Raven (Gentlemen of the Order 2)

Sophia choked back a sob. Guilt formed the basis of her emotion. If she believed these men, then she had failed Jessica. She had given the trusted doctor free rein to administer his treatments—but only because she loved Jessica and wanted her well.

She swallowed past the pain in her throat and faced Blent. “Although you have no evidence against the doctor, do you know why he might want to drug her, want to keep her subdued? Do you know why Jessica’s manner is so erratic of late?”

Blent pursed his lips but seemed hesitant to reply.

“Only the truth will save Miss Draper and free her from this torment,” Mr Ashwood said.

Blent nodded. “Up until a few months ago, Goodwin has been giving her laudanum to quieten her mind. Mrs Friswell gives only half the dose and has done for years.”

Finlay folded his arms across his chest. “During which time you’ve forged a friendship with Miss Draper that has grown into something more.”

“Yes.”

“Dr Goodwin said the laudanum settles the volatile part of her mind,” Sophia said, cursing herself for being fool enough to believe him. “Without it, he said Jessica might behave as she had done in The Trout Inn that night.”

Oh, the doctor had seemed so convincing, seemed genuinely concerned. And to think she’d let him dine at her table.

Blent swore beneath his breath. “A few months ago, the doctor changed her medication and started putting thoughts into her head. I heard him tell her Mr Archer had returned from India and was waiting to speak to her in the woods.”

Mr D’Angelo cleared his throat. “I’ve checked the passenger records on every ship to dock from Calcutta during the last three months. There is no record of a Mr Bartholomew Archer aboard any vessel.”

“Many shipments of cloth from Calcutta dock in Lancashire,” Finlay said. “A man with devious intentions might board the ship and travel south by mail coach.”

A devious man might have made the journey more than three months ago. A devious man might have used an alias to travel.

“I saw a man lurking in the woods,” Blent countered. “Not a vagrant or poacher, but a gentleman. I’ve had the hounds out every night searching for him.”

Finlay snorted. “Let me guess, he has blonde hair and ridiculous side whiskers.”

Lord Adair? Was Fitzroy a liar and a pest?

“No. He was clean-shaven, tall with a mop of golden blonde hair.”

“Mr Archer! It has to be him

.” Sophia’s words sent the room plunging into a heavy silence.

But if this stranger was Mr Archer, why did he not simply call at Sophia’s home in Portman Street and ask to visit Jessica? Why all the secrecy and lies? Had he returned with Maud? Heavens above, that would certainly complicate matters.

“But why the sudden change in her medication?” Mr Ashwood mused.

Blent shrugged. “Mrs Friswell has been trying different restoratives in the hope it will help with whatever the doctor puts in his vials. The doctor has grown suspicious and makes Jessica drink the medicine before he leaves.”

No doubt Mrs Friswell believed in her herbal remedies, but it was highly likely she had been making the matter worse. Finlay had been right to insist they remove Jessica from Blackborne. Finlay was always right. Except when it came to their estrangement. Had they grown close again after Hannah’s death, he might have prevented this nightmare. And yet the fact he’d become lost in a dark cloud of grief, the fact he’d struggled to find his way back to her, made her love him all the more.

“Nothing has changed since yesterday,” Finlay said, addressing Sophia and his colleagues. “I need to get my hands on the doctor and throttle the truth from his lying lips.”

“Then tell us how we can be of service,” Mr D’Angelo replied. The gentleman seemed excited at the prospect of witnessing a fight.

Finlay stroked his beard while he thought. “First, we need sleep. Sloane, I’m sure you can find Blent a room.”

“Indeed.”

“I shall visit the apothecary in Hyde Street. I stole vials from the doctor’s bag and asked the apothecary to determine the contents. Sophia, while I’m away, perhaps you could sit with Blent and Jessica and see what else you can learn.”

Sophia glared at Blent. “Yes, we have a lot to discuss.”

“Do you need my assistance?” Mr Ashwood said. “I can stay if required.”