Read Online Spider Light by Sarah Rayne - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sarah Rayne
Tags: Mystery & Suspense
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father be? For a wild moment the image of the cat-faced child in Seven Dials rose up before her eyes, and she could almost see the son the girl would have: strong and tough and rebellious. The girl would probably do it as well if Thomasina paid her enough, and she could find her easily enough: she had her address on a half sheet of paper, which she kept discreetly at the back of her bureau.
But if there was to be a child it had better be Maud’s, although Maud would have to be coaxed to take part in the conception, never mind endure the birth. Still, there were ways of breakingdown the resistance of a shrinking prudish virgin. Not violence, of course, nothing so crude, but perhaps something discreetly stirred in Maud’s food that would make her drowsy? Nothing harmful. There was laudanum which was easy enough to obtain, or even opium which was smoked in certain London clubs. Simon might know how to get hold of opium, or there was the ramshackle house in Seven Dials. A smile lifted the corners of Thomasina’s lips at the thought. The occupants of that house would certainly be able to get opium, although the cat-faced girl would charge at least triple for it. There would be some reason for needing the money–the girl always had a good reason: a sister who was sick was a favourite one.
And then Simon wrote to say he was utterly destitute again and his creditors were chasing him all over London. If there was any possibility of his dearest Thomasina helping him out–for old times’ sake and all that–he would be eternally her slave, and would do anything she asked of him.
Anything she asked.
The plan slid as sleekly and as smoothly as a serpent into Thomasina’s mind.
Latchkill Asylum for the Insane
Day Book: Sunday 26th September
Report by Nurse Bryony Sullivan
Reaper Wing residents allowed in recreation yard last night in accordance with Dr Glass’s instructions. (6.45 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.) However, tonight several displayed reluctance to return to wing afterwards, and two were downright defiant and had to be sedated, although nets did not have to be used this time, which is one mercy.
Matron Prout called in Dr Glass, and asked for his approval in putting a stop to this recreation hour. However, Dr Glass says very firmly that it must continue, since it’s the only fresh air (and degree of normality) Reaper Wing residents are likelyto get. Pointed out that isolated outbreak of childish tantrums hardly on level with French Revolution.
Memorandum to Kitchens
Please to ensure that patients in Reaper Wing are only served with plain bread and water for the next two days–a light diet is very beneficial in calming agitated patients.
There is no need for Dr Glass to be informed of this small and unimportant alteration in their routine.
Signed F. Prout (Matron)
Latchkill Asylum for the Insane
Day Book: Tuesday 28th September
7.00 p.m.
Matron caught Dora Scullion and Nurse Bryony Sullivan smuggling supper tray into Reaper Wing. (Vegetable broth and slice of cold roast lamb from midday dinner.)
Both reprimanded by Matron.
Memorandum to Bursar
Please ensure that the week’s wages for Dora Scullion (skivvy) and Bryony Sullivan (nurse) are docked by three shillings and five shillings respectively.
Signed F. Prout (Matron)
Antonia did not feel like eating, but she heated some tinned soup for herself, and fed the remains of the smoked salmon to Raffles. There would be a perfectly innocent explanation as to how he had got in–perhaps Godfrey Toy had a key to the cottage and had let the cat in by mistake. This did not explain how Raffles had gotthe salmon out of the fridge, but it was either that or back to the ghosts or Antonia’s own madness. No contest, then. Sorry, Godfrey, for the moment you’ll have to be first suspect.
After the soup, she carried a cup of tea back to her favourite part of the cottage, the dining area by the stairs, and flipped on the laptop. The wall light directly over the table cast a
But if there was to be a child it had better be Maud’s, although Maud would have to be coaxed to take part in the conception, never mind endure the birth. Still, there were ways of breakingdown the resistance of a shrinking prudish virgin. Not violence, of course, nothing so crude, but perhaps something discreetly stirred in Maud’s food that would make her drowsy? Nothing harmful. There was laudanum which was easy enough to obtain, or even opium which was smoked in certain London clubs. Simon might know how to get hold of opium, or there was the ramshackle house in Seven Dials. A smile lifted the corners of Thomasina’s lips at the thought. The occupants of that house would certainly be able to get opium, although the cat-faced girl would charge at least triple for it. There would be some reason for needing the money–the girl always had a good reason: a sister who was sick was a favourite one.
And then Simon wrote to say he was utterly destitute again and his creditors were chasing him all over London. If there was any possibility of his dearest Thomasina helping him out–for old times’ sake and all that–he would be eternally her slave, and would do anything she asked of him.
Anything she asked.
The plan slid as sleekly and as smoothly as a serpent into Thomasina’s mind.
Latchkill Asylum for the Insane
Day Book: Sunday 26th September
Report by Nurse Bryony Sullivan
Reaper Wing residents allowed in recreation yard last night in accordance with Dr Glass’s instructions. (6.45 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.) However, tonight several displayed reluctance to return to wing afterwards, and two were downright defiant and had to be sedated, although nets did not have to be used this time, which is one mercy.
Matron Prout called in Dr Glass, and asked for his approval in putting a stop to this recreation hour. However, Dr Glass says very firmly that it must continue, since it’s the only fresh air (and degree of normality) Reaper Wing residents are likelyto get. Pointed out that isolated outbreak of childish tantrums hardly on level with French Revolution.
Memorandum to Kitchens
Please to ensure that patients in Reaper Wing are only served with plain bread and water for the next two days–a light diet is very beneficial in calming agitated patients.
There is no need for Dr Glass to be informed of this small and unimportant alteration in their routine.
Signed F. Prout (Matron)
Latchkill Asylum for the Insane
Day Book: Tuesday 28th September
7.00 p.m.
Matron caught Dora Scullion and Nurse Bryony Sullivan smuggling supper tray into Reaper Wing. (Vegetable broth and slice of cold roast lamb from midday dinner.)
Both reprimanded by Matron.
Memorandum to Bursar
Please ensure that the week’s wages for Dora Scullion (skivvy) and Bryony Sullivan (nurse) are docked by three shillings and five shillings respectively.
Signed F. Prout (Matron)
Antonia did not feel like eating, but she heated some tinned soup for herself, and fed the remains of the smoked salmon to Raffles. There would be a perfectly innocent explanation as to how he had got in–perhaps Godfrey Toy had a key to the cottage and had let the cat in by mistake. This did not explain how Raffles had gotthe salmon out of the fridge, but it was either that or back to the ghosts or Antonia’s own madness. No contest, then. Sorry, Godfrey, for the moment you’ll have to be first suspect.
After the soup, she carried a cup of tea back to her favourite part of the cottage, the dining area by the stairs, and flipped on the laptop. The wall light directly over the table cast a
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