The Deceptive Lady Darby (Lost Ladies of London 2)

“Well, what does it say?” Oliver modified his tone, concern now the overriding emotion. “You can tell me.”

Rose sighed. Oh, she should lie, but only a fool would tackle this problem alone. “It says I’m to come to the Chelsea Physic Garden at two o’clock today. That I’m to wear a coat and breeches, as women are not permitted entrance. That I’m to bring the blue book.” She closed her eyes briefly. “Should I fail in the task, Lord Farleigh and his children will suffer a fate similar to that of his late wife.”

Nicole’s mouth gaped open.

Oliver scrunched his napkin in his fist as he stared at her. “Who the devil sent it?”

“I don’t know.” No one would sign their name to something so threatening. “But he goes on to remind me that a man must watch what he eats and drinks. Poison is an invisible enemy often consumed without knowledge.”

“The Physic Garden is well known as the garden of the apothecaries. They study all means of plants there with a view to creating new medicines.”

And tonics and tinctures, no doubt.

Rose’s heartbeat pulsed hard in her throat. Someone skilled in botany was responsible for the illness at Everleigh. But how was she to pass for a gentleman of science? “What if they see through my disguise and turn me away?”

Oliver slapped his palm on the table, shaking the delicate china. “Don’t think for one moment I’ll let you go gallivanting off on your own.”

What was it about men and power? After a two-year absence, did Oliver think it was acceptable to charge into her life, firing demands? “It is not your choice to make.”

“Does this have something to do with the sickness you mentioned?” Nicole said, not giving Oliver an opportunity to respond.

Everything came back to the sickness. Everything came back to the reverend’s need to search the rooms at Everleigh. “In a way, although I believe there is also a connection to Morton Manor.”

“Morton Manor?” Nicole frowned. “Will we ever be able to put that place behind us?”

“Perhaps only when we discover the true value of the blue book. At first, I suspected Lady Farleigh had a gambling habit, and that it was a record of her creditors. But now it is evident that someone deems it important enough to threaten murder.”

Nicole exhaled. “So, what are we to do?”

Rose recalled the words she’d read three times now. “Under no circumstances am I to contact Lord Farleigh. I’m to go to the garden alone. The instructions are clear.”

Oliver threw himself back in the chair. “And if you think I will let you walk out of here to meet someone capable of these vile and vicious taunts, think again.” He paused and thrust his hand through his mop of ebony hair. “I’ve failed you once before. I’ll not fail you again. If you insist on going, then we’ll come with you.”

“But you can’t. What if he has a boy watching the house?”

“He?” Oliver arched a brow. “You’re certain this person is a man?”

It was not her place to accuse anyone, but she knew she would be meeting either Dr Taylor or Reverend Wilmslow. “I’m certain. Besides, women cannot access the garden.”

One question plagued her thoughts. How did the culprit know she had the book? She’d walked out of the house with it in her hand, but the staff at Everleigh had always assumed it belonged to her. After her brother’s wedding, she’d taken a moment to scour the names on the tombstones in the churchyard in Abberton, looking for a correlation between the names in the book and those of local parishioners. But Reverend Wilmslow had been deep in conversation with Oliver and Nicole.

Nicole cleared her throat. “You’ll not like what I’m going to say, but the book does not belong to you. Should Lord Farleigh not have a say in what happens? Isn’t he the one who’s suffered at this man’s hands?”

If Rose acted on her own without seeking Christian’s counsel, what then? How would he ever trust her again? “You’re right. But Lord Farleigh will do everything in his power to prevent me from going.”

Oliver snorted. “In that case, I find I like him a little more.”

Anger flared. “No part of this is amusing, Oliver. Two women died. The staff at Everleigh suffer from a constant sickness. Lord Farleigh has spent two years living under the misconception that he is somehow to blame for it all.”

Oliver raised his hand. “Forgive me. Let us not argue. Our time is better spent formulating a

plan. Although I am opposed to this meeting in the strongest possible terms, I can see you have limited options.”

Nicole gazed up at Oliver and smiled. “It’s simple. Rose leaves in a hackney cab, and we leave in the carriage half an hour earlier. We call for Lord Farleigh and explain the situation, visit the garden and act as patrons. I assume the garden is open to the public?”

Oliver nodded. “Yes, but it’s as Rose stated. Women are not permitted entrance.”

Rose scanned Oliver’s broad chest. “And therein lies another problem. Where are we to find a coat and breeches to fit?”