Death and the Black Pyramid (6 page)

To which she replied, ‘Pish. I should have thought it perfectly obvious.'

Lady Sidmouth poured out the sherry and handed round the plate of biscuits which Hopkins had placed before her. ‘You must excuse my wearing an apron,' she said. ‘Fact is I've been in the kitchen making plum jam. Our fruit trees were laden this year.' She fixed a piercing glance on Elizabeth. ‘Was there another reason for your coming to see me? Or was it merely to announce that you were with child?'

‘No, there was another reason, my dear Dorothy. My friend John travelled down in a stagecoach with two people whom you are currently employing. One was a dancing master, the other a milliner. You know of whom I speak?'

‘Yes, I know them very well. One is Simms, getting on in years but none the less a fine master of the Terpsichorean art. The other is Lovell, a dark-complexioned girl but for all that something of a beauty. They are both currently under my roof.' She turned to John, her tiny eyes gleaming with curiosity. ‘Why do you want to know?'

The Apothecary hesitated, wondering whether or not to tell her about the murder of William Gorringe. He decided to be truthful only after another glance at her assured him that she would ferret the facts out of him one way or the other.

‘Actually, a fellow passenger was murdered in the inn on the night before last. Jemima Lovell knew of it but Mr Simms did not. I wondered whether he should be informed before the Constable comes calling.'

‘Will he come calling?' Lady Sidmouth responded.

‘He might well. The hunt is on to find the missing passengers.'

‘Then go and talk to him, Mr Rawlings. He is teaching even while we speak. You will find him in the ballroom. Hopkins can show you where it is.' And she rang the bell again.

But as he mounted the stairs behind Hopkins's stoutly stockinged legs the Apothecary thought that he had small need of directions. For from a room on the first floor there came a great deal of noise – cries of ‘No, no. Do it like this,' followed by the strains of a frantic violin and a great deal of heavy-footed thumping. With a majestic gesture Hopkins threw open the door and John gazed within.

Children of assorted ages and sizes – a dozen of them – were ranged in ranks before a red-faced Cuthbert Simms, who had the traditional violin tucked beneath his chin and was presently haranguing them about not getting a step correctly. Eager young virgins of seventeen languished at the back while in the front were younger sprigs, one in particular looking horribly like Robin Sidmouth, all pouting mouth and high heels.

John stepped into the ballroom and every head turned in his direction. The dancing lesson ground to a halt.

‘Mr Rawlings,' said Cuthbert in tones of great surprise. ‘Whatever are you doing here?'

‘I have come to speak to you, actually.'

‘Very well. Ladies and gentlemen, you may take a short break during which you will practice the steps I have been endeavouring to teach you this morning.'

There were various squeals of protest but Cuthbert looked firm and clapped his hands, after which there were one or two half-hearted attempts made to obey his instructions.

‘Well, my dear Sir,' he said, drawing John to one side. ‘This is most certainly a surprise.'

‘Indeed it is, Sir. But truth to tell there was a fatality at The Half Moon which had not been discovered at the time you left. I thought it only fair to warn you that the Constable might come to interview you.'

‘Me?' exclaimed Cuthbert. ‘Whatever for? I know nothing about it. What fatality?'

‘William Gorringe was murdered in his bed during the night,' answered John, looking mild and honest – an expression he had been working on for some time.

‘Gorringe, you say? Oh dear me, whoever could have done that I wonder?'

He turned away, wiping his sweating face with a large handkerchief and John could see that even the back of Cuthbert's neck had turned bright red.

‘I've no idea. The matter is – as I said – in the hands of the Constable. We shall have to await developments.'

The dancing master was clearly flustered because he clapped his hands together and said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, you may have the rest of this morning off. I shall see you here at two o'clock sharply.'

There was a loud shout of delight and a charge towards the door. Cuthbert sighed. ‘No matter how hard I try they behave like little hoydens.'

‘Boys will be boys, I suppose,' John answered cheerfully. His gaze fell on two young ladies walking neatly towards the exit. ‘Now that couple do you credit. Who are they?'

‘The Lady Felicity Sidmouth – the Earl's sister. And the Honourable Miranda Tremayne. She's some sort of cousin and stays here as a guest.'

