She paused only briefly before leaning forward, appeared to gulp down a breath as she picked up the teapot.Stiff movements got the job done.When she finished, she set one palm to her cheek, her eyes closed as though she needed a moment in which to collect herself.
An odd thing to witness.Peter was accustomed to her being strong and fierce.
“Are you certain you’re well?”Croft asked her, his voice gentler than Peter had ever heard it.
“Perhaps not.”She attempted a smile but it failed to reach her eyes.“I’m terribly sorry but I fear I might have caught an affliction.If you’ll please excuse me.”
She hurried from the room as though the air in it were suffocating her.The door swung shut as she departed.
“I hope it’s not influenza,” Miss Hastings said.“But if it is, I know an excellent remedy for it.You need only send me a note, Mr.Croft, and I’ll see that your cook receives the recipe.”
“Thank you, Miss Hastings.I appreciate the offer.”He flung one arm across the back of the sofa and turned to Melroy.“Well, sir?Kendrick’s a busy man.He has places to be, as do I.The sooner you get on with your account, the better.”
Melroy sipped his tea, then drank a bit more before relaying his suspicions and findings to Peter.
21
It had to be something she’d eaten.Perhaps the pie she’d purchased last week when she’d visited the seamstress.The flavor had not been the best, leading her to suspect it wasn’t as fresh as it should have been.But she’d been hungry and now it seemed she was paying the price.
A queasy sensation had since overtaken her more than once.But every time she believed she might cast up her accounts, the feeling vanished.Fresh air seemed to help though it was a temporary solution.
The bedchamber door opened and Adrian entered.“Are you feeling any better?”
“A little.Lying down helps.”
He nudged the door shut and padded to the bed, then lowered himself to the edge of it and took her hand.“You should have told me you were unwell.I can’t believe Miss Hastings made the observation in my stead.Makes me feel damn awful.”
“It shouldn’t.Honestly, I thought I was better until I had a biscuit during our meeting with Kendrick.Breakfast was fine but that biscuit…” Her stomach turned over at the reminder and she forced back a groan.
“Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?”Adrian asked.“Would you like something to drink?”
She shook her head.“I just want to lie here and not move.”
“Do you wish to see a physician?”
“Not right now.”When Adrian opened his mouth as though to argue she said, “You needn’t worry.I’ll be fine.Rest will help.”
“Are you certain?”She nodded and he squeezed her hand before pressing a kiss to her knuckles.“Kendrick has taken Melroy back to Bow Street.He intends to keep him there while he searches St.George’s.
“So Kendrick believes Melroy might be involved in the killings?”
“I’m not sure.He may simply be trying to avoid making the kind of mistake that can’t be undone later.”
“Holding an innocent man won’t be without consequence either.”
“It’s better than the alternative, which is why we brought him here instead of letting him walk away last night.”
“If he’s a liar, he’s a skilled one.”Additional talks with Melroy had led Samantha to the conclusion that he had no part in any kind of malpractice.
“So were Clive Newton and Benjamin Lawrence.Let’s not forget that.”When she didn’t respond Adrian told her, “I plan to speak with Murdoch, Fellowes, and Simmons today.See if they can provide additional insight.”
“I’d offer to join you but I think I’d prefer to stay here if that’s all right.”
“Of course it is.”He smiled, the warmth in his gaze assuring her of his love.A quick kiss to her brow offered further proof before he departed, leaving her to her rest.
* * *
Gabriella Hastings stared straight ahead while she travelled the stretch of road that would take her, Kendrick, and Jackson back to Bow Street together with Mr.Melroy.She’d always considered herself to be good-natured, understanding, and forgiving.Accepting of her fellow man.Yet she could not find anything likable about Mr.Croft at the moment.Indeed, she despised him.
