Medium Dead: An Alexandra Gladstone Mystery

by Paula Paul

  “I’m coming with you now,” Snow said.

  Nicholas turned around to glare at Snow. “Indeed,” he said in a voice full of cold anger.

  “I shall meet you in the front of the building,” Snow said as he moved toward the back exit and the stable where his horse was kept ready to ride.

  Nicholas didn’t respond. He opened the door for Alexandra and led her toward the carriage.

  “I know you don’t relish going through this with Lady Forsythe,” Alexandra said as he helped her into the carriage. “I don’t blame you. It will upset her and likely make her ailment worse.”

  “But you will be there to help me calm her,” Nicholas said.

  “I regret that I can’t do that,” Alexandra replied. “I’ve been away from the surgery too long. I can’t possibly expect Nancy to continue to do everything on her own.”

  Nicholas waited until he had gone around to step into his side of the carriage to reply. Alexandra could see how worry had made his face look drawn as he took his seat beside her. “Nancy is quite capable, it seems to me,” he said.

  “For most things, yes. But it’s my duty to be there, as I’m sure you can see.”

  Nicholas said nothing. He sat staring down the narrow street, lined with ancient buildings that, over the years, had begun to lean forward like courtly giants bowing to one another. Finally, Snow appeared rounding the corner, mounted on his horse.

  “Lead the way, my lord,” Snow said.

  “We’ll be stopping at Dr. Gladstone’s surgery,” Nicholas said. “She must see that things are running smoothly there before she leaves her nurse alone any longer.”

  Snow’s mouth twitched slightly, and his face looked as if it was about to crumple with anger, but he quickly controlled it. “Very well,” he said. He had no other choice, since he wouldn’t be able to gain entrance to Montmarsh without Nicholas.

  “Thank you for agreeing to take me to my surgery,” Alexandra said once they were on their way, with Constable Snow following closely behind.

  “Of course,” Nicholas said. “Once you’ve spoken with Nancy and seen that everything is being handled properly, we’ll be on our way.”

  “But—”

  “Please, Alexandra. I can’t possibly handle my mother without you. Can’t you imagine what this is likely to do to her?”

  “I suspect Lady Forsythe is stronger than you think. You’ll both be able to handle everything quite well, I’m sure.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Nicholas said. “MaMa has never handled anything difficult well.”

  “Perhaps that’s only because she was never given the opportunity.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Nicholas asked, with a sideways glance in her direction.

  “She knows that if she pretends to be weak, you’ll give her what she wants.”

  “You’re saying she’s like a spoiled child?” Nicholas said with a dry laugh. “Well, I have to agree. She has her ways.”

  “Must you always give in to her, then?”

  Nicholas chuckled. “She has me well trained.”

  —

  When they arrived at Alexandra’s house, Nicholas helped her down from the carriage and walked her to the surgery entrance.

  “I’d ask you in,” Alexandra said as she opened the surgery door, “but there’d be no point. I can’t be a hostess now. I have to be a doctor. Hello, Nancy,” she added, when she saw her sitting in the surgery, winding bandages.

  “Of course I don’t expect you to be a hostess,” said Nicholas. “I’ll wait. In the carriage, if you prefer.”

  “Wait?”

  “I’m not going without you, my dear.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Alexandra said. “Constable Snow expects you—”

  “Constable Snow won’t leave without me, will he?” Nicholas said, with a mischievous smile.

  “Constable Snow?” Nancy said. “Here?” She stood and went to the window. “Why is he out there?”

  “He’s waiting for me,” Nicholas said before Alexandra could answer. “He wants me to take him to see Lady Forsythe.”

  “Oh?” Nancy made that one word so expressive that there was no doubt about the level of her curiosity.

  “He wants to question her.”

  “Oh, my,” Nancy said, her eyes growing large.

  “It seems he thinks he saw her scratching around in the dirt in the graveyard.”

  “Oh, my!” Nancy said again. This time her hand went to her mouth.

  “Nicholas, do you really think you should—” Alexandra was interrupted by Nicholas.

  “You can understand what a ridiculous notion her scratching in the dirt is,” Nicholas said.

