Dr Grace appeared above Bunny’s shoulder and pressed the fingers of one hand against her wrist. ‘Look at me, Flora. Breathe in gently, now hold it for five seconds. That’s right, now exhale slowly. And again.’
Flora obeyed, relieved to find her panic slowly receding. Her rapid heartbeat settled into a less frightening rhythm and the room stopped spinning.
‘What’s wrong with her?’ Bunny’s eyes filled with anxiety.
‘A moment of panic that’s all. Perfectly normal after what she has experienced.’ Dr Grace patted his shoulder on her way to the door. ‘I’ll leave you two alone. If you need me, I’ll be right outside.’
‘Are you sure you’re all right?’ Bunny asked when she had gone. ‘Sorry, that was a stupid thing to say.’ He raised her palm to his cheek and held it there.
‘No, but I’m much happier now you’re here. How did you find out what happened? Did Inspector Maddox send for you?’
He shook his head. ‘William telephoned me at the office to say you were at the hotel and that the police were searching for Ed. He had put a policeman to watch you, which is why I thought you were safe and everything was under control.’
‘For a while that was true, then I’m afraid I gave him the slip.’
‘Which is what I was told when I arrived at The Dahlia, fully intending to give you a stern talking to before bringing you straight home, I—.’
‘When did that ever work?’ Her short laugh developed rapidly into a cough that made her gasp with sudden pain.
‘I have to keep up the pretence I have my wife under control.’ He planted a kiss on the back of her hand to show he didn’t mean it. ‘Hush, I haven’t finished. When I arrived at the hotel it was to be greeted by William who informed me you had been shot and were being brought here. I’m sorry to say I became quite upset, but I didn’t mean to tear his suit.
‘Wait. You tore William’s suit?’
‘Not his, Maddox’s. He kept telling me to calm down, which made me furious, so I grabbed his lapels and shook him. I demanded he explain how he could have allowed it to happen and – well, one of them came off in my hand. Shoddy workmanship if you ask me.’
‘He’s on a policeman’s salary, what can you expect. Did he uh… tell you everything?’ The Webley Bulldog sprang to her mind.
‘He explained how Francis told him you and Ed were in the basement. He and William went straight down there but didn’t know you had been hurt until they got there.’
‘Then how did he miss running into Agnes?’
‘Maddox is still trying to work that part out. It appears that basement is a maze of old tunnels dating back to the sixteen hundreds.’ He shrugged. ‘While they were loading you onto a makeshift stretcher to bring you here, Timms comes rushing in brandishing Ed’s note and looking terrified.’
‘Ah.’ Flora licked her dry lips. I know what that was about.’
‘Precisely. Did Ed actually drive the Berliet there?’
‘Yes, and although I take responsibility for everything else that happened – I had no idea he would take the motor car. I assume you found it?’ She had forgotten all about Ed taking the motor. Timms must have been frantic to have turned up at the hotel looking for it.
‘Do you honestly think I would go looking for the blasted motor, when you were…?’ Bunny flushed, sheepish. ‘No, I left Timms to find it and came with you in the ambulance. In case you’re wondering, the manager located the Berliet for me. It was exactly where Ed had left it. In an alley down the side of the hotel. Undamaged, thank goodness.’
‘Unlike your wife,’ Flora added, taking a minor triumph from his embarrassment. ‘Did William tell you what happened?’
‘I got most of it from Ed, but as he was euphoric and concussed at the same time, it took a while to get the story straight. Did you really stop Agnes shooting him?’
‘I don’t remember it being quite like that, but she was quite determined to make him pay for having ruined her nice little scheme.’
‘It was courageous of you, but jolly reckless. Naturally I’m relieved Ed is safe, but, my God, Flora,’ his voice caught with emotion, his grip on her hand tightening. ‘I almost lost you.’
‘But you didn’t.’ She returned the pressure of his hand, the only part of her which did not hurt, her eyes tightly closed against the memory of lying on the floor of Agnes’s office in agony, terrified at the thought of leaving everything she knew.
‘Are you in a lot of pain? And don’t say no, because you wince every time you move.’
‘As a comparison, I would have to say being shot wasn’t quite as bad as having Arthur.’
