Page 76 of The Curious Story of the Missing Lady
“M’Lady,” he said weakly. “How can I help you?”
“I ... hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No, not at all.” He turned to Molloy. “Dismissed.”
“Yes, sir,” said Molloy, who staggered out of the room as if struck.
“I-I’m not sure what I just witnessed.”
“It seems,” said Foster, “that some employees take a slightly different view than the rest of us when their employers are taken ill. I, for one, have His Lordship’s health as my sole
concern. My days here out shall begin and end with that concern. And I would not ... for even a moment ...” Here he shut his eyes and composed himself, for he was once again working up into a lather. He continued through clenched teeth, “I would not for even a moment consider His Lordship’s health as a detriment to my own prospects.”
“Foster,” said Madeline, “I don’t understand.”
“It seems Mr Molloy is more worried about his state of employment while His Lordship is taken ill than anything else.”
“Heavens,” said Madeline. “He said as much?”
“He said enough. ‘What will I do now? Am I to work ever again?’ Gah! The insolence!”
He looked down, noticed his hands balled into fists, and then quickly unrolled them.
“Terribly sorry, M’Lady.”
“It’s alright, Foster. I can’t believe Molloy would do such a thing.”
“Oh, he’s been something of a bad seed in this house ever since our fath—that is, ever since His Lordship took him on four months ago. Believe me, I have counted every second.”
“Papa seems to appreciate his services.”
“His Lordship is too generous for his own good at times if I may be so bold, M’Lady.”
“Yes, well, now that that’s settled, Dr. Brightman would like to have a word with you.”
Foster straightened himself. “I expected he might. You’ll excuse me?”
“Not at all. I’m going with you. We all have to look after one another now, dear Foster.”
#
“There you are, Foster,” said Doctor Brightman. “Come, we must give this man some rest. Let us go where we can talk freely.”
“I’m going to remain by his side,” said Mama.
“Right this way, sir,” said Foster. “I believe the library will provide the right atmosphere, for it is where the incident occurred.”
They made their way to the library, and Madeline followed close behind.
“Would you care for a drink?”
“No, thank you, man. I’m afraid it tends to wreak havoc on my stomach. I’ll have you know, Foster, that I personally do not consider you under any suspicion. I believe His Lordship to have had a heart attack. But any further information you could share would be most helpful in sharpening my diagnosis.”
“Of course, sir,” said Foster, showing no relief at the physician’s exoneration of him.
The library glowed with early morning sunlight.The maids had not yet begun to prepare the room for the day.There was an eerie air about it, like a room in which a person has recently passed away. Madeline found she did not want to stay in here for any longer than necessary.
“It was here that I left His Lordship and Mr Herrick, sir,” said Foster, upright and stoic.
