“But murder,” Cecilia said softly, opening her eyes wide, hoping to draw the woman out more.
Mrs. Tiptree nodded. Then her brow furrowed. “But the location and manner of death was quite similar to an earlier death at Camden House.”
“An earlier death?” Cecilia parroted.
“Yes, indeed. It happened ten months ago, and that death was judged a suicide. I do not know what the difference between the two deaths might be. They were both found face down in the canal rushes near the northeast corner of the house. Why one is considered murder and the other suicide, I don’t know.” She shook her head, then stopped and shook her finger in Lady Cecilia’s direction. “They are being quiet up at the big house, that is for sure. And the magistrate made a surprisingly quick arrest. Too quick, to my mind,” she said flatly.
Cecilia coughed and nodded vaguely. “Do you know the man arrested?”
Mrs. Tiptree compressed her lips as she shook her head. “Some peer, I heard. Seems strange. Never came here before, as far as I’ve heard, and up and murders Mr. Montgomery.”
“Did you ever meet this Mr. Montgomery?”
“No, no. Those of us in the village rarely see the patients. But I felt like I knew him Emily—I mean Mrs. Worcham—talked about him a lot, how sad it was that his affliction kept him in a sanatorium. She’s a very caring, tender-hearted soul.”
“I see. Thank you. I should be returning to The New Bell Inn now. My husband will likely be returning from his errand and wondering where we are! Thank you for introducing me to Mrs. Worcham. Meeting her has alleviated many of my concerns,” she admitted. “I’m sorry that we will not likely meet again, that there is no mixing between the sanatorium and the village.”
“I’m delighted, my dear, that I’ve had the chance to meet you, too. You will enjoy it at Camden House.”
Cecilia reached across the space between them and patted Mrs. Tiptree’s arm. “Thank you, again.” Cecilia rose from the chair and turned. “—Sarah?” Cecilia said.
“Right here, my lady.”
“Excellent. Good day to you,” Cecilia said to Mrs. Tiptree, bestowing a warm smile in her direction as she turned to leave the store.
James arrived backat The New Bell Inn scarcely fifteen minutes after Cecilia and Sarah returned. Cecilia took to her bed, letting Mrs. Price know she was tired after her excursion and requested a light nuncheon. She sent Sarah to find out how the two ill people were doing, so James caught her quite alone.
Without the need for playacting, Cecilia jumped out of bed and hurdled herself into James’s arms.
He laughed as he caught her. He nuzzled the side of her neck. “So, what have you been up to today, my love,” he asked as he set her back into the circle of his arms.
Her exuberance caused another cough to grip her. She cleared her throat afterward. “Sarah and I walked to the Linen Draper’s today. It wasn’t far, and I believe supported Dr. Nowlton’s suggestion to walk and get outside.”
“Yes, if it truly isn’t far, it would,” he said doubtfully, after hearing her cough again. He stroked her back.
“It isn’t. And it is the hub of local female society. It was quite crowded. Guess who I fortuitously met there!” she said, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“I’m not even going to guess,” he said as he held her still. “You have a habit of meeting the correct people.”
She laughed; James thought it sounded like the tinkling of bells.
“Mrs. Worcham!” she said.
“The good doctor’s wife?” James asked, his eyebrows rising. Once again, she had managed to surprise him.
“Yes! I told her my circumstance—the story as we agreed upon—and she thought Camden House would be the perfect place for me to continue my recuperation,” she said impishly.
James laughed. “I do not know how you do it. You are my most resourceful wife.”
“I am your only wife so be careful what you say,” she said with mock severity.
James laughed more and hugged her to him. “But, in all seriousness, have you heard anything of Mr. Stackpoole?”
“Yes, he is not better and even had a setback of symptoms again today. And another person has exhibited the same signs of illness!”
“Who?”
“A maid here. Her name is Susan Divers. She told Sarah she didn’t feel well this morning; but thought it just the matter of a sore throat, then it seemed to consume her entire body and she went on to exhibit the same loss of bowel control and stomach contents. Nasty. Miss Hammond is tending to her and Mr. Stackpoole.”
