“Yes. And I smelled opium on her breath.”
“I understand you had been administering laudanum to her for some time, along with digitalis for her dropsy, per Dr. Marsland’s orders. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“The symptoms you mentioned are all attributable to dropsy as well as the medicines she was taking. Dr. Marsland agrees, as did, I believe, his young partner, when he examined the body. Correct?”
Anne nodded.
“So unless you have concrete proof or saw someone giving her something, I see no reason to complicate this, nor to subject her ladyship to a gruesome procedure and her family to the distress of it.”
Anne swallowed an awkward lump. “I have no such proof. Nor did I see anyone give her anything.”
“There you have it. I hope that reassures you, Miss Fitzjohn.”
“It does.”
“You can, of course, insist on a postmortem at your own expense, but I don’t feel justified in charging the fee to the county.”
“I understand.”
“In that case, shall we send for the undertaker?”
Katherine flashed one more look at Anne and then Rosa, bit her lower lip, and said, “I would like to give Mamma a proper funeral as soon as may be. But tomorrow will be soon enough to start making arrangements.”
He nodded. “Very well.”
Dr. Marsland spoke up, adding kindly, “There is no hurry. Take all the time you need to say good-bye.”
“And to prepare her,” Katherine said. “We were told not to before.” She turned to Anne and Rosa. “Will you two help me? Wash and dress her into something more becoming?”
“Of course,” Anne agreed.
Rosa said, “I will be happy to help too.”
The women worked together to wash and dress Lady Celia and change the bedclothes. Anne noticed Rosa looking beneath the pillows with a frown on her pretty face, but she made no comment. Instead she tidied the woman’s hair and helped Katherine and Anne straighten and arrange her limbs.
When all was finished, the three stood solemnly gazing down at her.
“I am sorry, Miss Fitzjohn,” Anne said. “Sorry for your loss. Sorry I was not able to save her.”
“Thank you. But it was not your fault.” Katherine sent her a sidelong glance. “It wasn’t your fault, was it?”
“No. That is, I did no harm to her, though I wish I had done more good.”
Katherine nodded slowly. “You’re not alone in that. Mamma liked you, Anne. Moreover, she trusted you, so I trust you.”
“Thank you,” Anne replied. Thoughts of lobster soup, bees, and the blue vase danced on the edges of her mind, but she pushed them away. Now was not the time.
Instead she said, “She loved you, Katherine, if I may call you that. I know she did.”
Katherine exhaled a long breath. “I hope so.” She glanced at the lady’s maid. “She was fond of you too, Rosa. So much so that I admit I was quite jealous at times.”
“No need. She didn’t like me quite so much at the end, I fear.”
“Oh?”
“May I tell you another time?” Rosa said. “It’s late and we’re all tired. I will say, I am gratified to hear your mother liked me. I liked her too. It’s been a pleasure to become acquainted with you as well.” Rosa grinned. “And your lovely hair.”
