The Countess Intrigue (16 page)

“I have quite decided that I don’t like you very much, Doctor,” Elizabeth declared. “I do hope the earl takes a decidedly long time to pay your bill.”

The doctor threw back his head and laughed. “Well, I like you, my lady, which is why I want you to heal quickly. Now behave yourself for one more day and you will most likely be rewarded for it.”

“Just one more thing, Doctor, before you go. Could I ask you a rather indelicate question?”

“Of course, my lady, I am at your service.”

Elizabeth hesitated, catching Pansy’s wide-eyed glance. Her maid obviously had guessed what she wished to ask the doctor and was undecided how she felt about it. Elizabeth plunged on, hungering for concrete information.

“Did you attend the sickbed for the previous countess? Would you be able to tell me how she died?”

“I did treat Lady Barbara, my lady. Might I ask why you are asking?”

Elizabeth could see that the doctor was studying her with a level of chagrin as though he was uncomfortable talking about it but willing to be of assistance.

“All I have to do is lie in this bed and think all day,” Elizabeth began. “It has lead me to be a trifle concerned for my future. Is it merely a terrible coincidence that two countesses in a row have run into tragic difficulty? If the shooter had better aim I wouldn’t be here to talk about it.” Hearing her own words frightened Elizabeth and she could hear the tremble in her voice.

The doctor heard it too and was quick to point out, “Lady Barbara wasn’t shot, my lady. She jumped from the roof and broke her back. It took her a few days to die; but she never regained consciousness to be able to tell us what had happened or what made her do it.”

“Was it ever suspected that she had been pushed? There were some rather nasty rumours swirling around London.”

The doctor didn’t at first answer her question directly, much to Elizabeth’s frustration. “Are you concerned about your safety, my lady?” he asked.

“Of course I’m concerned about my safety,” Elizabeth exclaimed. “I have been shot at and no one knows by whom. My husband’s first wife died prematurely and no one will tell me the circumstances surrounding that tragedy. It is not a situation that instills confidence, sir.”

“No, no, of course not, my lady,” he began, trying to soothe her. “Please don’t allow yourself to get worked up. It will not be good for your recovery.”

Elizabeth interrupted him, feeling very inclined to toss a pillow at him. She enunciated clearly, “Doctor, I am not getting worked up. I am merely asking you for some information. To the best of your knowledge, did anyone investigate how the lady ended up on the roof? Was she known to have been depressed? Did it seem to be within the possibility of her character that she would intentionally jump to her death?”

The doctor was again silent for a moment while he regarded her seriously. “I didn’t know Lady Barbara very well myself, but I did not think she seemed depressed. You are right, there was talk around the village. But I truly do not think you are in danger from your husband. He seems to be genuinely concerned about your recovery and puzzled about your attack.” He paused in thought once more. “I’m sorry, my lady, I do not have anything more informative to tell you.”

Elizabeth settled back into her pillows. She had been leaning forward eagerly, wanting to hear clearly every word the doctor had to tell her. “Thank you Doctor. I appreciate your candour.” She wasn’t terribly surprised by his words so she left it at that. The man hadn’t really been all that helpful although finding out the nature of Lady Barbara’s death was good to know despite how gruesome it must have been.

The doctor stood to leave but then looked back at her with shrewd eyes. “My lady, I cannot blame you for being cautious. And while I do not actually think your husband had anything to do neither with his first wife’s death nor for the attack on you, I can completely understand why you might question it. If you find you are afraid for your safety and in need of help, please come to me. I will do my best to assist you in any way I can. I know being here in your husband’s home and in his village it could feel as though you are alone. I will stand your friend if you need me.”

Elizabeth felt tears of gratitude well into her eyes. The man was clearly perceptive. That was exactly how it felt, as though everyone here belonged to Sinclair. Since she couldn’t be absolutely certain of his guilt or innocence that meant she could trust no one. Of course, she still didn’t know if she could trust the doctor so it was really a moot point. She was left with only her own wits and Pansy’s help. She braced herself with a brave smile. She nodded to the doctor as he took his leave.

