Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn

Author:Deanna Raybourn [Raybourn, Deanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Fiction, General, Historical, Legal, American Mystery & Suspense Fiction, Fiction - General, American Historical Fiction, Historical - General, Fiction - Historical, Mystery & Detective - Historical
ISBN: 9780778328209
Publisher: Mira
Published: 2010-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

I was very nearly late to dinner at the Peacocks, for my visit to the White Rajah lasted some time. He regaled us with tales of his travels and several conjuring tricks—a bit of legerdemain for our amusement, and Robin and I laughed and clapped when he made a pair of pretty white doves appear on his hands, apparently from thin air. I was astonished that the slight deformity of his hand did not hamper his performance, for his movements were as graceful and beguiling as any professional magician’s. Beg as we did, he gave away nothing of his secrets, and in all, the White Rajah was an excellent host, and he pressed us to return as we took our leave of him. Robin made certain I knew my way down the regular path to the Peacocks and then set off, cross-country, butterfly net and stag beetle waving overhead as he disappeared into the underbrush. I had not questioned him about the valley or its inhabitants, I realised ruefully, but I had established myself as a person in whom he could confide, and I vowed to seek him out again soon to continue our conversation.

I was pleased to find Dr. Llewellyn at the Peacocks, emerging from Jane’s room with a brisk step and a clear eye. His hair was neatly brushed and his clothes were tidy, and I realised he was a rather good-looking young man now that I could see him properly.

“Lady Julia!” he said. Emotions warred upon his face—embarrassment, gratitude—but in the end gratitude won out, and he extended his hand to me. “Thank you for your kindness during my—”

“Indisposition?” I supplied.

He nodded. “A good enough word for it. I am having a good day today. I cannot speak for tomorrow, but I am well today.”

“I am glad of it. How does Jane?”

His brow furrowed. “Too much at the mercy of her emotions, I fear. I have seen it often enough. Expectant mothers are subject to every whim and fancy, and I know this has been an unspeakably difficult time for Mrs. Cavendish.”

“She is not in danger?” I asked sharply.

He gave me a gentle smile. “No, no. I think she is strong enough and the child as well. Mary-Benevolence was right to put her to bed, and I think it a wise precaution to keep her there until the baby is born. One hopes her fears and fancies will depart then. She will have the child to care for, and most often, that is all that is required to bring a mother to her proper frame of mind.”

I thanked him for his care of Jane and went to my room to dress for dinner, musing that solving Freddie’s murder might also go a long way toward easing Jane’s mind, provided she herself had not done the deed. If, like Lady Macbeth, she was tortured by conscience, there was no power on heaven or earth that could save her.

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