Page 48 of A Baron's Disguised Lady
Archie had never heard of cherry laurel, or laurel water, and he looked at the two men blankly.
“But… what does that mean?” he asked.
The two men exchanged nervous glances.
“It means it was poisoned, My Lord. Hydrogen cyanide—that’s the name of it. A heavy sedative, and one that produces the scent of almonds I detected on your sister’s breath. But I never thought… well, there was no question of poisoning. Not at the time. It didn’t even occur to me. I’m sorry, My Lord. I should’ve realized, but… oh, dear me…” the doctor said, his words trailing off as Archie stared at him in astonishment.
“Do you mean… her death could have been prevented?” he asked, and Doctor Airdale sighed.
“Well… any murder could be prevented if it was predicted. But yes… if I’d made the connection at the time, perhaps something could have been done to stop whoever it was from doing what they did. The poison was in small quantities, perhaps added to your sister’s food, and later to the dental powder. It’s cumulative effect was… as you know,” the doctor replied, shaking his head sadly.
Tears welled up in Archie’s eyes. He was not angry with the doctor, but hewasangry with himself. If only he had known—if only he had suspected something. Gwendolene’s death had been preventable. Someone knew something, and now he banged his fist down angrily on the desk, cursing himself for not realizing what had happened.
“She died needlessly, Doctor Airdale. Her death could’ve been prevented. I don’t blame you. There was no suspicion, but… my poor Gwendolene. How cruel! A thing she used every day, entirely unwittingly… it poisoned her,” he said, and Doctor Airdale nodded.
“We weren’t certain at first, My Lord. But the tests showed the presence of cherry laurel in the powder. Even a small dose was enough to do as it did. Your sister was the victim of a cruel and wicked ploy, but I’m afraid it only makes matters worse for you—knowing the truth. Have you any idea who could’ve done this?” the doctor asked, and Archie shook his head.
He simply did not know—there was no one, or so he thought, or so he wanted to believe…
“How could anyone do this? It’s wicked!” he cried, shaking his head as tears rolled down his cheeks.
He had wanted his suspicions to be proved false, for there to be no poison, no foul play, no suspect. But the results were clear, and as for what had happened to Gwendolene, there was now no doubt.
“But what of a motive? Can you think of any reason why anyone would want to poison her? And if so, how did they manage to do so? Only a few people had access to your sister, didn’t they?” Doctor Airdale persisted.
Archie nodded. Toward the end, only a handful of people could have been responsible. But had the powder been poisoned early on, and used day after day by his sister, unwittingly poisoning herself in the process, any number of people might have been responsible.
“She had many friends, and even more acquaintances. She was forever receiving visitors, before she was ill, that is. I suppose any of them could be responsible,” Archie said, shaking his head.
But the thought of it was too terrible for words. Not one of those who had visited his sister could be responsible. They were all so… friendly. Archie had welcomed the visitors for his sister, cheering her in her illness. But it seemed one of them, or more, had been the devil in disguise.
“I’m afraid there’s not a great deal more to be said, My Lord. Your sister’s death is confirmed as… murder. It’s my duty as her physician to inform the magistrate. There has to be an investigation, and…” Doctor Airdale began, but Archie interrupted him.
“No, I don’t want anyone else involved. Not yet. The killer thinks they’ve got away with it. If they realize there’s to be a formal investigation, they’ll be scared—they might disappear. No, I’ll continue my own investigations. It’s my duty to do so—I owe as much to my sister. Don’t you agree?” he said.
A look of uncertainty came over the doctor’s face, and he glanced at his assistant, who looked equally uncomfortable.
“My Lord, we’d be negligent in our duty…” he began, but Archie banged his fist down on the table once again, glaring at the two men, his anger roused.
“I don’t blame you, Doctor Airdale—you weren’t to know, and there was no reason to suspect. But might I call you negligentin your duty fornothaving recognized what was happening?” he replied.
He knew it was a threat, and it was not one he made lightly. But Doctor Airdale nodded.
“Yes… very well, My Lord. As you wish. Conduct your investigation. But if the matter isn’t resolved within a few weeks, I really must insist on informing the necessary authorities. Your sister deserves justice,” he said, and Archie nodded.
“She does. And I intend to ensure it,” he replied.
The doctor’s assistant handed over the results of the tests on the dental powder, and the two physicians took their leave. Archie stood on the steps of the house, watching as their horse and trap disappeared down the drive. Returning inside, he shuddered—a murderer had walked through that very door, bringing with them such hatred towards his sister as to make them want to kill her.
It was a terrible thought, and it unsettled Archie for the rest of the day, as he sat brooding in his study. He knew the truth as to what had killed his sister, but as for the motive why…
“Will you be dining tonight, My Lord?” Hargreaves asked, when later on he came to collect Archie’s correspondence.
Archie shook his head. He did not feel like dining—of making polite conversation when the truth of Gwendolene’s terrible end was now known.
“No, thank you, Hargreaves. But… would you have Lavinia… Miss Stuart, come and see me, please?” he asked.
He did not want to tell his mother the sad truth about Gwendolene, though she would have to hear it—eventually. But Archie knew he could trust Lavinia, and taking out the piece of paper with the results of the tests written on it, he waited to receive her.
