“I came in shortly thereafter. Wilhemina was ordering him to eat.”
“I know. It took me a moment before I put all the pieces together. He was crying and she was scolding him, the baby was wailing, and I was thinking that something wasn’t right. That’s when you came in, and we started making him spit out what was left in his mouth. Would that I had something to make him vomit.”
“So Wilhemina was in the nursery before you, as was the food. And she demanded Johnny eat it.”
“Yes.” Lucy looked at him. “That looks bad for her, I know. I just can’t believe Wilhemina would...” She shook her head. “I suppose I can’t believe it of anyone.”
“Who else was there? The nursery maid was cleaning the spill when I returned with the water.”
“Ada, yes. She came in as soon as I asked you to fetch the water. I didn’t want her to clean up the spill because I wanted to examine the porridge for poison, but she was too quick. And I didn’t want to voice my fears.”
“Which was why you asked me to take the bowl and cup with me.”
“I didn’t want what little was left to end up in the washing sink.”
“So we have two suspects—Ada and Wilhemina.”
Lucy considered. “I don’t think we can rule out a footman or one of the other servants. We don’t know who brought the tray of porridge.”
“That’s what we need to find out.” He squinted. “Is that the doctor?”
Lucy leapt off the bench and stared down the drive at the cloud of dust and the black gig just becoming visible. “I think so, yes.”
The next hour was a blur. She led the doctor to the schoolroom and did her best to hint that she suspected poisoning without saying it outright. Duncan and she agreed that it was better if none of the servants knew about the poisoning, especially as they suspected one of them. If that culprit knew he or she was under suspicion, they might either flee or be more careful.
Next time Johnny might not be so fortunate.
By the time the doctor left, Johnny was feeling much better. A dose of ipecac had caused him to empty the contents of his stomach, which were thankfully meager. Lucy could only breathe a sigh of relief that the boy hadn’t eaten more of the porridge.
Duncan met with Lord and Lady John and told them of their suspicions, while Lucy looked for an opportunity to question Wilhemina. Lady John was reluctant to allow Johnny out of her sight, so Lucy had only to wait until Master George was napping. She stood outside the nursery until all was quiet and Wilhemina stepped outside, closing the door quietly.
“Oh!” The nurse jumped at seeing Lucy standing outside.
Lucy smiled, showing her dimples. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. Master John is with his mother, and I thought I’d see if you needed any assistance.”
Wilhemina smiled. She was a sturdy woman with a slight German accent. She had blond hair and blue eyes along with ruddy cheeks. “I need to collect the baby’s nappies from the line.”
“I already did.” Lucy gestured to the basket of white rectangles beside her.
Wilhemina’s eyes widened. “Thank you.”
“Shall we fold them? How about in the schoolroom so we might talk without disturbing the baby?”
Wilhemina nodded, and Lucy opened the schoolroom door. The ladies placed the basket between them, and Lucy wasted no time with her interrogation. “What a chaotic morning! I’m so relieved Johnny seems to be feeling better.”
“As am I,” Wilhemina said, folding a white cloth square. “I would not have scolded him to eat if I had known his tummy hurt.”
“Of course not. But then who can blame you? You went to all the trouble to make the porridge and bring the tray of food. Of course, you didn’t want it to go to waste.”
Wilhemina looked up and Lucy smiled again.
“I do not like to waste food, but I did not bring the tray.”
Lucy felt a cold shiver go through her, but she casually lifted another cloth square and folded it. “Oh, I thought you did.”
“No. I brought the baby to the nursery, and Ada came with the tray.”
Lucy forced herself to keep smiling. “She is such a sweet, helpful girl.” And she really was a girl. Probably no older than seventeen.