‘I see.'

As they drew level the pair dropped neat bobs and John made an effusive bow in return. Miranda gave him a saucy glance and as she went through the door turned to look at him over her shoulder.

‘My goodness, she's going to grow up a beauty.'

‘She already is,' sighed Cuthbert. ‘She has half the young men in the county calling on her. She is also my favourite pupil, being anxious to learn every dance there is.'

He was clearly relaxing now that the subject of Gorringe had been dropped but John felt it was his duty to persevere.

‘Did you know William Gorringe before the journey to Exeter?' he asked casually.

The colour swept back into Cuthbert's cheeks and he answered very swiftly, ‘No. No indeed. The man was a complete stranger to me until we met on the coach.'

He was just a little too emphatic John thought. But he felt he could question the dancing master no further. He got up from the chair to which Cuthbert had motioned him.

‘Well, my friend, I'll bid you
adieu
. I just thought I ought to warn you before the Constable descends on you.'

He watched the little man suddenly drain of colour. ‘When will that be, do you know?'

John shook his head. ‘I'm afraid that I have no idea. But come I think he will.'

‘Well, I can tell him nothing,' Cuthbert answered, and turned away.

John found the ladies in the kitchens, stirring large saucepans of jam. They looked up as he entered the room.

‘Ah, there you are,' said Elizabeth, gesturing with her wooden spoon.

John leaned over to sniff the jam. ‘Smells good.' He straightened and looked at Lady Sidmouth. ‘Would it be too much trouble to have a word with Miss Lovell?'

‘The dark beauty? Yes, by all means. She is upstairs in the sewing room. I'll take you to her myself.'

‘And I'll go too,' said Elizabeth. ‘I must have a look at this wondrous creature.'

I do believe she's jealous, thought John, and was intensely pleased with himself.

They went up the main staircase then ascended the wooden spiral used by the servants to get to the top floor. And it was here, sitting in a room that could easily become dark on a gloomy day, that Jemima Lovell sat, accompanied by a girl of about fourteen who was stitching a pile of shirts of varying sizes. Jemima looked up as the trio entered. She got to her feet and gave a hasty curtsey, while the girl did likewise.

‘Lady Sidmouth, how nice to see you.' Her eyes widened. ‘And Mr Rawlings. How do you do, sir?'

Elizabeth spoke up. ‘What is that you are working on, my dear?'

‘A headdress, Ma'am.' And Jemima passed it to Elizabeth, carefully removing the needle before she did so.

‘Why, it's beautiful. What a clever girl you are. Where did you find her, Dorothy?'

John's conviction that Elizabeth was green about the eye redoubled.

Lady Sidmouth snorted. ‘In London, of course. The place that you shun, my girl.'

‘I prefer the country, it's true.' She turned her attention to Jemima. ‘And whereabouts do you work, my dear?'

‘In Greek Street, Ma'am. At Madame Sophie's. She is French and came over with the Huguenots. Or at least her family did.'

Elizabeth gave a deep sigh. ‘I obviously miss much by keeping myself away from the capital.'

‘I can lend her to you,' said Lady Sidmouth, somewhat patronizingly.

‘I don't think that will be possible, Lady Sidmouth,' Jemima answered, sweet but firm. ‘Madame Sophie is expecting me back in two weeks and I have a great deal of work to do here.' She turned to John. ‘It was nice to see you again, Mr Rawlings.'

‘And you, Miss Lovell.' He lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘May I have a word with you in private?'

‘Yes, by all means. When and where?'

But he never got the chance to answer her. Elizabeth was at his side, dark hair gleaming and eyes lit from within.

‘Come along, my dear,' she said. ‘We really must be getting back.'

‘I've a question to put to Miss Lovell first. I was going to ask her in private but as we are so short of time I will have to forgo that.'

Jemima stood her ground. ‘Ask me then, Sir.'

‘It's this: Had you met anyone on the coach before you started your journey?'

‘Yes,' she answered, somewhat surprisingly. ‘I knew the actress, Paulina Gower. She buys hats from Madame Sophie. We had met before.'

‘And that was all?'

