The Deceptive Lady Darby (Lost Ladies of London 2)

“Hmm. You have a valid point.”

“And the staff are far too busy to roam idly in the woods.”

“So, where would you suggest I look?”

Rose fell silent. It struck her what one deemed a coincidence often amounted to more than chance. “If I had trouble solving a conundrum, I would return to the beginning and start again.”

Everleigh’s elaborate gates appeared in the distance. Dr Taylor tutted and muttered something under his breath. Evidently, he found the conversation useful.

“Perhaps it all comes back to Lady Farleigh,” she continued. “Things went awry shortly after her death. And then there is the case of the other woman found in the woods.”

The rumble of thunder in the distance distracted them momentarily.

“You speak of Miss Stoneway?” Despite the evident threat of a storm, he slowed the horse to a walking pace.

“I do.”

“There is nothing mysterious about her death. The woman suffered from what I would call an identity disorder. In the end, it became too much for her to bear. I attended her on a number of occasions at Morton Manor. She attacked the reverend during one of his attempts to save her soul.”

Rose considered his comments. No one would argue that people in an asylum were sick. By all accounts, Lady Farleigh’s troubled mind was to blame for her demise. Nor did Rose doubt that evil lingered in the air around Morton Manor. Still, she felt a nagging need to probe further.

“I hear both you and the reverend also saw Lady Farleigh during her weekly visits to the manor.” Did the doctor know of Lady Farleigh’s affair with the warden? Surely he must have had an inkling.

“You know about Lady Farleigh’s condition?”

“Only that she suffered with her nerves.”

A chuckle left his lips although the sound failed to convey amusement. “Her nerves? The lady’s problem stemmed more from her desire to behave like a spoilt child. And as I’m sure you’re aware, children thrive on attention and will often go to great lengths to satisfy their needs.”

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t imagine Christian marrying a woman deemed so shallow and uncaring. How could a man with such a noble character live with a woman with such loose morals? Rose sighed

inwardly. Perhaps part of her problem stemmed from jealousy. The thought of Christian sharing intimate moments with any other woman sent a stabbing pain straight through her heart.

“Lord Farleigh is a good man, and he deserved better,” Dr Taylor continued. “It is part of the reason I continue to visit Everleigh, despite getting no further with the cause of his troubles.”

They reached Everleigh’s impressive roman-inspired entrance, and Dr Taylor tugged on the reins and brought the horse to a stop. Did his reluctance to enter the premises stem from the heated discussion he’d had with Christian?

“Are you not coming up to the house?” she asked, eager to test her theory.

“I’m afraid Lord Farleigh is a little frustrated with me at the moment,” he said honestly as he assisted her to the ground, “and rightfully so. Then again, Reverend Wilmslow’s insistence he search the house only hinders those who feel a genuine need to help.”

“What does he hope to find?” Her thoughts flicked back to the children’s comments. Had the reverend been searching their drawers and cupboards looking for something specific? “Surely not a poisonous plant lurking in the linen cupboard.”

Dr Taylor’s blue eyes flashed with amusement. “That is a question I’ve often asked myself. But who are we to question the morals of a man of God?”

Morals? What a strange word to use? It implied Reverend Wilmslow had strayed from the one true path to enlightenment.

“The righteous often have their own agenda,” she said.

“Indeed.” That one simple word brimmed with cynicism. The doctor’s eyes scanned her from head to toe. “I’m sure we’ll have an opportunity to speak again. Indeed, I shall look forward to the event.” He tipped his hat. “But for now, you should do as your doctor instructed and return to your bed and lock the door. One never knows when the dreaded fever will strike.”

Rose wasn’t sure how to take the last comment. Was the doctor trying to warn her about something?

He left her at the gate and turned towards the lane but then looked back over his shoulder and called, “Good day to you … my lady.”

Chapter Fourteen

Rose hurried to her room, her heart battering her ribcage. Thankfully, she’d made it back before Christian returned from Abberton. But that was not the cause of her distress.