‘My goodness, really?’ His voice choked again and he turned his lips into her hand, his breath hot on her skin.
‘How is Ed? The whole thing must have been a terrible shock for him. Is he all right?’
‘As I said, he suffered a concussion, but he’s on the mend. Or he will be when Jocasta stops ranting at him for getting both of you into this mess. She only draws breath long enough to burst into noisy tears, then hugs him until he complains he can’t breathe.’
‘She is pregnant, so you have to make allowances.’
‘Ed’s pretty proud of himself for having helped you foil a double murderer’s escape.’
‘But we didn’t. If Paige is to be believed, it was Agnes who killed Leo and Sylvia, and she’s still out there somewhere.’
‘Semantics. Paige conspired with her, so he’ll certainly hang. It’s only a matter of time before they catch up with Miss Sharpe.’
‘I hope you’re right. I feel so sorry for Colonel Hunter-Griggs. He was so pleased to have reconciled with Leonard after all these years.’
‘Miss Francis was also worried about how the news would affect him, but after the initial shock, she said he’s been remarkably stoic.’
Dr Grace reappeared at the door. ‘Your parents are outside. Shall I explain that you need to rest and ask them to come back tomorrow?’
‘No, please, I want to see them,’ Flora said. ‘But you’ll have to give me a moment or two to make myself respectable. I must look a fright.’ She disentangled herself from Bunny’s arm and slowly, carefully, eased upright. ‘Is there a mirror here?’
‘Er… no,’ Dr Grace threw Bunny an oblique look. ‘But l could brush out your hair.’
Their combined uneasiness told Flora all she needed to know about her appearance.
‘Let me do that.’ Bunny took the hairbrush from Dr Grace and applied it to Flora’s hair. ‘I passed Sally dozing on a bench in the visitors’ room. I doubt she’ll leave either until she’s reassured you’re all right.’
‘That’s what Dr Grace said.’ Flora bit her lip as tears threatened, this time from the harsh treatment to her scalp.
‘She’s been helping with Arthur while you’ve been here, although I don’t think Milly is impressed to have her role usurped.’ He leaned closer, his breath on her cheek. ‘I would have brought flowers, but Dr Grace disapproves.’
‘You don’t need to bring me anything. After you, the only thing I need is Arthur. How is he? Does he miss our after-breakfast playtimes and bedtime stories?’ She hoped Bunny would say yes, but at the same time didn’t want Arthur to fret. Not when there wasn’t anything she could do about it. Children weren’t allowed in hospitals unless they were ill.
‘He cannot voice his displeasure yet in anything more than grizzles, which tell me he wants his Mama back. He’s being thoroughly spoiled too as my mother has been calling in every day to fuss over him.’
‘Your mother’s home from Eastbourne?’ If a visit from Beatrice was imminent she ought to warn the hospital staff.
‘She says April is too cold for a coastal holiday.’ Bunny said.
‘I could have told her that. Had she asked,’ Flora murmured, her teeth gritted as another knot came away.
‘Not bad, even if I do say so myself.’ Bunny stepped back to admire his work as Dr Grace finished bathing Flora’s face with a cool cloth. By the time
William and Alice were ushered in, she felt almost human again.
Chapter 35
‘Flora, I’ve been frantic.’ Alice hugged Flora gently but awkwardly, tipping her pert hat further over one eye. Flora returned her embrace as she inhaled jasmine and starch, a fragrance she now associated with her mother. ‘When they brought you down from surgery, you were still unconscious and I was only allowed in the room as a professional courtesy. Since then, Dr Grace has kept me at bay.’ She shot a hard look at her fellow medic, which did not make so much as a dent in the doctor’s composure.
‘As a nurse, you of all people shouldn’t complain about hospital rules’ She pressed a hand against her midriff to hold down a laugh that threatened.
‘I know, but it’s different when it’s your own flesh and blood. I had no idea how terrifying the waiting could be.’
‘You gave me a fright when I returned to the lobby to find you gone, Flora.’ William reached across Alice and tenderly smoothed hair from Flora’s forehead.
‘I’m sorry, I know I should have stayed where you told me, but—’
‘Never mind all that now.’ Alice flapped her hand at him. ‘What matters is that Flora is going to be fine. Also, while we awaited news, I’ve had the opportunity to catch up on what’s been going on in the Trent family during the years I have been away.’
