Read Online Death in the Setting Sun by Deryn Lake - Free Book Online Page B

ensemble, though run a close second by Milady, who really was exquisite. Blonde and blue-eyed, not dissimilar to Emilia in type, she looked a true member of the aristocracy with her perfect figure and upright bearing. In a highly individual style she had a blonde ringlet, just one, hanging over her left shoulder, which John thought an utterly captivating fashion.
    As the lady took her bow she caught the Apothecary looking at her and blushed in a most becoming manner, which he found quite delightful.
    Princess Amelia stood up and addressed the entire cast. “My Lady, ladies and gentleman, please join us in this room as soon as’you are ready. Refreshments will be served. I will retire for a few minutes. Ladies, attend me if you please.”
    Lady Theydon, Lady Kemp and Lady Featherstone- haugh immediately rose from their places and went to the Princess’s side. The Countess of Hampshire, as befitted her station no doubt, took slightly longer to walk the distance. As soon as they had all gathered, the Princess trundled from the room, smiling at all who caught her eye. John was instantly reminded of the four Marys who had served Mary, Queen of Scots, as the quartet of serving women, walking two abreast, demurely followed her out.
    No sooner had she gone than servants appeared, once more bearing trays. John took another glass of champagne and crossed to the great window, staring out into the gardens. From this observation place he had a fine view of the grounds, except where the trees grew thickly at some distance from the house. Nothing stirred below him but now the sun was blood-red and setting quite quickly. John turned away from the window but as he did so he saw Priscilla in her scarlet cloak run across the lawn and down the steps, past the ornamental lakes and into the shadow of the trees. Wondering what on earth she could be up to, John stared. Nothing moved anywhere. With a faint feeling of unease he turned away as he felt rather than saw someone bow before him.
    “More champagne, Sir?”
    It was a footman, a swarthy pock-marked fellow with a white wig which contrasted fiercely with his ravaged face. Even while not speaking his mouth moved constantly, giving the disconcerting impression that he was about to say more. John waited but nothing further came.
    “Thank you.” He took another glass and turned once more to the window. Yet again, there was no movement.
    Michael O’Callaghan appeared, panting and out of breath. Despite the chill of the day there were beads of perspiration on his brow.
    “Oh, there you are, Mr. Rawlings,” he said without any preamble. “Your delightful wife told me of the coincidence. Me going into your shop and all. By the way, my hypochondrium is much improved thanks to your physics.”
    “I’m glad to hear it. Will you be returning to Drury Lane?”
    The actor flashed a great smile full of dazzling white teeth. “If they’ll have me, yes. Of course. However, they were less than sympathetic about my injury.”
    Any further discussion was made impossible by the arrival of the children, who came in in a bunch, all six of them, chattering like monkeys.
    John moved his head in their direction. “To whom do they belong?”
    “The royal servants have the honour. They’ve been little pests during rehearsals.”
    The actor wiped his brow, still beaded with sweat, though his breathing was back to normal.
    “In what way?”
    “In a children’s way. Making a noise and suchlike. I come from a family of eight and I can’t honestly say that the experience endeared younger people to me.”
    “You don’t like them?”
    The actor spread his hands, looking comical. “I can take ‘em or leave ‘em, if you follow me.”
    There was a noise from the doorway and the Apothecary saw that Lady Georgiana, her face fresh, her lustrous ringlet still in place, had come in.
    “A beautiful woman that,” he said. “A pity she didn’t have a larger part.”
    “Ah, she’s a bit of a fool when it comes