“Would you like me to do it?” Fletcher asked quietly.
“Thank you, but no. I’d prefer to be there to see her reaction to our inquiries.” Henry couldn’t wait much longer, not when people’s lives might be at risk. “I think within a day or two, I could make the trip.”
But his father shook his head. “Rattling about on a train, no matter how short the journey, sounds like a poor idea.”
“The interview can’t wait much longer,” Henry murmured.
“Mr. Dunn’s nephew came by yesterday to ask for an update on the case,” Fletcher added reluctantly. “Insisted on it. I told him you’d been injured but were expected to return soon.”
“All the more reason to get on with the investigation.” Henry looked at his father. “One of Amelia’s friends happens to be a current patient. Needless to say, she’s quite concerned about her.”
His father frowned. “Why not just visit her to ensure her safety?”
“Visitors aren’t allowed, they supposedly interfere with the patient’s ability to focus on their health.” Henry could not keep the disdain from his voice. “We were able to exchange only a brief written message with her, though she said all was well.”
“So you thought, until a claim of foul play arose.” Henry’s father nodded. “Where there’s rumors, there’s often cause.”
“Exactly,” Henry agreed. “And with Arthur Taylor also concerned…we want to gather as much preliminary information as possible prior to interviewing Dr. Thorne and her staff.”
“Have you spoken to any other former patients?” his father asked, eyes narrowed, clearly on the case.
Yes.“One other relation. The man died while at Hollowgate Heights, but his son didn’t think it unexpected as he’d been ill for some time.” Relief filled Henry as he remembered those details, even if retrieving them from the recesses of his brain made his head hurt. But hopefully additional memories would soon return.
“Should I advise Dr. Thorne and her staff that we will be coming by?” Fletcher asked.
“No need to alert them.” Henry appreciated his father’s nod of silent agreement. “I don’t want them to have time to prepare, be on guard. Give me one more day and I’ll be ready for the trip to Enfield. It isn’t that far.” He held tight to the thought, certain he’d feel better by then. He couldn’t stay in his childhood bedchamber any longer than that.
Until then, he’d do all he could to regain his strength and convince his body it was healing just fine. Doing so would reassure not only himself and his parents, but also Amelia—before she decided loving him wasn’t worth the risk.
Fifteen
“Areyoucertainthisis wise?” Aunt Margaret asked as the coach halted before Hollowgate Heights that afternoon. She’d fretted the entire train ride, and nothing Amelia had said seemed to reassure her.
Not the most auspicious beginning.
“I don’t know, but Louisa could be in danger.” Amelia loved her aunt, but her patience was running short, worry for Henry shortening her temper. “If you’d prefer to wait in the coach, please do so.”
Her aunt had been agreeable to Amelia’s plan last evening when they’d discussed it, but was clearly having second thoughts—understandable since she hadn’t been involved in investigations before. While there might be an element of danger in this outing, it was surely minimal. Amelia had thought it through carefully, had considered everything.
“The worst that could happen is they ask us to leave in an uncouth manner.” Amelia lifted a brow at her aunt, hand on the coach door. “If that is too much for you to bear—”
“All right.” Aunt Margaret’s lips tightened with determination as she scooted across the seat toward the door. “I will do it.It won’t be the first time I’ve been asked to leave an establishment.”
“Oh?” Amelia’s curiosity was caught. “Please do share that story on the return journey.” She couldn’t quite imagine her polite aunt breaking any rules that might result in such an outcome.
“It is quite an amusing tale now that several years have passed, though at the time I admit myself irritated and embarrassed.” Aunt Margaret stepped out of the coach and considered the building before them. “Do you truly believe your plan will work?”
Amelia sighed as she followed her aunt’s gaze. “Well, it’s the best one I could think of.” She turned to her aunt, still wondering how committed she was to the scheme. “If you’d prefer to be the one to have a look around while I pretend to have cancer and be considering a stay at the sanatorium, I would be happy to change roles.”
Her aunt swallowed hard. “No. I think it best if you look for anything of interest, including Louisa. You’re far more adept at thinking on your feet.”
“Thank you.” Amelia took the compliment to heart, hoping it was true.
How she wished Henry were with her. Though he continued to insist he was improving, she worried his recovery was slow—certainly slower than either of them would like. While he definitely wouldn’t approve of her venturing to the sanatorium, there was a chance she or her aunt might discover something helpful. Being able to hand him a lead of any sort would bea boon. He’d eventually appreciate that…though she worried how long it might take him to agree.
Aunt Margaret pressed a hand to her stomach, looking rather pale. “I confess my nerves are threatening to get the best of me.”
“May I suggest you use them to immerse yourself in the role of a person recently diagnosed with a frightening disease? And remember, there’s no harm in being asked to leave. In fact, we should consider that our goal.” Amelia nodded, warming up to the idea. “Ask as many questions as possible. I’m especially interested in Dr. Thorne’s background and where she obtained her medical training. And why is hydropathy one of the preferred treatments?”