‘Jocasta came to visit us at Prince Edward Mansions last night and stayed for supper,’ William replied to Flora’s unasked question. ‘The two of them gossiped for hours.’
‘She hasn’t changed at all,’ Alice said, laughing. ‘Jocasta is as spirited and outspoken as she was as a child and hasn’t she turned out lovely? I cannot believe she’s a mother and about to have a second child.’
‘She told you?’ Flora asked, surprised. ‘Well, don’t say anything. She hasn’t made an announcement to the family yet.’
‘No, she didn’t, but as you said yourself, I’m a nurse. I have an instinct for these things.’
‘Inspector Maddox sends his apologies.’ The bed dipped as William perched level with her knees. ‘He had to go back to Canon Row but wanted you to know he’s delighted you’re making a good recovery. He also said he has something of yours which he’ll return later. I asked him what he meant but he wouldn’t explain.’
‘I’m sure it’s something and nothing.’ She waved him off, hoping Maddox would keep quiet about the Webley Bulldog. The way her body felt right then she hoped never to see the thing again.
‘Do Lord and Lady Trent know what happened?’ Flora rapidly changed the subject.
‘I wired the ship, explaining briefly what had occurred.’ Bunny nodded. ‘Couldn’t have them walking into this without any warning. Not when they’re bringing Lady Amelia and the children back with them.’
‘I’ll warn you now, Jocasta is likely to invite you both to the house party. If she hasn’t done so already.’ Flora said.
‘By which time, Alice and I will be married.’ William grasped Alice’s hand on the coverlet and brought it to his lips. ‘We can all go to Gloucestershire together.’
‘William,’ Alice nudged him, indignant. ‘You promised I could tell her.’
‘You were taking too long and I couldn’t wait.’ He pinched her chin gently between his thumb and forefinger.
‘And I kept my mouth firmly shut, as instructed,’ Bunny added, hands spread in surrender.
‘You knew?’ Flora stared at him, blinking away welling tears.
‘Don’t be cross with him, Flora, we swore him to secrecy,’ Alice said.
‘I’m not cross. I’m delighted, but it’s happening much faster than I imagined.’ Flora smiled up at them. ‘I will be able to attend the wedding, won’t I?’
‘It’s to be a civil ceremony at Caxton Hall on May sixteenth. You have just over three weeks to recover.’
‘Then I’ll book my bath chair now,’ Flora said, determined not to miss something as momentous as her parents’ wedding.
‘I’m also giving up the Foreign Office,’ William added. ‘Secret government work is beginning to pall.’
‘I shan’t pretend I’m not thrilled about that.’ Flora wondered if her remark about the government funding foreign revolutions had struck home. ‘What will you do instead?’
‘I’m considering buying an estate near George and Venetia in Gloucestershire. Cirencester perhaps, or Tewkesbury. Not as large as Cleeve Abbey, of course, but somewhere you and Bunny can bring Arthur to stay for the holidays. Anyway, there’s no rush. I want to get used to being a married man first.’ He pulled a reluctant Alice to her feet. ‘We should go. Leave Flora to rest.’
‘We’ll call again tomorrow.’ Alice threw her a kiss over her shoulder from the door.
They had barely quit the room before a commanding female voice sounded from the hallway.
‘Indeed, I did hear you say Mrs Harrington isn’t receiving visitors, but I very much doubt she meant me.’ Lady Jocasta Fitzhugh glided into the room, her still slender figure draped in a layered sapphire blue coat over an amber-coloured gown and a matching wide-brimmed hat which trailed amber ribbons artfully arranged on her abundant sausage curls. She not only looked but sounded so much like her mother, Lady Trent, Flora was quite taken aback.
‘How are you, Flora darling?’ She bussed Flora’s cheek, the smell of face powder and perfume subsuming the antiseptic smell that overpowered the room. ‘What a dreadful thing to happen. I nearly fainted when that charming inspector told me you’d been shot. And when you were saving my wretch of a brother too,’ she said as if it were a daily occurrence. ‘Oh, darling, you have horrible purple bruises beneath your eyes.’ She bent and traced a line on Flora’s face with a gloved finger.