Turning to Pansy after the door closed behind the doctor, Elizabeth kept her smile firmly in place. “Well, it’s back to just you and me. And I’m stuck in this room for at least one more day. I will allow it because I am nervous to venture forth until I know who to trust. But we need to finish this book because I am determined to leave this room tomorrow with or without the doctor’s permission.”

They settled in to read the rest of Lady Barbara’s diary. As they progressed they could see that the countess was becoming afraid of Jason and his reaction to her lack of results in attempting to influence the earl.

“
Y
ou really must allow
me to see my wife, Pansy. If you do not remove yourself from the doorway, I shall be forced to move you myself. I know you think you are protecting your mistress, but I think I am in a better position to do that than you are.”

Elizabeth had dozed off and struggled to conscious wakefulness when she heard the commotion at the door. She called out to her maid. “Pansy, I think it’s all right. You can let him in.”

Pansy stood back, allowed the earl to enter, and then quickly shut the door behind him before hurrying over to stand watchfully at her mistress’ side. Elizabeth was gratified to see her husband’s calm acceptance of the maid’s protective stance.

“Good afternoon, my dear lady,” the earl began with a beguiling smile while his eyes seemed to devour her with their intensity. “You look well.”

Elizabeth tried to sit up and winced as her arm pinched at her. The earl quickly assisted her. “Your deceit is appreciated, my lord,” she replied with a smile.

“I am not lying to you, my dear. The last time I saw you, you looked truly awful. I was really afraid for you, which is why I have barged in here like this. I couldn’t stand the suspense any longer and had to know for myself that you were on the mend as the doctor had promised. How are you, really, from your own perspective?”

“Heartily sick of being in this room,” she began, “but vastly improved. The doctor told me that possibly he might allow me to leave the room tomorrow, but I have decided that whatever he says, I am getting up and dressing on the morrow. I shall go quite mad if I must remain confined for one more day.”

“Do you think that is wise, my dear? One clear advantage to your remaining in your room is that you are sure to be kept safe.”

“I refuse to be such a coward that I must hide in my bedchamber for the rest of my life. I understand that there is a very real threat against me, although I do not know why, but I refuse to allow it to win. I will not be kept a prisoner.” She tried not to glare at him but wasn’t sure if she had completely managed to quell her ire.

“Of course not, my dear lady. No one spoke of keeping you a prisoner. But what do you know about a threat against you?” His concerned gaze had sharpened to alert watchfulness.

Elizabeth’s gaze darted to Pansy. She had her hand wrapped around the washbasin. It wasn’t the best weapon but Elizabeth was relieved to feel somewhat protected should the earl turn out to be a threat. She bemoaned once more her weak position confined in the bed. She had thought to tell him everything but in that moment she changed her mind. Even though the countess was clearly afraid of Broderick and it was obvious that bounder bore a burden of guilt in the situation, Elizabeth had not yet proven that the earl was not involved in his wife’s death. And therefore she could not be certain that he was not somehow involved in the attack on her. She diverted his suspicion with a smile.

“I know nothing about it because I am stuck in this room. All I know is that I was shot at by someone riding a brown horse. The most nondescript description ever stated on this earth I am sure. But I trust you are investigating the situation, are you not, my lord? Have you found out anything that can be of use? Perhaps we could discuss it. I strongly doubt an attack on me stems from anything to do with my history, but it surely wouldn’t hurt to share ideas.”

She could feel his gaze soften as he considered her words. “Considering how very involved with this that you are, I can see how you would consider it only fair that I at least keep you informed.”

“That is exactly right, my lord.” Elizabeth could feel her smile of approval stretching her face as she beamed at him. He returned her smile before settling himself gingerly on the edge of her bed.

“I hope I don’t jar your arm by sitting with you.”

Elizabeth felt a flush cover her from head to toe. She hoped it wasn’t a fever coming on. She rather suspected it might be the handsome earl’s presence in her room with her only dressed in her nightgown. She appreciated that he was very careful not to touch her for fear of hurting her wound, but she felt so very aware of him, a fact that caused a degree of despair.
He smells good,
she thought rather wildly as she breathed deeply and noticed the combination of leather, lemon, and pine. She puzzled over the differing scents.
He must have gone riding after bathing and then sat on some freshly polished furniture,
she guessed before dragging her attention back to his statement. Not wanting him to realize how distracting she found him, she was quick to dismiss his concern.

