“Whatever for?”
“To poison his aunt.”
She stared at him. “I discerned from Mr. Knightley’s earlier manner that he harbored doubt towards Frank in the matter of his uncle’s death. But in the aunt’s as well?”
“Mr. Perry has determined that Edgar Churchill most likely died of belladonna poisoning. Agnes Churchill died of a suspicious seizure within a month of Frank’s allegedly chance meeting with the gypsies.” Darcy explained how old Mrs. Churchill’s death had enabled Frank’s marriage to Jane, and how the uncle’s death now secured Frank’s independence.
“Good heavens,” she said when he finished. “That is quite the cold-blooded scheme, if these suspicions about Frank Churchill prove accurate. I wonder, however, that Mr. Knightley shared them with you, a near-stranger. He impressed me as a more discreet gentleman, particularly regarding a matter yet under investigation.”
Darcy cleared his throat. “The investigation is the reason he took me into his confidence. Frank Churchill’s status within the village, coupled with Mr. Knightley’s admitted bias against him, render it necessary to have a more objective individual probe the affair. Upon Lord Chatfield’s recommendation, Mr. Knightley solicited my assistance.” He paused. “And upon Chatfield’s request, I agreed.”
At the mention of the earl, Darcy’s willingness to involve himself became more understandable. Elizabeth could not, however, help feeling her spirits sink at the realization that Darcy’s participation in a murder enquiry would necessitate an extension of their unplanned stop in Highbury. She wanted to reach Brierwood. And she missed her daughter. “Should we send for Lily-Anne?”
“It is my hope that we will not be here overlong. Mr. Perry has gone to London to consult a colleague more knowledgeable about belladonna, and travels home by way of Richmond to learn more about Agnes Churchill’s seizure from her physician. We also await information from the Churchills’ solicitor. If all goes well, this matter should be resolved within days. If you wish, however, I can take you to the townhouse and return here. Your continuance in Highbury is not required merely because I am committed.”
“Indeed? So you do not want to hear what I know of the gypsy herbalist?”
That commanded his attention. “How came you by information regarding the herbalist?”
“From Mrs. Martin. She said one of the gypsies who accosted her was an older woman — a ‘witch-woman,’ Mrs. Martin called her — gathering plants. I would wager that she is your healer.”
“Did she appear to know Frank Churchill?”
“She appeared startled by his appearance and fled with the rest of them, so whether she knew him or not is a subject for further speculation. I suppose it certainly would have been surprising to be chased off in such a manner by a gentleman to whom one just sold poison, if that was Frank Churchill’s true purpose for being there. Do you and Mr. Knightley believe, then, that Frank obtained from this same gypsy the belladonna that killed his uncle?”
“Directly or indirectly. He possibly acquired it through Mr. Deal.”
“Surely the peddler would not trade poison so openly?”
“The poison could be passed off as one of the remedies he sells. Or belladonna could be a component of some of the physics, added intentionally or in error. Mr. Perry says that in small amounts it has legitimate medicinal value, and that the berries are sometimes mistaken for edible ones. I suspect, however, that if this gypsy herbalist incorporated deadly nightshade into one of her concoctions, she knew precisely what she was doing.”
“If she were accidentally poisoning people, Mr. Knightley would have heard by now of other customers who had suffered ill effects.”
“Even so, I purchased Mr. Deal’s remaining gypsy remedies, ostensibly for personal use, but I have given them to Mr. Knightley so that the apothecary can have a look at them.”
“What do they purport to cure?”
“Gout, dropsy, and—” He coughed. “Female complaints.”
She regarded him archly. “What sort of female complaints?”
“I hoped you would know, for I have not the faintest notion.”
Elizabeth found it both amusing and charming that, after nearly two years of marriage and the birth of their child, such a subject could discompose him. “So now Mr. Deal believes I suffer from a peculiarly feminine malady. I thank you for that — it should make my next encounter with him all the more delightful. Is there anything else I ought to know about the reputation I am forming in Highbury?”
“No.” He paused. “Well…”
She raised a brow.
“Should Mr. Churchill enquire, you were all but debilitated by a headache today.”
“Indeed? It seems I am on the verge of becoming a professional invalid. Are the gout and dropsy my ailments as well?”
“No, only the headache and the… other.”
“Thank heavens. I would not want my deteriorating state to burden anybody. Incidentally, I understand that Mrs. Knightley’s father suffers ill health, and that the Knightleys reside with him when not hosting lethal routs. As we returned this afternoon, Mrs. Knightley expressed a wish for us all to quit Donwell for Hartfield, as she is needed there. Her sister and family, who have been staying with Mr. Woodhouse, must go home to London tomorrow, and now that all the other guests save Thomas Dixon have departed, there is no reason for us remaining few to continue at Donwell.”
“When is the removal to occur?”
“On the morrow, as early as is reasonable. From the sound of it, you and Mr. Knightley intend to spend the day capturing criminals, and therefore will scarcely notice the transition.”
“Will you?”
“Not as much as our servants.” She opened the armoire, where her maid and his valet had just hung all the clothes from their trunks, which would have to be repacked. “Now, you had better dress for dinner, or we shall be late.”
“The Knightleys keep country hours, then?”
“Yes, and I am glad of it, for after the events of last night and today, I would like to retire earlier tonight.”
Darcy raised a roguish brow. “How early?”
She smiled and moved towards him, holding his gaze all the while. When she reached him, she placed a hand on his chest, which he covered with his own as she stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear.
“I am afraid tonight is inconvenient, dear. .. Apparently, I have a headache.”
“I do not look upon myself as either prosperous or indulged. I am thwarted in every thing material.”
The room Mr. Knightley had made into his study at Hartfield was smaller than that of Donwell, but reflected the character of its new resident nonetheless. Oak-paneled walls, paintings of country scenes, and burgundy draperies tied back with braided gold cords surrounded sturdy yet graceful mahogany furniture. Two Sheraton armchairs encouraged conversation over tobacco or the Madeira wine that stood ready on a side table between the east windows. A third chair — the one which saw the most use — waited behind the inlaid satinwood writing table; a matching glass-fronted library case dominated the north wall and held the magistrate’s most oft-referenced books. It was a gentleman’s room, suited to the serious purpose that occupied the three gentlemen gathered there.
Mr. Perry called directly after he returned from London. Though his mission had required little more than four-and-twenty hours to complete, it had yielded intelligence of significance. Barely had he taken a seat in the armchair opposite Darcy than he commenced his report. “My colleague confirms my suspicions,” he said. “Edgar Churchill almost certainly died of belladonna poisoning.”
