‘I am the baby’s father, sweetheart. That is how it will be your brother or sister.’
‘I see,’ she answered, though it was clear that she did not really. ‘When will he be coming?’
‘In February,’ John answered, ‘though we cannot be certain that it is a boy.’
‘I think it is,’ she answered, and gave John a smile which had such traces of his late wife in it that it tore at his heart.
Rose got to the ground. ‘I shall go and prepare a painting for him.’
‘How very thoughtful of you,’ Sir Gabriel answered.
‘He will be delighted with that,’ John added, but when she had left the room he turned to his father, ‘Why did you have to tell her that, Papa?’
‘What precisely?’
‘That Elizabeth is going to have a baby.’
‘My dear child, should Rose see the lady — at Christmas-time or whatever — she will notice at once. One cannot keep such things from young and bright minds like that with which my grandchild has been blessed.’
John grinned. ‘You’re right, of course. And perhaps we will all keep Christmas in Devon, including you, Sir.’
Sir Gabriel looked pleased. ‘I am delighted that at last I shall have the chance of meeting the woman who has had so profound an effect on you. And I shall also have the opportunity of visiting my old friend Sir Clovelly Lovell. Thank you for including me.’
John nodded, hoping madly that Elizabeth would agree to them descending on her at the festive season. Then he changed the subject.
‘I haven’t told you this before but there was trouble on the journey down.’
‘Of what nature?’
‘A murder,’ John answered succinctly, and proceeded to relate to his father the whole story, including his recent visit to Lewes, his sighting of the amazing Vinehurst Place and the spellbinding effect it had had upon him, and finally his seeing the two women — whom he had not realized were even connected to one another — walking through the fog together.
Sir Gabriel sat in silence for a moment, then said, ‘Perhaps they formed a friendship through the coach journey and arranged to see each other again.’
‘I suppose it is possible but it is also highly unlikely.’
‘Why?’
‘Because Miss Lovell was working at Lady Sidmouth’s making hats and headdresses for the ball which she is about to give. And Mrs Silverwood was at her daughter’s helping with the birth of her first grandchild.’
‘So not much chance to communicate, eh?’
‘None at all I would say.’
‘Then I agree with you. It’s damnable odd. Are you going to see John Fielding about it?’
‘Yes, I shall go tomorrow. And on the following day I must leave once more. I promised Elizabeth that I would return in time for Lady Sidmouth’s rout.’
‘Why don’t you take Rose with you?’
‘I would like to but I feel it would be wrong of me without seeking the Marchesa’s permission first.’
‘A good reply. Now, my son, let us stretch our legs a little before the hour to dine. Where shall we walk to?’
‘To Shug Lane, if it is not too great a step for you, Sir.’
‘My dear child, I shall go there with ease. And, of course, the assistance of my cane.’
In his absence and now that Nicholas Dawkins, his former apprentice, had married and gone to live in the delightful village of Chelsea, John had appointed a retired apothecary to come and run his shop for him. And as John entered the premises in Shug Lane the other man came from the compounding room, a slight frown upon his face. His name was Jeremiah de Prycke and as soon as he saw who it was he changed his expression to one of a somewhat forced grin. That is his facial muscles contorted leaving his eyes unsmiling, a pale china blue and slightly bolting. He wore a long black gown and a hat, even though the day was warm, and he bowed low on seeing John.
‘Mr Rawlings. How are you? I was not expecting you back quite so soon.’
‘I am very well, thank you Mr de Prycke. And how has young Gideon been behaving himself?’
Behind Jeremiah’s back John’s apprentice could be seen pulling the most terrible faces and making an obscene gesture.
‘Oh, well enough,’ Jeremiah answered in a voice that suggested that Gideon had conducted himself appallingly.
Sir Gabriel said drily, ‘What excellent news. I am delighted to hear it.’
Jeremiah who, most unfortunately, had far more hair upon his chin than on his head, waggled his straggly white beard.
‘Oh well, taking into consideration his youth, you know.’
‘Mr Rawlings,’ protested Gideon, ‘I am eighteen years old. And I have been out adminstering all the clysters which Mr de Prycke considers not his province. I truly can say that I have behaved to the best of my ability.’
Jeremiah turned on him pettishly. ‘Did I not say so, you silly boy.’
John intervened. ‘Have you been called out a good deal, Mr de Prycke?’
‘Quite a lot, yes. Mostly by people with imaginary ailments. Time wasters all.’
‘Really? You do surprise me. The majority of patients I tend are genuinely in need.’
Sir Gabriel sat down in a chair that Gideon brought for him. ‘I can honestly declare, John, that it is a pleasure to be in your shop again. It has such a calming atmosphere. Would you not agree, Mr de Prycke?’
‘To be honest with you, Sir, I prefer the country. There are far too many people in London for my liking. As you know, I live quietly in Islington. But even that is not far enough away for me.’
‘You should go to an island in the Atlantic ocean,’ Gideon muttered to himself.
‘What was that?’
‘I said London is noisy and full of commotion.’
Mr de Prycke looked annoyed and his hat slipped sideways slightly revealing a few straggles of wispy white hair and a completely bald pate. He turned to John.
‘Are you back permanently, Sir? Are my days with you finished?’
‘No, I’m afraid not. I must return to Devon and will probably be away another two weeks…’
Behind Jeremiah’s back Gideon mimed hanging himself.
‘… so if it is no trouble I would ask you to continue covering for me.’
‘I shall enquire of my landlady whether she can continue to rent me a room. It is far too far to travel in from Islington every day, you see.’
‘I do hope that I am not causing you any trouble.’
Mr de Prycke looked winsome, or at least made an effort to do so by drawing his mouth in tightly and forcing a roguish expression into his eyes.
‘Not at all, Sir. Not at all.’
When the Apothecary considered how much he was paying him, he did not feel quite so guilty. In fact he did not feel guilty in the least when he studied the expression on Gideon’s face. He addressed himself to his apprentice.
‘I would like you to take as many calls as you can, Gideon. It will be excellent practice for you. Do you not agree, Mr de Prycke?’
‘Well, there are certain commissions…’
‘Certain, yes. But I want the boy to get as much experience as possible. Besides it will get him out from under your feet.’
‘There will be some advantages admittedly.’
‘Then I am sure you will pursue them,’ said John vigorously. He motioned to Sir Gabriel. ‘Are you ready to return home, Sir?’
‘I am, my son.’ The old man made a slight bow in Mr de Prycke’s direction and was rewarded with a salutation that set Jeremiah’s gown billowing like a sail.
‘So delighted to meet you, Sir Gabriel.’
