his life.’

  ‘And that fault was sufficient to allow you to calmly watch her being wheeled in here, bleeding and beaten, then thrown, weighted down, into the Fish Pond?’

  ‘No, there was something else,’ Toby answered reluctantly.

  ‘What was it?’

  ‘Something somebody said, nothing I knew for sure.’

  ‘Can’t you give me any details?’

  ‘No. It concerns other people. I swore to keep it to myself.’

  ‘Mr Fielding could order you to tell him on oath what you know.’

  More white than usual showed in Toby’s eyes. ‘Don’t let that happen, Sir. I would be betraying a trust.’

  ‘Then just give me the gist of it and I promise to say no more.’

  ‘Somebody I know came to me when they heard my boy was in St Luke’s. They asked me to find out if a Hannah Rankin worked there. Then they said a little about her past, that’s all.’

  ‘What did they say?’

  ‘Simply that it was unsavoury. I can’t go any further.’

  ‘Very well. So you were not surprised when you saw her murderer wheel her body in through the gate from the fields?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Who was it, by the way?’ John asked casually.

  Toby flung up his head. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Who was her killer?’

  The old soldier gave the Apothecary a steadfast look. ‘I don’t know and that I swear to you. All I saw was a figure in a voluminous cloak that hung to the ground,’

  ‘Was it a man or a woman?’

  ‘That I couldn’t tell you. The person wore a hat and mask, and a most eerie thing the mask was too.’