“You can wait just outside,” ordered Sir Amery, staring at Trick. “Your mistress will call when she’s ready.”
Adalyn was trapped. There was little she could do to countermand that order, but she made the best of it. “I will be less than half an hour, I believe, since my ankle will begin to pain me if I remain any longer.” She managed a little wince as she shifted in the chair. “So stay near, if you would? The door will be open, will it not, Sir Amery?”
He frowned. But politeness dictated he had no other recourse but to agree. “Of course. Of course. You may summon your man at any time, my Lady. But I trust you have time for tea first?”
He turned to Judith. “Pour, girl,” he snapped.
Silence fell for a few moments, as Judith did as she was bid, bringing a cup to Adalyn. “Here you are, my Lady. If you wish more sugar or milk, please let me know?”
Adalyn sipped. “Mmm. Perfect, Judith. Thank you. A lovely end to a delightful evening.”
“I trust it will only be the first of many, Lady Adalyn,” said Sir Amery, with that oily smile she was coming to dislike. “I would love to show you the house when your injury has healed. There are more than a few interesting tales woven into its history.”
“I’m sure there must be,” she agreed.
He opened his mouth to expound further, but then stopped, and made an odd coughing sound. His cup and saucer fell, smashing on the hearth, and bringing both Judith and Adalyn to their feet.
“Uncle Amery…” Judith rushed to his side. “What is it? Are you unwell?”
He clutched at his throat and wheezed, struggling for breath, turning redder and redder.
“My Lord,” exclaimed Adalyn, realising that he was in considerable distress. “Trick,” she turned and shouted through the open door. “Call for Sir Amery’s valet. Get the butler to summon a doctor.Quickly.”
He staggered to the chair opposite hers, still clutching his cravat, fighting for each and every breath. His eyes were reddening and staring wide at her as flecks of foamy spittle appeared around his mouth.
Finding his breath, Sir Amery screamed…a terrible sound that echoed throughout the house.
Suddenly the room filled with his servants, his valet pushing through the throng to his master’s side. “Sir. Sir Amery…what is it? What can I…”
His voice faded away and he moved back.
As he did so, silence fell, and Adalyn saw him drop the hand of his master, who leaned awkwardly against the wing of the chair.
His eyes stared blankly at nothing in particular.
Judith screamed. “He’s dead. Oh noooo…” and fainted.
She hit the carpet with a thud, but since everyone was so stunned by this development they were paying no attention.
Adalyn winced, but was too far away to help. She had no idea what to do—the butler had arrived and he and the valet were now whispering to each other in distress. A maid was crying and one of the footmen looked like he was about to be very ill.
“Trick,” she said beneath her breath. And he was there. “We must leave, I think.”
“Immediately, my Lady. There is nought we can do here.” He picked her up just as the butler turned for the door.
Adalyn caught his eye. “We are going to leave, Wandsworth. I am devastated by this terrible event, but there is nothing I can do to help at this time, and we'd only be in the way. Please…” she touched his sleeve. “If there is anything, any way at all in which we at Wolfbridge can help, will you send a message?”
“Thank you my Lady.” The man was white and shaking a little. “Thank you for the offer. I…we…I don’t know…”
“Of course not. Do what needs to be done. Please give my deepest condolences to Miss Judith.”
“I will. Thank you again…” He hurried off, quite forgetting to fetch Adalyn's outer garments.
Trick put her down for a few moments. “I’ll retrieve your things, my Lady. If you would wait here…”
She nodded, keeping well away from the hubbub that was developing around the door to the parlour. Maids were now starting to scurry back and forth, two others helped a sobbing Judith up the stairs, and for the moment chaos reigned in the imposing hall.
“I have to bring the gig around,” muttered Trick, helping Adalyn into her cloak.
