Read Online Death in the West Wind by Deryn Lake - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Deryn Lake
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longer.
“I’ll meet you in the inn,” he called out, pointing to The Dragon. Tve a lot to tell you.”
As soon as he had done this, the Apothecary thought how annoyed his adopted father, Sir Gabriel Kent, doyen of all that was fine and fashionable, would have been with him for familiarity with the servants. Yet it was very difficult not to discuss the matter with someone who had been present from the start of the whole odd affair. And it was odd indeed, John considered, that the family should be so blighted; first the daughter’s murder, then the son’s disappearance, and finally the father, presumably at his wit’s end, wandering the streets of Exeter in search of a girl already dead.
Irish Tom heard the story in silence, supping ale the meanwhile. When John had finished, he finally put his tankard down. “Are you going to the brothel, Sir?”
“Well, I don’t suppose for a minute that van Guylder will be there, after all the last thing on his mind must be the delights of the flesh. But perhaps I might get some information about where else he goes.”
“And what about these people, Fitz? Are you going to call on them?”
“It’s going to be difficult if they’re as grand as they sound. But try I must. After all, the disappearance of Richard at the time of his sister’s murder is very significant.”
“Do you think he had anything to do with it?”
“In what way?”
“I mean could he have killed her himself, Sir?”
“I suppose he might have been one of the people involved, yes. You see, Tom, it’s my belief that this was the work of at least two different hands, probably more.”
“The van Guylders, father and son?”
“Perish the thought, for she had been raped as well.”
“How disgusting. Yet one hears some terrible things on one’s travels.”
“Further, Tom, I’m certain the girl was pregnant.”
“Well, if one of the filthy bastards had done that to her they might well want her silenced for ever, rather than bring shame on the pair of “em.”
John was about to remonstrate, about to say that they were jumping to conclusions and that incest was very far from proven, when a name caught his attention.
“ … Richard van Guylder been in today?” Both the Apothecary and his coachman turned to look and saw a beefy young man, very fresh of countenance and fair of head, standing at the counter, earnestly questioning the landlord. Realising that he was being regarded, the newcomer stared back then made an awkward bow.
“Do I know you, Sir?”
“No, Sir. But I couldn’t help hearing you mention Richard van Guylder.”
The young man’s rubicund features flushed to the shade of a cherry. “You have news of him?”
It was impossible, for the moment at least, to tell the truth. “I have some,” John answered vaguely. “But perhaps you would care to sit here and tell me your connection with the gentleman before I impart it.”
The young man crossed the room, his over-tight breeches straining a little as he walked. The Apothecary found him rather a pathetic figure despite his hearty looks.
“Tobias Wills, at your service, Sir.” He bowed, his jacket creasing at the sleeves as he did so. “I am betrothed to Juliana,” he announced proudly. “We are to be married in the summer. Richard is my future brother-in- law.”
John stared at him, stupefied, not having a single idea as to how to handle this latest situation. “When did you last see her?” was absolutely the best he could manage.
Every thought process Tobias had ran over his face for even a child to read. Surprise changed to suspicion to worry before he blurted out, “Why do you ask that?”
The Apothecary decided that total discretion was the only way forward.
“Because I believe she might be in Exeter visiting her brother, who has probably taken the day off school. Mr. van Guylder is thought to be in the city looking for them.”
Tobias laughed heartily. “How like Juliana. She’ll be shopping and has
“I’ll meet you in the inn,” he called out, pointing to The Dragon. Tve a lot to tell you.”
As soon as he had done this, the Apothecary thought how annoyed his adopted father, Sir Gabriel Kent, doyen of all that was fine and fashionable, would have been with him for familiarity with the servants. Yet it was very difficult not to discuss the matter with someone who had been present from the start of the whole odd affair. And it was odd indeed, John considered, that the family should be so blighted; first the daughter’s murder, then the son’s disappearance, and finally the father, presumably at his wit’s end, wandering the streets of Exeter in search of a girl already dead.
Irish Tom heard the story in silence, supping ale the meanwhile. When John had finished, he finally put his tankard down. “Are you going to the brothel, Sir?”
“Well, I don’t suppose for a minute that van Guylder will be there, after all the last thing on his mind must be the delights of the flesh. But perhaps I might get some information about where else he goes.”
“And what about these people, Fitz? Are you going to call on them?”
“It’s going to be difficult if they’re as grand as they sound. But try I must. After all, the disappearance of Richard at the time of his sister’s murder is very significant.”
“Do you think he had anything to do with it?”
“In what way?”
“I mean could he have killed her himself, Sir?”
“I suppose he might have been one of the people involved, yes. You see, Tom, it’s my belief that this was the work of at least two different hands, probably more.”
“The van Guylders, father and son?”
“Perish the thought, for she had been raped as well.”
“How disgusting. Yet one hears some terrible things on one’s travels.”
“Further, Tom, I’m certain the girl was pregnant.”
“Well, if one of the filthy bastards had done that to her they might well want her silenced for ever, rather than bring shame on the pair of “em.”
John was about to remonstrate, about to say that they were jumping to conclusions and that incest was very far from proven, when a name caught his attention.
“ … Richard van Guylder been in today?” Both the Apothecary and his coachman turned to look and saw a beefy young man, very fresh of countenance and fair of head, standing at the counter, earnestly questioning the landlord. Realising that he was being regarded, the newcomer stared back then made an awkward bow.
“Do I know you, Sir?”
“No, Sir. But I couldn’t help hearing you mention Richard van Guylder.”
The young man’s rubicund features flushed to the shade of a cherry. “You have news of him?”
It was impossible, for the moment at least, to tell the truth. “I have some,” John answered vaguely. “But perhaps you would care to sit here and tell me your connection with the gentleman before I impart it.”
The young man crossed the room, his over-tight breeches straining a little as he walked. The Apothecary found him rather a pathetic figure despite his hearty looks.
“Tobias Wills, at your service, Sir.” He bowed, his jacket creasing at the sleeves as he did so. “I am betrothed to Juliana,” he announced proudly. “We are to be married in the summer. Richard is my future brother-in- law.”
John stared at him, stupefied, not having a single idea as to how to handle this latest situation. “When did you last see her?” was absolutely the best he could manage.
Every thought process Tobias had ran over his face for even a child to read. Surprise changed to suspicion to worry before he blurted out, “Why do you ask that?”
The Apothecary decided that total discretion was the only way forward.
“Because I believe she might be in Exeter visiting her brother, who has probably taken the day off school. Mr. van Guylder is thought to be in the city looking for them.”
Tobias laughed heartily. “How like Juliana. She’ll be shopping and has
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