  “Of course it’s ridiculous,” Nancy said, regaining some of her composure. “Why would Lady Forsythe be in the graveyard?”

  “Precisely,” Nicholas said.

  “Nancy, you won’t breathe a word of this to anyone, will you?” Alexandra said, finally managing to nudge her way into the conversation.

  Nancy took on a hurt expression. “Of course not! I’m no common gossip.” She turned back to Nicholas. “He’s not claiming Her Ladyship was near the grave where Alvina’s body was found, is he?”

  “I’m afraid he is,” Nicholas said.

  “We believe it’s only speculation on his part at this point,” Alexandra said.

  “Of course it is! What else could it be?” Nancy seemed as nonplussed by the accusation as Nicholas was. She turned to Alexandra again. “You must go with him, Miss Alex. Such an accusation is bound to make Her Ladyship worse. She could even have an apoplexy.”

  “I doubt that’s likely,” Alexandra said. “Nicholas is quite capable of—”

  “No, you must go,” Nancy interrupted. “It’s very quiet here. I’ve only had one patient so far. Molly Thomas brought her daughter in for you-know-what.”

  “Menstrual cramps again?” Alexandra asked.

  Nancy blushed and glanced uneasily at Nicholas.

  “It’s all right, Nancy. I’m certain Lord Forsythe knows about such things,” Alexandra said.

  “Indeed,” Nicholas said. Alexandra saw that he was blushing as well. “But…but I also know about my mother,” he sputtered, “and Nancy is right. It would be best if you came along with me.”

  “Go on, now, Miss Alex. I can take care of things here.” Nancy was all but pushing her toward the door.

  Alexandra started to protest, but in the end, she allowed Nicholas to take her arm and lead her out to the carriage. “Send for me if you need me,” she called over her shoulder to Nancy. She had the distinct feeling that she had just been ambushed. Nancy would expect a full report when she returned.

  Nancy gave her a reassuring wave, then called a good afternoon out to Constable Snow. He responded with the slightest of nods without changing the taciturn expression of his face.

  —

  Entry to Montmarsh was gained this time with no more than an uneasy glance at the constable on the part of Lancaster, the butler. He gave Alexandra an equally suspicious look. In return, Constable Snow scrutinized the butler as if he were a suspect.

  “I’m pleased to see you’re back on duty, Lancaster.” Nicholas’s tone bordered on sarcastic.

  The butler replied, sounding defensive. “Thank you, sir. I’m sure you understand that my attention has been required elsewhere.”

  “So I’m told.” The hint of sarcasm was still in Nicholas’s voice.

  “A great deal of attention, if I may say so,” Lancaster added, “not to mention my duties to your mother.”

  “Very well.” Nicholas gave him a dismissive wave of his hand. “Will you please tell Her Ladyship that I have two visitors with me who must see her?”

  The butler bowed. “Yes, my lord.” Just as he started to move away, Nicholas called to him again, causing him to turn around.

  “Lancaster, I said she must see these people. Make sure she understands that it is urgent.”

  Lancaster bowed again and h
urried away. They quickly followed in his wake.

  When they reached her bedroom, Lancaster knocked, and Lady Forsythe answered with an irritated “Who’s there?”

  “My lady,” the butler called through the door, “here to see you are Lord Dunsford, Dr. Gladstone, and Constable Snow.”

  “I am ill, Lancaster. I told you I will see no one.”

  Lancaster turned to the group and gave them a self-satisfied look.

  “I’m afraid I must insist,” Snow said.

  “Insist as you wish, Constable. Her Ladyship has said she will not see you.” Lancaster curled his lip with a smirk as he spoke.

  “I am an officer of the law,” Snow began. He was promptly interrupted by Nicholas, who pushed his way to the door and opened it.

  “My lady, I’m afraid you have no choice but to see the constable.” Nicholas’s voice was authoritative as he strode into the room.

  Lady Forsythe lay in her bed looking unwell with a flushed face and a sheen of perspiration on her brow. Madam Cudney sat in a chair next to the bed.

  “Nicky, I’m ill! I will see no one. Lancaster, get them all out of here.”

