Dead Silent by Tracy L. Ward

Author:Tracy L. Ward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gothic, historical, doctor, medicine, forensics, detective, victorian, historical 1800s
Publisher: Tracy L. Ward

Chapter 16

The voice of the bird

Shall no more be heard,

Margaret was already dancing by the time Ainsley emerged from the study. Evelyn had taken some time to allow her eyes to dry but had anyone looked closely they would have seen evidence that she had been crying. Thankfully, most of the guests were dancing, drinking champagne or engrossed in jovial conversations so no one noticed. Ainsley felt Evelyn squeeze his hand as she walked by him before drifting again into the crowd. He could see her greeting people and smiling without even a hint of the anxiety and fear that had engulfed her moments ago.

A footman appeared beside him with a silver tray adorned with flutes of champagne. Ainsley took one, though he cared little for that form of drink, and downed it rather suddenly.

“What did the Inspectors want with her?”

Ainsley turned to see Daniel at his side, smelling of cigar smoke and brandy. He spoke softly enough so no one would hear, though Ainsley wondered if he also heard a hint of indifference.

“You knew they were interviewing her and you didn't come?” Ainsley hissed, though quietly. He glanced behind them, taking note of who may have been near.

Daniel shrugged dismissively. “Why should I? She's my fiancée, not my wife.”

The pair bowed slightly as Lord and Lady Guilford walked in front of them. Lady Guilford, a cantankerous old goat, waved her lace fan before her face and only smirked as she paraded by.

“Sod-faced old crow,” Daniel muttered. He tipped his fluted glass to his mouth. He turned to Ainsley who had already finished his glass and was acquiring another. “Father has asked that we keep an eye on Mother.”

Ainsley drew the glass to his mouth eagerly but found the contents unsatisfying. He could not very well be everyone's secret keeper, not without something a might bit stronger.

Seeing Ainsley's face Daniel laughed. “Come,” he said, tapping Ainsley on the chest, “follow me.”

Ainsley followed his brother through the hall, dancing to their left and boisterous conversations on their right, until they were on the empty back veranda, the cold night making visible wisps of their breath. Ainsley watched as his brother pulled a bottle from behind one of the planters. “Evelyn's brother, Will, told me this is part of his secret stash.” Pulling the cork, he offered Ainsley the first drink.

Whiskey.

“A likeable fellow.” Ainsley said as his brother drank.

Daniel shrugged. “Likeable enough. Though I confess I don't plan on spending that much time with him so it hardly matters.”

Ainsley nodded accepting the bottle again.

“Found my secret stash, huh?”

Ainsley turned to see a short man approaching them from the hall doors, a wide, amused grin decorating his face. He offered a hand to Ainsley who shook it briskly. “Will Weatherall,” the man said. Even his words seemed to smile.

“Peter Marshall.” As they shook hands Ainsley noticed Will kept his other hand in his pocket.

“My sister says you may be her new favourite brother,” Will said warmly, accepting the bottle Daniel offered him.

“I doubt that,” Ainsley answered, abashed.

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