Now that all had gathered, Dr. Marsland looked around the room. “Where is Colonel Paine?”
“I don’t know,” Katherine replied. “Jude?”
Mr. Dalby shrugged. “Haven’t seen him all day. Yesterday either, come to think of it.”
“Nor I. That’s odd.”
Dr. Marsland summarized the situation for the newcomers. “Sadly, Lady Celia has died. A pity, but not wholly unexpected. After a cursory examination, I would say the most likely explanation is that she died of heart failure. Miss Loveday initially suspected another overdose. She is no doubt sensitive after the mishap with the digitalis and perhaps jumped to that conclusion. Forgive me for saying so, Miss Loveday.”
Dr. Finch spoke up. “Surely that’s a question for a coroner’s jury. An autopsy might prove it one way or another.”
“Or it might not,” Dr. Marsland said evenly. “You know they are often inconclusive. And not often required, in cases where natural causes seem most likely.”
“Well, if an overdose was involved,” Mr. Dalby said, “I still say Miss Loveday is responsible.”
“Why?” Anne challenged. “I am not the only person with access to opium or digitalis.”
“Are you looking at me?” Dr. Marsland’s dark brows rose in astonishment. “Of course as a physician I have access to both, as has Dr. Finch, and the local druggist. But I hardly think—”
Anne went on, “Not to mention many household medicine chests and gardens. Why, even Miss Fitzjohn grows poppies and foxgloves.”
Dr. Marsland frowned again. “Surely you don’t suggest that Miss Katherine—”
“Calm down, Dr. Marsland,” Miss Fitzjohn implored. “You too, Jude. Miss Loveday had no reason to want to harm Mamma.”
“Well...” Dr. Marsland began. He and Dr. Finch shared uncomfortable looks, and then the older doctor turned to Anne, apology in his tone. “You did tell us you were not sure you could take proper care of Lady Celia because you resented her.”
“Resented her?” Katherine asked. “Why would she?”
“Yes, Iusedto resent her for my sister’s sake,” Anne said. “But I would never hurt her. Or anyone.”
“What has Mamma to do with your sister?” Katherine asked, confusion puckering her tear-stained face.
Anne huffed a sigh. “Mr. Dalby told my sister, Fanny, he wanted to marry her but his aunt had threatened to disinherit him if he did so. I recently asked Lady Celia, and she denied knowing anything about it, so I had no reason to resent her any longer.”
Katherine barked an incredulous laugh and turned to her cousin, lip curled. “Is that what you told her? Yourauntiemade you break it off?” She looked back at Anne. “I am sorry, Miss Loveday, but Jude does what Jude wants. If he broke things off with your sister, he did so because that’s what he wanted to do. Probably because she wasn’t rich enough.”
“How perceptive, Kat,” Mr. Dalby dryly replied.
Anne noticed Dr. Finch glance at Rosa in concern.
Dr. Marsland cleared his throat. “Now, back to the matter at hand, if you will. Please remember Miss Fitzjohn has just suffered a terrible loss. Let us treat Lady Celia’s passing withthe solemn respect it deserves. Miss Loveday, perhaps you might repeat your concerns now that Dr. Finch has joined us.”
Anne swallowed and drew a shaky breath. “Her pupils were small and her breathing and pulse rapid before slowing and ceasing.”
“I am not surprised,” Dr. Marsland said. “Remember, she has been taking both digitalis and laudanum for some time. There’s bound to be a residual effect. And as far as her pulse and breathing? Definitely attributable to her dropsy. Do you not agree, Dr. Finch?”
“I ... em, yes. Though I did not see what Miss Loveday witnessed.”
“And I smelled opium and spices on her breath,” Anne said.
Dr. Marsland nodded. “Again, we must take into account that she regularly consumed laudanum. Smelling it in her room and on her person is not the least surprising. And you said it yourself. No laudanum is missing. The amount in the bottle is what you have so diligently recordedshouldbe there. Is that not what you told us?”
“Well ... yes.”
“So you may wish to rethink your claims of an overdose,” Jude said, “especially as you are the most likely person to have given it to her.”
“But I didn’t!”