Dr Grace appeared with a glass of something pale amber which bubbled, her face a picture of disapproval which was lost on Jocasta.
‘No thank you,’ Jocasta airily waved her away. ‘I’m about to have luncheon.’
Dr Grace rolled her eyes behind Jocasta’s back and Bunny hid a smile behind his hand.
‘It wasn’t Ed’s fault.’ Flora grimaced at the bitterness of the liquid on her tongue. ‘The situation evolved out of a set of unfortunate circumstances.’ She was feeling sleepy again but knew at the first sign of a yawn, Dr Grace would dismiss them all.
‘When Papa hears the full story, he’ll be livid you took a bullet for a Trent. How will he hold his head up at White’s after this?’
‘I hope that was a joke.’ Jocasta’s coy smile left an element of doubt. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you at the beginning, but Ed didn’t want anyone to know.’
‘Just as well you did. I would have been worried sick, if I wasn’t sick enough already.’ Jocasta hunched her shoulders and giggled, a protective hand on her abdomen. ‘You must convalesce at the Abbey. Alice has agreed to come after the wedding, so, between them, she and Dr Grace can oversee your return to health.’ She grimaced as she realized what she had said. ‘Oh dear, there I go again when William asked me not to mention it. Sorry.’
‘He told me about the wedding a little while ago, so you haven’t spoiled the surprise.’ Flora’s voice hitched as a wave of emotion combined with weariness overwhelmed her.
‘Why are you crying? You never cry. Aren’t you pleased?’ Jocasta pouted again.
‘Of course, I am. It’s the best news I’ve heard for days.’ Flora dashed a hand across her wet cheek.
‘That’s all right then.’ Jocasta’s eyes brightened. ‘I’ll travel down to the Abbey at the same time with Mabel. Jeremy can join me later when the House rises for the summer recess. I’m longing to see Amelia again, it’s been five years since she went off to America to get married. I’ve missed her terribly.’ She stared off for a moment. ‘You don’t think my big sister will have become too grand, do you? What with living with all those wealthy Americans at their summer cottages the size of Buckingham Palace?’
‘Whatever gives you that idea?’ Flora blinked back welling tears, fighting to remain calm.
; ‘Emerald does. She said a title was an asset but no one can compete with that sort of wealth.’ She sniffed delicately. ‘I’m fortunate in that marriage has mellowed me.’
Flora exchanged a swift look with Bunny, who backed away a step, hands held up in surrender.
‘Oh, I almost forgot.’ Jocasta’s pensive frown transformed into childish delight. ‘I met Miss Francis Hunter-Griggs. What a charming woman and certainly the newest advocate to the Flora Harrington appreciation society.’
‘Don’t be flippant, Jo. She’s recently discovered her family has been cruelly duped.’
‘Yes, and what a scandal!’ Jocasta ignored Dr Grace’s admonishing sigh. ‘Now I must go.’ She began to adjust her hat, gave the room a sweeping glance but, finding no mirror, abandoned the idea. ‘I’m having luncheon with Milly Soames and her sister-in-law, whose name I can never remember. Marianne Apsley will be there and that insipid friend of hers, Liza something or other. I can’t wait to see their faces when I tell them my cousin was shot apprehending a killer.’
‘It wasn’t quite like that, Jocasta.’ Flora’s eyelids began to feel heavy, but she forced herself to stay awake. Though she knew she was safe, she dreaded the thought of being left alone. The sound of Agnes’ gun discharging still echoed inside her head.
‘Oh, darling, no one really cares about the tiny details. It’s close enough.’ Jocasta blew her a kiss from her fingertips before floating out of the room on a cloud of ‘Joy’.
‘She’s right, you do look tired,’ Bunny said when she had gone.
‘It must be these nasty bruises under my eyes,’ Flora muttered dryly. ‘I’m exhausted, but cannot sleep until I’m sure Ed is all right. Please let him in, even if it’s only a minute or so.’
‘Five minutes only.’ Bunny nodded curtly towards Dr Grace, who offered no further protest as she disappeared into the hallway. She returned in seconds with Ed, his face wan but smiling and a rumpled white bandage encircling his forehead.
The Bloomsbury Affair Page 33