Jemima lowered her eyes. ‘Yes, that was all. The rest were complete strangers to me.'

Why did John get the strong impression that the girl was lying?

Going back in the carriage John knew a moment of intense happiness as he thought that just for once he had the better of Elizabeth. This was followed by instant shame that he should be so childish. Yet nothing could take away his delight that she had actually appeared jealous of Jemima Lovell, who admittedly was an attractive young creature. He glanced across at the Marchesa and impulsively took her hand. She turned to him and smiled and in that instant he suddenly feared for her. She looked tired and it occurred to John that this pregnancy, coming so late in her life, was going to be a great ordeal, culminating in a labour that surely would not be easy for her.

‘My darling,' he said, ‘you must retire to bed as soon as we get back.'

‘Nonsense,' Elizabeth answered roundly. ‘It is the height of the day. I shall dine as usual. Indeed I am quite hungry.'

‘Promise me that you will retire early then.'

‘My God, John. You are not going to turn into a grandmother are you? I really could not abide being nursemaided. I warn you that I shall continue to live my life as usual until the last possible moment.'

The Apothecary gave a rueful smile. ‘And when will that be? When you go into travail I suppose.'

She smiled and squeezed his fingers. ‘Maybe a week before,' she answered. And John knew that even if he remained with her for the rest of his life she would eventually be capable of winning every point.

Six

John woke early the next morning. Beside him Elizabeth slept quietly, her dark hair spread over the pillow, one hand curling up delicately, like a water lily. She was turned away from him and did not stir as he rose and crossed to the window, drawing the curtains back slightly to look out over the early daylight vista. Below him the river Exe wound its serpentine way through the valley and looking to his right he could see the city of Exeter dominated by its great cathedral. Standing there silently John knew that he must go there today and seek out the Constable, that he could not let the matter of the murder of William Gorringe drop as any other citizen would. That all his years of working with Sir John Fielding and Joe Jago had altered his thinking indelibly. With a sigh at his own folly, John went into the dressing room and put on his clothes.

Having breakfasted alone he went back to the bedroom to find the Marchesa awake but looking slightly pale.

‘How are you today, Madam?' he asked, and kissed her hand.

‘To be perfectly honest I feel a little unwell. I think I shall stay here awhile.'

‘I told you yesterday you looked tired.'

‘And I told you that I will not be nursemaided.'

John looked at Elizabeth very seriously. ‘You do want to carry this baby to term, don't you?'

She gave him a beautiful smile and instantly seemed young and fresh again. ‘Of course I do. I longed for another child when my son died and now to have one by an attractive and clever man is more than I could have hoped for.'

‘Then take the pregnancy with care, sweetheart. Allow me to go to an apothecary in Exeter and get you some physic.'

She took his hand. ‘I am sorry if I sounded ungracious just now – and yesterday as well. It is just that I cannot bear fuss. But you are right. I am old indeed to be having a child and I must take that into consideration. I will do as you say, Apothecary, and rest.'

John thought that he had never known her so compliant and decided to utilize his advantage. Leaning over, he kissed her.

‘I will order the servants to bring you your breakfast in bed. And I shall go into Exeter if I may borrow one of your horses.'

She burst out laughing. ‘I knew there was method in your madness. Choose any beast you like. By the way your hired mount has been returned by one of my grooms.'

‘Thank you for that. I won't be long,' he said, heading for the door.

‘And you ought to pay your respects to Sir Clovelly Lovell while you are in town.'

‘I shall make a point of it.'

‘And you are to give him my kindest regards.'

‘Of course.'

A quarter of an hour later and he was in the saddle and heading for Exeter at a brisk trot, wondering just how best to organize what seemed like a very busy time ahead. He decided to leave his visit to Sir Clovelly till last and to make his pursuit of the Constable his first priority. But as fate would have it his entire plan had to be shelved because on entering Exeter one of the first things John saw was a hand bill advertising a prizefight between Gentleman Jack McAra and the Black Pyramid. Fascinated, he drew nearer and saw that the bout was to take place that very afternoon. Knowing instantly who would love to accompany him, John turned his horse in the direction of The Close and the home of that dear little fat man of whom the Apothecary had grown extremely fond over the years.