“Oh, I am not so very fragile as that, my lord. Do not allow the doctor’s concerns to trouble you overly. I think he is just unused to gunshot wounds and thinks confinement is the only way to treat them.”

“Actually, you would be surprised at just how many gunshot wounds a country doctor has to treat. There are any number of fools who accidentally shoot themselves or someone else either with poor aim while hunting or even while trying to clean their gun while in their cups.”

Elizabeth couldn’t help laughing despite the gravity of his words. His tone clearly conveyed his own dry humour on the subject. “So you can see that the wise doctor actually has more than enough experience to tell you that you ought to remain abed.”

“Perhaps, my lord, but I must warn you that I shan’t listen to him if he stipulates any more days of bed rest.”

“Very well,” the earl accepted her words with a nod and a smile before sobering and launching into a description of his investigation thus far. “Unfortunately I am not making very rapid progress in my investigation. While several people have confirmed hearing the gunshot and a couple of the farmers saw someone riding a brown horse right around the time you were shot, no one got a good look at him so that has turned into a bit of a dead end. Now I have my steward and head groom going about the district questioning everyone about their whereabouts on the day in question.”

“Oh dear. That might cause some consternation amongst the neighbours,” Elizabeth worried.

“I really do not give a fig for how uncomfortable they make anyone. My wife was shot, and I mean to find out who did it and why.”

Elizabeth thought about his words, gratified that he was taking the matter so seriously. “I am relieved that you do not think it was somehow an accident.”

“How could it possibly be construed an accident?”

Elizabeth shrugged. “You mentioned that the doctor stitched up many a gunshot wound from accidental discharges.”

“That was not meant to imply that your injury was anything other than a deliberate attack.” Seeing her shiver, the earl quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, my dear, I do not mean to frighten you, but it is obvious that you were shot with at least some level of intent. From what we can tell the gunman wasn’t terribly far from you. The road was wide at that point and it was a cold, clear day. There was no way you could have been mistaken for anything other than a woman driving a gig. And the shooter was on the road with you, so it is not as though the shot went wide from the woods.”

Elizabeth merely nodded. This was exactly what had happened so there was no need to hash it out further. A brief silence fell between them and Elizabeth was undecided if it was comfortable or not. She thought for a moment and then broke it. “My lord,” she was a little hesitant to broach this particular subject. “Which lady in the vicinity was the highest on the social ladder before you took a wife?”

The earl looked surprised by the question and somewhat uncertain how to answer. “It would depend on how large an area you wish to include in your description of the vicinity, my dear lady. Lady Worthe is a viscountess and Lady Meade is a baroness. I do know that they vie for leadership of the social life in these parts. There are a couple other viscountcies farther afield.”

“So you are the only earl around?” Elizabeth prodded. “And no dukes anywhere to be found?”

Her husband laughed at her words but scrunched his forehead in question. “Why are you asking?”

She didn’t immediately answer his question, instead asked another one of her own. “I met Lady Meade the other day, but have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Lady Worthe. What can you tell me about her?”

Lord Sinclair laughed rather helplessly. “I don’t really know what to tell you. She’s about the same age as me, I think, somewhere in her thirties probably. They have several children. I think their oldest son is off at Eton. She is a trifle shrill but she seems nice enough.”

“Was she friendly with your first wife?” Elizabeth was watching him closely for his reaction to her question. He looked uncomfortable but that could have been reluctance to discuss his first wife with his second.

“Barbara wasn’t terribly friendly with other ladies. She had a tendency to view life as a competition and she considered herself the winner because she caught herself an earl. Such an attitude did not lend itself to forming close attachments with others.”

Elizabeth laughed at his marked understatement. She felt the blush enflame her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, my lord, I do not mean any disrespect to your wife, it is just that your description was so droll.”