  “Thank you, Lancaster,” Nicholas said and nodded toward the door.

  Lancaster appeared puzzled and uncomfortable for a moment before he nodded, bowed slightly, and left the room.

  Snow gave Madam Cudney a glaring look. “I have agreed to allow Lord Dunsford and Dr. Gladstone to stay. However, we limit the number to these two,” he said.

  “Madam Cudney will most definitely stay with me,” Lady Forsythe said.

  There was a moment of chagrined hesitation on Snow’s part before he said, “As you wish.”

  “I hope you won’t be long,” Madam Cudney said. “Her Ladyship truly is ill, and she tires easily.”

  Snow ignored her and looked directly at Lady Forsythe. “I must question you about your excursion to the graveyard last night, my lady.”

  Lady Forsythe’s body jerked beneath the coverlet, and her face grew pale. She gasped but didn’t speak. Madam Cudney placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

  “Why were you there? And who accompanied you?” Snow asked.

  “I…I don’t know what you’re…Why are you asking me about a graveyard? What graveyard?”

  Snow was unmoved by her theatrics. “The very grave where Alvina Elwold’s body was found with her throat slit.”

  Lady Forsythe’s eyes grew wide and glassy just as her face became a shade paler.

  Alexandra took a step toward her, genuinely worried by her stricken demeanor. At the same time, Madam Cudney glared at Snow. “This is uncalled for,” she said. “Can’t you see how you’re upsetting her?”

  “She has yet to answer my question,” he said.

  “And she shan’t,” Madam Cudney said. “I shall answer for her. I was with her last night. I did not leave her side, and you have no right to accuse her of such obscene things. I suggest you leave now. She is not in a proper state to speak to anyone.”

  “I will leave when she answers—”

  “I’m afraid Madam Cudney is right. Her Ladyship is in no condition to be questioned,” Alexandra said. She was holding Lady Forsythe’s limp arm while she took her pulse with one hand and felt her forehead with the other. Her pulse was racing.

  Nicholas took a step toward them. “Is she—”

  “I suggest you all leave for now,” Alexandra said. She was rummaging in her bag for spirits of ammonia and of lavender. “You, too, Constable.” She spoke with authority, and both men hesitated only slightly before they started to leave. “Nicholas, I’ll send word to you as soon as possible. Madam Cudney, fetch me a basin and a pitcher of cold water and some brandy.” Alexandra gave the lady a sniff of the ammonia and threw the covers back all the way to the foot of the bed to reveal Lady Forsythe trussed in a dressing gown with an elaborate sash. Alexandra saw that the tight-fitting sash had aggravated the lesions and made them more painful. She loosened the lady’s clothing and massaged her arms and legs to encourage blood flow.

  When Madam Cudney returned with the water, Lady Forsythe swallowed some of it with the spirits of lavender.

  “Is she going to be all right?” Madam Cudney’s voice and hands were both shaking as she handed Alexandra the basin and the pitcher of water. Lancaster followed behind her with the brandy.

  “Yes,” Alexandra said. “But we must keep her quiet and make sure she wears loose clothing. Two teaspoons of brandy,” she said, turning to Lancaster.

  Lady Forsythe gave a heavy sigh, indicating to Alexandra that she was coming out of the syncope.

  “How dare the constable accuse her of such things!” Madam Cudney said.

  “How could he have known?” Lady Forsythe mumbled. “How…?”

  “My lady!” Madam Cudney said, alarmed. “Do you suppose she’s so ill as to be out of her mind?”

  “She’s disturbed, of course, but it’s not likely to be permanent,” Alexandra said. “I suggest you don’t speak of it for a while.” She wanted to ask Lady Forsythe what she meant by her question, but her best medical judgment not to disturb the patient prevailed.

  “Of course not,” Madam Cudney agreed.

  “Is he gone?” Lady Forsythe’s voice was now genuinely weak. “That man, I mean. That dreadful Constable Rain.”

  “Yes, yes, my dear. Constable Snow is gone.” Madam Cudney spoke in a soothing voice, as if she was speaking to a child, while she held Lady Forsythe’s hand.

