Vengeance in Venice: Victorian Historical Romance Mystery (Silver and Grey Book 6) by Mary Lancaster

Author:Mary Lancaster [Lancaster, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2025-09-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Constance had fallen asleep again, her water glass, drained, on the bedside table. For a moment, Solomon stood looking down at her. A year ago, he had never even spoken to her, and yet now, she was everything. A fresh surge of fear washed over him, for she was so weak, he knew he could still lose her.

It was not the first time she had been hurt in the course of one of their investigations. She had been hit on the head, almost burned alive…but he would not think of that. Because, always, she bounced back, going blithely on with the investigation, approaching the next with excitement and the same vital curiosity that had first drawn him to her. It was something they shared.

Part of him was still screaming that it was madness to expose her to these dangers, whatever risks he took on his own account. Of course, it was Constance’s decision, not his, and she had made it clear he had no right to dictate to her, only to discuss. Theirs was a partnership.

Not now. Since they had married, he had every right to rule her. Though he could just imagine her reaction if he tried to do so. Laughter surged into his throat, catching at his breath, and turned abruptly into tears.

“Oh, Constance,” he whispered, sinking down on the bed. “Why are you so impossible, so wonderful, so necessary…”

A knock sounded at the door, and he hastily dashed his sleeve across his face. Rossi was right—he should change his clothes, though the matter seemed the least important in the world right now.

“Avanti,” he called, and Maria came in with the doctor.

Disturbed, Constance woke again and was given more to drink from Donati’s own hand. Watching him almost as closely as he watched Constance, Solomon found his hopes rose, for there was a definite spark of approval in the doctor’s eyes.

He asked her questions, listened to her heart, then sent her to the privy with Maria’s support. It broke Solomon’s heart to see her walking like an old woman.

“Is the danger past?” he asked when he and Donati were alone.

“No,” said the doctor, “but I would say it is definitely reduced. Her body is shocked and severely weakened and will take some time and care to recover. But she is a healthy young woman. And a lucky one. I would guess she ingested very little of the poison.”

“Do you have any idea what the poison was?”

Donati sighed. “I cannot be sure. It could be one of several.” Deliberately, he met Solomon’s gaze. “I reported the incident to the police.”

Solomon nodded. “I am surprised they have not called.”

“They may be suspicious of you, Signor Grey,” Donati said bluntly.

Solomon nodded. He had expected that, and it scarcely mattered.

Constance returned and answered a few more probing questions from the doctor, while he pushed the glass back into her hands and gestured to her to drink.

“No food until tomorrow,” he said at last.

Constance gave a tired smile. “That will be no hardship.

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