Page 27 of Rake in Disguise (Wicked Widows’ League #33)

Chapter Twenty-Three

There was something odd about today but Blythe could not determine exactly what and it increased as the day grew long. A heightened energy that could not be explained, almost as if the air had a change in mood.

So very strange and inexplicable.

She also knew that some of her disquiet lingered from the night before.

Orlando’s comment that she had left him had come off as more of an accusation.

Certainly, Orlando understood why she had to leave. She’d been quite clear in her explanation in the letter she had left him.

Had he a disagreement with her reasoning?

Unless, because he had purchased her, Orlando believed that he deserved more.

He certainly hadn’t expected her to remain with him, had he? When she had mentioned eventually returning to England, Orlando had offered no argument.

Oh, she wished he had not been called away last night because then she would already know why he’d been disturbed.

Blythe rubbed her temples and then her forehead. A headache had slowly been brewing all day, pressure building inside her skull. It was likely because she was worried and anxious about Orlando. She could think of no other reason and she’d never experienced the likes of this pain before.

She also knew that it needed to be gone within a few hours because they would have members arriving and even though conversations are usually quiet within each sitting section of the drawing room together, as a whole, they could grow loud.

Then there were the gambling rooms where there were cheering on occasion.

Instead of wondering if her headache would go away on its own, Blythe went in search of a maid to request something to ease her pain. She accepted the lavender oil to rub on her temples but rejected the Laudanum because she did not want to sleep the day away or not be fully alert when awake.

Hopefully after a short nap she would awaken with her head pain gone.

With those thoughts, she returned to her chamber, pulled the curtains closed so that no light came in then stripped down to her shift and crawled between the bleached linen and rested her head on the soft pillow before closing her eyes.

She willed her headache away because she needed to be at her best when Orlando arrived tonight, if he did, so that she could determine exactly what the relationship was to be.

* * *

By the time Orlando had finished setting the bone in the lad’s arm then wrapped it and provided instructions on proper care, it had grown quite late.

Too late to return to Athena’s Salon. Not that he hadn’t tried but when the hackney he hired to take him from Westbrook House arrived at Athena’s Salon, it was already dark on the ground floor.

He then looked up to the window on the first floor where he had seen the light the evening before.

And while a few candles burned, he decided that this was not the best time for a conversation with Blythe.

He knew himself well enough that if he called on her and she was already in a nightrail that his questions would be forgotten and he would do what he most desired, which was to seduce her.

Orlando pinched the bridge of his nose and set another patient file aside.

It was much of the same—illnesses that would likely not exist with proper nutrition or a cleaner environment.

He had treated more infected cuts than he cared to count.

If those injured would simply clean the injury, apply ointment and keep the injury wrapped in a soft cloth it would likely not have gotten so bad.

"We were to breakfast this morning, yet I find you here." Orlando looked up to find his brother, Benedick, standing just inside his office.

"I forgot."

"I reached that conclusion on my own. The clues were clear and since I am an investigator with the Thames River Police, the mystery was easily solved."

Orlando snorted as his brother came forward and sat in the chair in front of his desk.

"What was so important that kept you here instead of meeting me?"

"Nothing." Orlando placated his brother. "I simply forgot." He gestured to files and documents on his desk. "I find that I am always behind."

"Then hire an assistant or secretary," Benedick suggested jovially.

"I believe I just might. It is needed," Orlando answered.

“We also need someone in the apothecary to prepare poultices, creams, ointments, and powders. We need someone to greet those that come in seeking assistance and taking their name and even find out their symptoms are so that we can prepare before we determine in what order patients should be seen.” Orlando had thought about this long and hard and it was something he needed to discuss with Xavier when he came in.

“Why are you here?" he asked Benedick. “Do you not have criminals to catch along the waterfront?"

“Well, after breaking my fast alone, I thought to assure myself of your good health,” his brother answered.

“I apologize if I inconvenienced you,” Orlando answered and wondered if Benedick truly had been concerned.

"I asked him to meet me here," Dr. Xavier Sinclair answered from the doorway. “I need him to accompany me to Westbrook House to confront a most stubborn sister-in-law.”

That lady would be Lady Victoria Westbrook, twin to Xavier’s wife. As Orlando knew them both well since he frequented Westbrook House to treat illnesses and injuries, he was quite intrigued.

“Why?” Benedick asked.

“Lady Victoria has been receiving threats, but it has become more dangerous for her.”

“What happened?” Orlando asked in alarm. Nothing had been mentioned to him when he was there last night.

"She was attacked by a man who could not gain access to Westbrook House."

"I assume that man wanted his property back," Orlando said in disgust.

So many of the women who resided within had escaped husbands or employers who saw them as nothing more than property and became violent if they were displeased.

"Yes, but Lady Victoria refuses to stay at Westbrook House which has guards on duty both in front and in back, where she would be safe. Instead, she insists on returning to her home this evening."

“Why would her home not be safe?” Benedick asked.

“The man knows where she lives.”

Orlando straightened. "He got inside her house?"

"No, she was accosted on the street in front of it but that does not mean that he will not be back and try to gain entrance.”

"What do you need me to do?” Benedick asked.

“She needs a bodyguard if we cannot convince her to remain at Westbrook House until the man is caught.”

"I did not realize that was one of the services you provided. Would Mercutio not be a better choice?"

His brother was a pugilist of renowned fame and most people now were too afraid to face him.

"He is not in London,” Xavier answered. “Therefore, it must be Benedick.”

“Are you certain there is no one else?” Benedick asked. “I could ask someone I work with.”

Orlando frowned. Why would his brother reject a request to protect someone?

“I do not know any of them, I know you, and Lady Victoria needs to be protected.”

"Very well,” Benedick sighed. “But I feel that I should warn you. Lady Victoria happens to hate me.”

Orlando couldn’t imagine anybody hating his brother. "Why is that exactly?" Orlando asked.

Before Benedick could answer, a lad who sometimes sat in the front of the house to help in hopes of a warm meal came in. "Dr. Valentine, the tooth problem is here."

"I promise to tell you at a later time,” Benedick said. “Go see about the tooth.”

He would question his brother, but it likely wouldn’t be until tomorrow, because he would be seeing Blythe tonight, which was more important than wondering why Lady Victoria hated his brother.