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Even the doctor is right there, quick to attend. Shaking his head, he pronounces, “Poison!”
We can’t see Goddard’s face for any tell-tale signs, but I ask, “Cyanide?”
“Possibly,” he says, “it’s kept on board for the rats.” He frowns at the discarded candy. “Foolish to dust human treats to tempt them. Who would have done that?”
“The same person who threw a knife at Lord Bentwood?” Lady Bentwood snaps.
Mr. Richards scowls when he notices her.
“Someone remove the ladies, this is no sight for them.”
Fed up with arrogant games of misbelief, I snap, “If you didn’t believe her before then perhaps you should now. Those candies were meant for the Earl, and I will not have you dismissing the notion.”
Goddard spasms again. We all jump.
“He’s still with us.” The doctor cautions.
“Can’t you do anything?” Bentwood asks.
“No, nothing but wait. It’s not a pleasant way to go.”
The Countess stares at Goddard’s twitching form. “That could have been you.”
“Or you,” Bentwood murmurs.
Of course, it could have been, but I doubt the candied fruit was there for anyone but the Earl. Bentwood was meant to be alone in his cabin, thrashing and spasming without any the wiser. Lady Bentwood grasps his arm. She is well and truly frightened. So she should be.
“Mr. Richards will watch over Mr. Goddard,” he tells her. “Let’s get you away from here. It’s been a trying day. You need your rest.”
“Poor Mr. Goddard.” Lady Bentwood scrunches down to touch the man’s twitching shoulder. “Such a sweet man.” The Earl helps her up.
Doomed by a sweet tooth. Is Bentwood a savoury or sweets man, and who is aware of the answer?
Chapter Eight
Uncover Evidence
“Drat!”
“Can you manage, Lady Eleanor?” I ask from beneath the ladder as the older woman tugs the hem of her garment from beneath her foot.
“Can you see beyond the halo of the lanterns?” she asks.
Only two clouded lanterns light the corridor between cabins. Impossible to penetrate the gloom.
“Not well.”
I shiver. Someone could be watching us from the shadows. She steps down onto the deck.
“Easy to accost someone unawares.”
“It’s far too dangerous on this ship.”
I spent the entire morning as close to Bentwood as possible. He still managed to elude me.
“Where is Steves? And our guard? I thought we were to have a guard on our deck.”
Even as Lady E. asks, a cabin boy spins around in the doorway of her cabin.
