Chapter Seventeen
Despite his lordship’sdisapproval, Victoria had made herself look upon Mrs. Taylor, though only for a few brief seconds. Love his heart, Lord Thompson and his sweet analytical mind meant to protect her. “Before you look, permit me to describe what you will view,” he had insisted.
Victoria nodded for him to proceed.
“Mrs. Taylor’s face is very bruised from where she was struck about the head. She has been here for a few hours, which means some parts of her body have swollen from the body’s fluids. Mrs. Taylor’s body will not appear as one would, say, in your father’s church or a lying-in for a funeral. More cuts and bruises than you might expect. More damage to the skin. These conditions are all temporary. Soon they will lessen in severity.”
Victoria nodded her understanding, and he stepped aside. His description answered some of her initial questions and had softened the horror, but to look upon a loving and familiar person, who had been nothing but kindness, would likely haunt Victoria’s days.
After a matter of seconds, Lord Thompson stepped between her and the scene. “You can confirm the woman is a former boardinghouse roommate?” he asked.
“Yes,” she whispered as she swayed in place.
Lord Thompson backed her from the scene, constantly holding onto her shoulders. He guided her out of the close and around the corner, where he again leaned her up against a building. He squatted down to look her in the eyes. “Steady your breathing. Take slow, deep breaths.” He lifted her chin with the tips of his fingers. “Do you feel as if you might faint?”
“I have never fainted, my lord,” she declared and made herself stand firm, but she still felt a bit weak. “Hold me…” she began, and immediately his lordship’s arms were about her. Together, they stood on a busy London street—workers preparing for their day streamed around them. His chin rested on her head; her bonnet and gloves were still in her bag. Whether Victoria should have done so or not, she snuggled closer, absorbing his strength to make her whole again. For those few moments of contact, she could believe she was no longer alone in the world.
As her breathing had begun to settle, someone cleared his throat nearby. It was Lord Graham again. “I know your heart is sore with grief, Miss Whitchurch, but can you identify the needles as yours?”
“She did not…” Lord Thompson began his protest.
However, Lord Graham shushed his brother. “I did not say Miss Whitchurch committed a murder. We all know Miss Whitchurch is likely not strong enough to commit a murder, especially one so staged. I doubt any woman could do such harm, but we must put all the pieces together. Miss Whitchurch has again and again performed benevolently; yet, even you, Benjamin, realize this was a message to our family.”
“Go on,” Victoria instructed, ignoring Lord Thompson’s censoring of his brother’s efforts. “Ask your questions, my lord. If I know anything that would be of service in finding justice, I am willing to assist.”
“First, do you know anything about the lady’s family? Who should we contact?” Graham questioned.
“The lady has two sons, but I have only met one of them. A Mr. Linville Taylor, a solicitor, so named for ‘Linville’ was Mrs. Taylor’s family name. I do not know where his offices must be, but I do know he in London proper.”
“We will find him,” Graham assured.
“Secondly, and more personally, is there anyone who would want to blame you for a crime?” Lord Graham asked.
“None I could name.” She swallowed her pride and said, “My sister could have earned enemies, beyond Mr. Betts, though the young gentleman possesses a mean streak he readily conceals. I have met few in London other than those at Mr. Sustar’s shop and your brother. Working ten to twelve hours each day for Mr. Sustar and caring for the child, I have seen little of London and have taken in no entertainments. When I am not performing the first two, I am snatching bits of sleep. My days, by most standards, are full, but not remarkable.”
Graham nodded his understanding. “When you have time to do so, please inventory what is in your bag and inform Thompson if anything beyond the needles and the child’s gown are missing.”
“I shall,” she said.
“Take her home,” Graham ordered. “I apologize, miss. None of us wish to bring you anguish.”
“You will keep me informed,” Lord Thompson instructed.
“Absolutely,” Graham said. “I should rejoin Duncan and the constable.” With a bow, his lordship walked away.
Lord Thompson said, “I wish I had brought my coach, for it would provide us more privacy, but I see Brunswick has brought the gig around and has secured my horse. Let us go home.”
Victoria nodded her agreement.
Lord Thompson instructed his footman, “You are to ride the horse and follow us. Close.”
Brunswick’s shoulders straightened in preparedness as he answered, “Aye, sir.”
His lordship led her to where the gig was waiting. “Tuck yourself into my side,” he instructed as he assisted her to her seat. “I would prefer that few recognized you, so don your bonnet.” He said in strict seriousness, “If someone wishes to teach my family a lesson, I do not want you caught in the ensuing melee.”
Victoria did not know how she felt about his words. She feared he would turn from her in order to protect her, and her heart would know a greater loss than any she had known previously.
Once the horse was in motion, and they were moving away from the devastation of a few moments earlier, he said, “You should rest today. I will assist in caring for the boy.”
