Page 32 of A Baron's Disguised Lady
“Yes, and I intend to help you find who’s responsible for it, too,” she replied, wanting someway to repay him for his kindness, and to make amends for her own previous shortcomings.
Chapter 11
Archie tossed and turned that night, unable to sleep, his mind filled with thoughts of Lavinia, of what had happened at the assembly rooms, of the promise she had made as they had said goodnight. There was no doubt in his mind as to her sincerity, and her shrewdness in realizing what was at stake—at realizing he suspected there was something more to Gwendolene’s death than met the eye was remarkable.
There was far more to Lavinia than what others said about her, and Archie could not help but be impressed by her. He had read over Doctor Airdale’s notes a dozen times, always returning to the same question—the smell of his sister’s breath, what did it mean?
“It just doesn’t make sense,”he muttered to himself, for try as he might, Archie could not think who might be responsible for his sister’s death.
He suspected no one. Gwendolene had no enemies—as far as he knew. There was no jealous lover. No spurned suitor. She was the sort of person to whom others were attracted, and he could think of no one who would want to harm her. But despite his reasoning, Archie felt certain she had been the victim of a cruel and heartless plot, snatched in the prime of her life…
But did Lavinia really mean it when she said she’d help me?he wondered.
Unable to sleep, he rose early, taking his customary walk to the churchyard and sitting for a while by Gwendolene’s grave. But today, he was not so much lost in sorrow as pondering any number of possibilities as to what had really occurred. He wanted to know, yet he feared to know, too, and when he returned to Sarum Lacy House for breakfast, his mind was filled with more questions than answers.
“Are you joining the ladies for breakfast, My Lord?” Hargreaves asked, looking surprised to see Archie returned so early from his walk.
“I am, yes. I’m rather hungry this morning,” Archie replied, and entering the dining room, he found his mother, Octavia, and Lavinia at the table. Lavinia smiled at him.
“Oh, to what do we owe this unexpected pleasure, Archie?” his mother exclaimed, as Archie helped himself to deviled kidneys from the sideboard.
“Walking builds up an appetite, mother,” he replied, sitting down at the table next to Lavinia.
His mother smiled, before returning to her conversation with Octavia.
“And do you remember Lord Ramsbottom—the one we caught swimming naked with the maid, oh…” she said, as Octavia shrieked with laughter.
Archie smiled and shook his head, glancing at Lavinia, who did the same.
“Have you been to the churchyard?” she asked, and Archie nodded.
“As always, yes. But today… well, I feel so confused. I’ve been reading the doctor’s notes. The ones you saw,” he said, and Lavinia blushed.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. But what I said last night…” she began, and Archie nodded.
“It was good of you to say so. I was… I’m grateful,” he said, pulling the notebook from his pocket.
Archie knew he had overreacted in growing angry with Lavinia for wanting to read the doctor’s notes. He had failed to realize she only wanted to help, and it embarrassed him to think of the harsh words he had spoken.
But he had got what he deserved—not the unquestioning deference of a servant, or one for whom his title was cause for submission, but the honest words of one who spoke her mind truthfully. He admired this, and he knew it meant he could trust her, just as he had hoped she could trust him, too.
“Well… if you don’t want me involved,” she said, but Archie shook his head.
Hedidwant Lavinia to be involved. He needed her, and now, he handed her the notebook, urging her to read. For a moment, she looked doubtful, as though wondering if she was doing the right thing, but Archie pushed the notebook forward, urging her to read.
“The notes on your sister—they revealed something, didn’t they?” Lavinia said, taking the notebook and opening it.
“What you saw before… read it again,” he said, and Lavinia read, her eyes narrowing as she did so.
Archie had read the notes over so many times as to feel quite overwhelmed. He knew he was missing something, even as he had thought back to every detail of the days and weeks leading up to Gwendolene’s death, desperate to remember something—anything—that might help his cause.
“The strange smell on her breath? Is that what makes you think something untoward occurred? I’ve seen the way you brood. It’s weighing so heavily on your mind, isn’t it?” Lavinia said, and Archie nodded.
He knew he would never have any peace until the matter was laid to rest—until he knew the truth about his sister’s death.
“I keep thinking back to those days, but I can’t think of anyone… oh, but there was one strange occurrence,” he said, and Lavinia looked at him curiously.
“Go on,” she said, glancing across the table to where Octavia and Archie’s mother were still laughing with one another over reminiscences.
