19 - Engagement in Stickleback Hollow by Woolley C S

Author:Woolley, C S [Woolley, C S]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781991171955
Google: H4vd0AEACAAJ
Publisher: Natal Publishing, LLC
Published: 2023-09-26T12:09:03+00:00

Of all the investigations that the Baker boys had been involved in, the case of Lady Sarah’s poisoner was one that Lee and Stanley would not forget. They were both worried about their mentor, not for their own sakes, but because the future of such a generous woman was now in question.

They had felt quite spurned when Mr Arbuthnot had said their help was not needed, but glad that Sylvia had insisted on investigating, regardless of his instructions.

They knew that a great deal of faith had been placed in their abilities when they had been dispatched to Chester. They had not ridden on their own in one of the brigadier’s carriages before, and normally this kind of event would have been viewed with a great deal of excitement.

But with their thoughts focused on the task before them, the Baker boys usual boundless energy and joy was somewhat muted.

“She won’t die, will she?” Lee asked suddenly, breaking the silence that the two boys had been travelling in.

“No, she can’t,” Stanley replied far more firmly than he had expected. He barely believed his own words as they were based more on hope than fact.

“Right,” Lee said. The conviction in his brother’s voice was enough to settle his own nerves, even if he only chose to believe Stanley because that is what he wanted to hear.

They lapsed back into silence for the rest of their journey to Chester and focused on the job that lay before them.

When the carriage lurched to a halt, they were outside one of the more reputable chemists that they city had to offer. Mr Charnley was an old friend of Doctor Hales and extremely well thought of in his profession. He had many linctures, tinctures and tonics that were very effective, as well as medicines, poisons and other chemicals that caused Lee and Stanley to be transfixed with wonder the moment they stepped through the door.

The shop was laid out around a long horseshoe counter that ran from one side of the door to the other. It was made from dark mahogany that seemed to suck in all light from around it, and though the gas lamps burned brightly, the place seemed by dark.

Great shelves of mahogany towered behind the counter and reached up to the ceiling, filled with glass jars and other wonders.

“Good morning, can I help you sirs?” Mr Charnley asked from behind the counter. He was a well presented man with extremely tidy hair and very well manicured nails. He was as fastidious in how neatly his shop was kept as well as his appearance.

“We’ve come from Grangeback Manor,” Lee began. He was aware that they were often overlooked because of their appearance as young and wiry boys that often forgot how important washing their hands and face were.

“Ah, bad business,” Mr Charnley said darkly.

“Indeed. I am surprised you know of it,” Stanley said slowly.

“The city is alive with talk of nothing else,” Mr Charnley replied. “It is tragic for such a young bride to be struck down at her engagement feast.

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