Page 114 of A Whisper at Midnight

The cook dabbed a wet cloth on Hadrian’s newly exposed wound. Pain shot up through his shoulder. “I don’t suppose there’s any brandy or other liquor about?”

“There’s some in the dining room,” Mrs. Styles-Rowdon’s housekeeper replied.

“I’ll fetch it,” Mrs. Blank offered, hurrying from the room.

“Breathe,” Tilda whispered, her gaze meeting his. “Does it hurt terribly?”

“Not much worse than my head,” he said with a smile that was meant only for her. He held her gaze until her cheeks turnedpink, and she returned her attention to Teague. “Shall I join you upstairs?” he asked the inspector.

Teague waved his hand. “No need. Though I require your description of what happened. Mrs. Styles-Rowdon will also be charged with shooting Ravenhurst.”

“And attacking Beryl,” Hadrian noted. “Mrs. Styles-Rowdon threw her against a dresser, and Beryl was knocked unconscious.”

“She’s going to hang, isn’t she?” Beryl winced as Mrs. Styles-Rowdon’s housekeeper cleaned her scalp.

“I would think so,” Teague said.

“Good, she deserves to,” Beryl said, her jaw tightening.

Mrs. Blank returned with a bottle of brandy and a pair of glasses. She gave one of each to Hadrian and Beryl. Hadrian swallowed half the contents.

Teague went upstairs, and Leach arrived with the doctor. Satisfied that Hadrian was in good hands, Leach returned to the coach.

Hadrian insisted the doctor see to Beryl first. He prescribed rest and asked Clara to keep a close eye on Beryl for the next few days.

“I may need to travel soon,” Beryl said wearily.

“Not for at least three days,” the doctor instructed before moving to care for Hadrian.

Tilda continued to sit beside Hadrian as the physician inspected and cleaned his wound. He then closed the flesh with several stitches.

Hadrian had finished his glass of brandy whilst the doctor tended to Beryl, then drank another at Tilda’s insistence. The effects of the liquor dulled the prick of the needle moving through his arm.

The physician said he would call on Hadrian in a few days to review his healing progress and would remove the stitches at a later date—at least a week from now.

As he was packing up his bag to go, Hadrian asked Tilda to help him put on his coat. He would not be able to get his arm in the sleeve at the moment, but he could drape it over his bare arm instead of leaving it exposed.

Teague had returned whilst Hadrian was being stitched and now recorded their testimony, including Beryl’s, of what had occurred.

“May I return home now, Inspector?” Beryl asked.

“Yes. I will be in touch regarding what happens next with Mrs. Styles-Rowdon.”

Clara looked from Beryl to Teague. “What if Mrs. Chambers has left London?”

Teague’s brows pitched together as he regarded Beryl. “Where are you planning to travel?”

“I wrote to my parents this morning. I asked if I could return home to Rutland. They may say no, in which case I’ve no idea where I will be. I can’t afford to stay in my current home.”

Mrs. Blank looked expectantly at Beryl. “Didn’t Mr. Chambers say he would set an appointment with the solicitor as soon as possible to discuss your financial matters?”

“He did.” She glanced toward Hadrian. “Oliver has promised to help me sort things and determine what is left for me to rely upon.” Her expression was utterly morose.

“I’m sorry things have turned out this way, Beryl. I’m confident Oliver can help you.”

“I’d thought to ask Gillian if I could stay with her for a while, as I will not be able to continue to lease the house next door.Thatis no longer an option obviously.”

Hadrian could see she was quite upset. “I’m sure things will look better after a good night’s sleep,” he said optimistically. “Ihave faith in your parents.” He’d liked them, particularly her father, when they’d spoken about the betrothal.