  Alexandra gave Madam Cudney and Lancaster instructions for Lady Forsythe’s care, stressing once again that she should wear only loose clothing, and left the room, telling them to send for her if she was needed. She gave Lady Forsythe the assurance that she would stop by Montmarsh to see her in the morning.

  “Is she all right?” Nicholas asked as soon as he saw Alexandra step into the hallway. Constable Snow was nowhere in sight, but a crowd of servants had gathered at the end of the hall with anxious and worried expressions on their faces.

  “Yes, she will be quite all right, but she must be kept quiet.” She spoke loud enough for the servants to hear. “I think it will be good for you to see her now,” she added quietly to Nicholas, “but she need see no one else. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

  Nicholas gave her shoulder a grateful squeeze and spoke to the servants. “You can all go back to work now. Lady Forsythe will be all right, thanks to Dr. Gladstone.”

  When the servants had dispersed, Alexandra descended the stairs. Mrs. Pickwick was waiting for her at the bottom. Alexandra could see tears in her eyes.

  “Is Her Ladyship really going to be all right?” she asked.

  “Yes, of course.” Alexandra tried to reassure her with a smile.

  “Oh, dear, I hope so, I do hope so. ’Tis all my fault.” Mrs. Pickwick’s tears had turned to sobs.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Alexandra said. “How could it be your—”

  “I shouldn’t have let her go with that…I should have gone with her, as she asked me…” She stopped speaking suddenly and placed her hand over her mouth. At the same time, Alexandra saw her troubled expression.

  “Should have gone with her where?” she asked.

  Mrs. Pickwick looked frightened, but all she could do was shake her head and turn away, hurrying toward the kitchen.

  Chapter 6

  When Mrs. Pickwick was gone, Alexandra, feeling disconcerted, waited in the hall until Nicholas joined her and escorted her out the door. Constable Snow was standing beside his horse when Alexandra and Nicholas emerged. As Nicholas led her to the waiting carriage, Snow called to her, walking toward her. “May I have a moment, Dr. Gladstone?” he asked.

  Alexandra glanced at Nicholas. He responded with a slight shrug and an outstretched arm, directing her to the constable.

  “I must ask you if Lady Forsythe is seriously ill,” Snow said when Alexandra was in front of him.

  “She is not on her deathbed, if that’s what you mean, but as I told you earlier, I cannot
divulge—”

  Snow interrupted her. “I’m not asking for details, Dr. Gladstone. I must know, however, if that sudden attack she had was feigned to avoid talking to me.”

  “I have no reason to believe she wasn’t truly in distress.” Alexandra did her best to sound calm, but Pickwick’s words had certainly unnerved her. “You must know, however, that an accusation like the one she faced would upset anyone, and Her Ladyship’s health being what it is, I’m not surprised that she was becoming ill.”

  Snow pressed harder. “Did she reveal anything to you about her whereabouts last night?”

  “No.”

  “Would you tell me if she did?”

  Alexandra was silent for no more than an extra second while she weighed whether or not to tell Snow what both Her Ladyship and Mrs. Pickwick had implied. “Of course,” she said, feeling her hands grow clammy. “Especially if it involved a possible murder.”

  “I am absolutely certain I saw Lady Forsythe at the gravesite where Alvina’s body was found. I don’t want to have to arrest her. It would save everyone a great deal of embarrassment if she would admit the truth and give me a plausible reason for her being there. If there is one. Please remember, Dr. Gladstone, if you know anything about this, you are bound by law to tell me.”

  “Certainly.” Alexandra’s heart pounded, and she hoped he wouldn’t notice how much trouble she was having looking at him.

  “Rest assured, I will get to the bottom of this,” he added.

  “Without a doubt.” She was grateful when the constable turned toward his horse and pulled himself up into the saddle. He gave her a slight nod and touched his hat before he rode away.

  “What was that all about?” Nicholas asked when she walked back to the carriage.

  “The constable is convinced he saw Lady Forsythe in the graveyard, and he’s equally convinced I know something about it. I can only guess that he called me away to speak to me because he thought I wouldn’t be forthcoming in your presence.”

  “Is that true?” Nicholas asked as he helped her into the carriage.