A Newlywed's Guide to Fortune and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Author:Dianne Freeman [Freeman, Dianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2023-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

“Lady Winstead,” I said. “You look . . . well.” I struggled to keep the surprise from my voice but had only slight success.

The older woman narrowed her eyes, the soft wrinkles surrounding them folding in on themselves. “Lady Harleigh, is it? Thank you for bringing Lady Rose to see me. Tell me, is my niece ready for her presentation?”

I took a steadying breath so I wouldn’t babble an unintelligible response. There was still a bit of slow drawling to her speech. Her expression was not as animated as I recalled from the past. And she was in bed, so who knew how steady she’d be on her feet. Despite all that, she still looked significantly better than I’d seen her over the past few days.

“Kate is not quite ready yet, but the queen’s drawing room is almost two weeks off. I’m sure we will both be prepared in time.”

“Very good. With any luck, I won’t be locked up by then.”

“Heavens, would anyone consider such a move?”

“There have been whispers among the Ashleys,” Kate said, “but it will go no further if I have anything to say about it.” She stood next to me, the bottle of laudanum in her hand.

“That won’t help matters,” I told her, glancing from the bottle to the patient. “Lady Winstead, do you actually need this medication? Are you in pain?”

Kate stepped closer, refusing to cede any ground. “I’ve done some research on this and learned it could be harmful to stop the laudanum all at once. I read it might be too much of a shock to her body and that it was best to wean her off slowly. Nurse Plum’s notes read a teaspoon a day.”

I gave her a look of disbelief, and she pulled a small book from her pocket and handed it to me. Heavens, the nurse had kept a record of her patient’s care. It noted everything—when Lady Winstead took her meals, got out of bed, visited the garden for fresh air, and had her one teaspoon of laudanum per day. From what I’d witnessed of Lady Winstead, it was hard to believe she stopped at one.

I leafed through the pages, looking for evidence of a crime. Finding nothing incriminating, I handed the book back to Kate and returned my attention to Lady Winstead. “Are you in any pain?” I repeated.

“It helps me to sleep,” she said, sounding aggrieved.

“Then perhaps it would be best to hold that until the evening,” I said, eyeing the bottle. “Otherwise, she may require more later.”

“That makes sense.” Kate moved to return the bottle to the bedside table.

“Is there somewhere it could be locked up?” I asked. “Or at least put out of sight? I’d hate for someone else to come in and give Lady Winstead additional medication she doesn’t need.” I widened my eyes, and Kate took the hint.

“I’ll find somewhere else to keep it,” she said, and taking the bottle, she headed for the dressing room.

“Nurse Plum is the only one to handle the laudanum.

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