“Do not trouble yourself, my dear, I did not take offense. I am glad you have retained your ability to laugh despite the trying circumstances you have found yourself in.” He gave her a grin to demonstrate he meant his words. “Now tell me, what has led you to this line of questions?”

Elizabeth turned her attention to the blanket she was reflexively folding and unfolding with her nervous fingers. Her eyes flickered to Pansy who was still standing guard. Bolstering her courage Elizabeth blurted out her concerns. “I was wondering if it might be possible that another lady in the area might be responsible for the death of your first wife and for the attack on me.” Seeing his incredulous stare she hastened to explain. “I know it sounds ridiculous, my lord, but no one has been able to come up with any other ideas. Is it possible that Lady Worthe or Lady Meade felt that a countess in the neighbourhood would make them somehow less important in the neighbours’ eyes?”

“I can see what you’re saying, my lady, and it is entirely possible that either or both of them laboured under such feelings. But I have a very hard time imagining that either of them would then take their feelings and put them into the action of actually ending another woman’s life over their petty concerns.”

“I have met Lady Meade and at least with regard to her I have to agree with you completely. She is a charming lady who did not seem to bear any ill will toward anyone despite the friendly rivalry she seemed to have going on with Lady Worthe. But what about Lady Worthe? Is it possible she takes these matters far more seriously? As a viscountess she would be the one with her nose most out of joint for having a countess take up residence.”

The earl regarded her steadily, taking her words seriously much to Elizabeth’s delight. She could once again feel the attractive draw of the handsome man before her. “I can see what you’re saying, and I hate to speak ill of the dead, but in all reality of the three ladies in question, the only one that I can see being capable of actions such as you suspect would be Barbara, and she is most definitely not the one who attacked you so I do not think this is the right direction we need to take.”

She sighed. “I fear you are correct, my lord, but since it had occurred to me, I didn’t want to leave any possibility unpursued. I really do fear for my future safety.” Elizabeth tried not to dwell on it too heavily but the fact remained that the earl’s first wife was dead and someone had attacked her. It did not bode well for her if they did not get to the bottom of it.

“This is my fault, my lady. I never should have remarried. I should have known there was a possibility something like this would happen. Perhaps, as soon as you are well enough to travel, I should escort you to your parents’ estate. I believe it is your association with me that puts you in danger.”

Elizabeth didn’t bother trying to be polite on the subject. “You are no doubt correct, my lord, but I do not see how being cooped up together in a carriage will keep me safe. I fear that we would not make it to my father’s estate. No, the best course of action is to figure this thing out. And then you can escort me to my parents’ for a visit.” She concluded this with a smile, hoping not to antagonize the man. It must have worked because he returned her smile with one of his own that was tinged with gratitude. Elizabeth was more and more convinced that he really was innocent of the attack on her, but when her eyes flickered once more to Pansy she caught her swift shake of the head. With a sigh she realized it was time to dismiss the earl.

“Thank you for coming to visit with me, my lord, it has certainly helped to pass this dull afternoon, but now I fear it is time for me to take another nap. For all that I disagree with the doctor, he was certainly correct in his assessment that I would be tired for several days.” Elizabeth was relieved when the earl accepted her words with good grace. She wasn’t even stretching the truth, she could feel her eyelids getting heavier and heavier as each moment passed.

Elizabeth watched curiously, but with a level of detachment caused by her exhaustion, as the earl stood from her bed taking great care not to jostle her then remained there gazing at her. She snuggled down under her covers vaguely puzzled over the way he continued to stare at her. It almost looked as though he cared for her. Elizabeth felt hope well in her heart at the thought but resolved to dwell on it at a later time when she wasn’t on the verge of losing consciousness. After one more scorching glance, the earl bent down, dropped a chaste kiss on her forehead and strode from the room with a nod to the maid. Pansy locked the door behind him making Elizabeth smile as she drifted off to sleep.

Elizabeth awoke only long enough to have another light meal. In between spoonfuls of the warm soup, she and Pansy discussed all that they knew about the previous countess’ death. Unfortunately, it wasn’t much, and Elizabeth became even more determined to leave her bedchamber the next day. She could find out nothing more while confined to bed.