Chapter 43
Jonathan received the news with his morning tea. That the contents of the poison chest had been stolen was disturbing, but thanks to the meeting with the apothecary, inspector, and constable, it was not unexpected. What was unexpected and perhaps a little frightening was the violence with which the chest had been attacked.
“An axe, you say?” Jonathan questioned Mr. Hammonds who had accompanied the footman bringing his tea. “Thank goodness none of the staff interrupted this person or persons unknown. If he was strong enough to hack through the chains that bound the cabinet, he would surely have turned his weapon against anyone who interrupted him. The concern now is how to recover those materials before he can use them to do mischief.”
“I have already sent for the constable and the Inspector, Your Grace. What else should we do?”
“Set a watch on the poison room in the orangery, both inside and out. Caution the men not to pursue anyone entering the area, since some of those plants are dangerous to even touch. As was pointed out at our meeting with the apothecary at the Gentle Sisters, the orangeries are made of glass, and are therefore not an easy place to keep secure.”
“I understand, Your Grace. I will speak to Gunther, our senior guard. He might want to recruit some additional help from the villagers.”
“The Cory boys might be a good choice for that, since Mr. Cory the Elder starts all of them out in the smithy, even if they take up other professions later in their lives.”
“How many are there, now?” Mr. Hammonds mused.
“Six, I believe, plus four daughters who are as buxom as their mother. They have quite a brood.”
“Indeed. Gunther might know of others who are trustworthy and trained well enough to serve. One of my nephews is back from the war, and I think that Betty McGuire has two brothers.”
“It sounds as if you have that well in hand, Mr. Hammonds. I will leave you to see to it.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. Something else you should know. This packet came for you in the post. It had set for a time in the Edinburgh office before making its way to us, but it looks very official. I thought you should see it at once. And there is also a missive from my grandson, Christopher. I have had one also. He says that he is well, and has met with Miss Singer’s parents. But I am sure that more details will be in your letter.”
When Mr. Hammonds had made his ponderous way out the door, Jonathan opened the letter from Christopher Hammonds. He scanned it quickly. The young man’s handwriting was clear and easy to read, as befitted a youth training for diplomacy. Much of it was details about his journey, the food (mostly lack thereof), the accommodations and conditions in the French countryside. Then he got to the meat of the matter.
“I found Celeste’s parents in reasonably good health. Mr. Singer has been able to make a little money for himself, as well as making the house where they are residing a little more stable. But there is little money to be had, and even less food. I will bring them with me upon my return. Mr. Singer is happy to get Mrs. Singer to more secure surroundings as she has been ill. She is recovering, but there is precious little in the way of good food for an older woman whose health is precarious.
“On the other matter about which I was charged to investigate, I have found a curious piece of information. It will be coming to you by way of the regular mail, and should precede this missive. I think it will make you a great deal easier in your mind and help you with your current concerns.”
“A little less cryptic would be nice, young Christopher,” Jonathan murmured. He reached for the official looking envelope, but was interrupted by David Hammonds, who scarcely paused to tap at his door.
“Your Grace! I went with Gunther to see about posting a guard on the poison room in the orangery. It has been plundered, and many of the plants have been ruined.”
“What is missing, David?”
“Mostly the opium poppies and the monkshood, Your Grace. But several large nightshade plants have also been ripped from their pots. Gran’ther Tim is there now, wearing his special clothes and has charged us all to stay clear.”
“Send down to the Gentle Sisters for Sister Agatha. Tell her what is amiss. She will, no doubt, have to bring one of the other sisters or Father Jacob with her, but she is the only person I know who is fully qualified to assist our head gardener.”
“Is the risk truly so great as that, Your Grace?”
“It is. Sometimes I have thought that we should not be growing these medicinal plants, but they have been used to save lives. Now, I fear that they might be used to put lives in danger.”
As soon as David was out the door again, Jonathan reached for the envelope only to be interrupted again. This time Mr. Hammonds tapped at the door, bringing Inspector Ravensgard and Constable McHenry with him. “Your Grace,” he began.
“Yes, yes, Mr. Hammonds. Bring them on in. Good morning Inspector, good morning Constable.”
Constable McHenry looked sober and a little frightened, Inspector Ravensgard looked grim. “How is it, Your Grace,” he demanded, “that you are growing large quantities of poisons in your greenhouses?”
“Profit, Inspector, and medicines. Sister Agatha, whom you have met, makes up most of the medicines used by Dr. Dermott. The surplus is dried, distilled, or preserved and sent to Edinburgh to the large apothecary shops. As you might have noticed, this is not a large establishment and we look for ways to make extra where we can.”
The Inspector nodded. “I do see that, and that you are largely self-sufficient. I wonder, Your Grace, if you have thought that you might be a target, isolated as you are?”
“Until now, our isolation has been protective. It isn’t easy to get into Gwyndonmere Valley, and it is even harder to get up the mountain to the old Mabway estate.”
“Is anyone at Mabway now that your Duchess’s father has passed?”
“Only a housekeeping force, Inspector. Her Grace does not like to visit there, especially since the main house burned. She says that it makes her uncomfortable and unhappy.”
