WHILE ADDING CREAM TO HER CUP OF TEA AT BREAKFAST THE NEXT
morning, Signa overheard Warwick telling Elijah that Blytheโs tongue was beginning to fester with the same sores that Lillianโs had in the late stages of her โdisease.โ Blythe had been sick throughout the night, unable to keep any food or drink down.
Signa gripped her knife tight, trying not to let her frustration draw attention to herself for fear that Elijah might suddenly come to his senses and not allow such a conversation at the breakfast table.
Deathโs warning had been fortuitously timed, and now that a cure was known, Signa had only to get her hands on it. But she couldnโt help wondering why Blythe was still so ill. Signa had instructed her not to drink anything but water. Had told her to dump her medicine when no one was watching. Signa had checked Blytheโs room that very morning while her cousin slept; sheโd inspected the cold tea and pastry left at her bedside, both of which were fine. But because her tongue was starting to show signs of poison, Signa knew that, somehow, she was still consuming belladonna.
โThe doctor doesnโt think it wise for her to have visitors
today,โ Warwick told Elijah, who was scraping butter across a muffin in an angry manner Signa had not known someone holding a muffin could be capable of. โHe and Percy were
able to break the fever this morning, though she had a bout of delirium.โ Signa was glad, at least, that Percy had been there to supervise the doctor when she couldnโt. She tried to steal his attention across the table to tell him as much, but Percy kept his tired eyes low as he stirred his untouched porridge.
โWhat did she see this time?โ Elijah was as brash as he was disheveled, graying hair sprouting from his head every which way. He wore spectacles low on his nose and was still wearing an emerald robe with matching slippers while Signa already wore her corset and a pinstripe wrapper, with her hair twisted into an elegant knot at her neck. Sheโd have to change into a wool visiting dress before leaving the house, as to do otherwise would be met with immediate gossip and ridicule. While Signa had spent so many years longing for a place in society, she found herself becoming a bitโฆ tired. And immensely jealous of Elijahโs lack of care and decorum.
โIt was Mother.โ Percy was the one who answered, still
not looking up. โBlythe claimed she was in the garden with our mother.โ
It made no sense that after months with both Blythe and Lillian ill, no one had suspected poison. Was the doctor truly so incompetent? โPerhaps company is exactly what she needs,โ Signa said in her rage. The signs were thereโ the delirium, the sores, the sour stomach, coughing up blood. It was all there. It was true she knew a fair bit more about poison than the average person, but still.
โMiss Farrowโโ Marjorie, who wore more rouge than usual upon her cheeks to conceal that one side of her face was still swollen, seemed ready to chide Signa before Elijah waved her off with his knife hand.
โLet her speak freely. Any rules we maintained in this home ended long ago.โ He ate nearly half the scone in one bite. โState your piece, girl.โ Despite his erratic behavior, Signa found she rather liked Elijah and his bluntness. In a
world revolving around forced niceties and bending to the whims of others, it was refreshing. Still, she could not simply tell him that she knew of an antidote for Blytheโs illnessโshe had to tread these waters lightly.
โIn this state, it would be a burden on her mind to be left alone with such thoughts,โ Signa said. โIf you donโt mind, sir, Iโd like to head into town to see if I can find something that might lift her spirits. Just a small gift, should you allow me some money and your permission.โ
Percy, whoโd been glaring into his porridge as though it was the source of all his troubles, finally peered up at Signa with interest. Marjorie, however, was having none of it.
โIf the doctor doesnโt recommend she has company,โ Marjorie said, grasping a fork firmly in one hand, โwe should abide by his suggestion.โ As a governess, she was welcome to sit and dine with the family, but she spoke too openly for any household that hadnโt abandoned the strictures imposed by society. Too freely, and without anyone reprimanding her.
โAs we did with Lillian?โ Elijah asked coolly enough that several at the table shivered. โA lot of good that did my wife.โ
Signa collected Elijahโs words and stored the memory away to add to her collection. One day soon, she would gather up all the pieces and lay the entire puzzle before her.
โPercy!โ Elijahโs voice boomed with authority. โYou will go with your cousin. See that she is safe and has what she needs.โ
Percy sat straighter. โIf weโre to go into town, with your permission Iโd like to stop by Greyโs and check on the orders.โ His voice was flat and factual, lacking even a hint of emotion to betray his earlier desperation to visit the club.
The corners of Elijahโs mouth twitched. โYou will accompany your cousin on her errand, and then youโll
return.โ He spoke with finality.
Percy seemed to feel it, too, for while it was clear he wanted to argue, he settled in his chair and gripped his teacup, knuckles white. โYes, Father.โ When he sank lower in his seat, Signa dared not look at him, guilt heavy in her chest. โOf course.โ
 |
Percy was far from entertaining company.
As he preferred not to ride horseback, a coach was readied for the journey into town. It wasnโt too long a ride, but Signa had never been more uncomfortable. Even traveling with Sylas, an unrelated stranger, had been easier to navigate.
Signa missed the way Percy had been yesterday, before Byron had shown up with the news of Greyโs to spoil the mood. She missed his laughter and jesting, and the feeling of his spirit vibrant with life. The Percy she was with now was not the sly and teasing man that sheโd been getting to know, but one who was rigid and proper and sharp. His thumb traced circles over a leather coin purse as he glared out the coachโs window, chin jutting with great severity as he observed the passing landscape. Signa bit her tongue. It was cruel, she thought, that Elijah would not give him a chance. That he chose to ignore his sonโs suffering no matter how deep it was.
โI found something, cousin,โ she said, hoping to lift his
spirits. โWeโre not here to find Blythe pretty new gloves or stationery. Weโre going into town because Iโve found her a cure.โ
Only then did he rouse. โWhat do you mean youโve found a cure?โ His eyes were narrowed. โThere hasnโt been a single doctor whoโs been able to help my sister.โ
โNone of them knew that she was being poisoned. But we do, and Iโve found an antidote. Thereโs an apothecary in town, andโโ
โAn apothecary?โ His brows shot toward the ceiling. โSigna, we cannot trust my sisterโs life to an amateur. There has to be a medicine that will help her. We can speak with more doctorsโโ
โIf the doctors havenโt caught on now, theyโre either all fools or someoneโs been paying them off.โ
Any retorts died on his tongue. โYou think thatโs possible?โ His Adamโs apple bobbed. โEven if that is the case, some apothecaryโs cure isnโt something we should be playing around with. There are safer ways to go about these matters.โ
โI understand your frustration, but nothing else is working, Percy.โ She took his hand, squeezing tight. โBut this will, I promise. I need you to trust me.โ
He looked to the carriage roof as though it held the answers and sighed when it did not share them. โVery well. If thereโs a possibility, then of course we must try it. Though we cannot allow ourselves to be seen thereโthe entire town will talk.โ
โOf course.โ
Signaโs smile was not reciprocated as Percy turned his attention to the rattling cobblestone streets that were so much brighter and more open in the daylight than when sheโd been here with Sylas several nights before. Now the shops that lined the street were fully awakened. Through immaculate windows, Signa spotted women in gloves and bonnets, draped in cashmere gowns as they took their tea or filtered into a shop to order warm clothes and decorations for the approaching winter.
When they passed Greyโs, Percy leaned over Signa and slammed the curtains shut. She reeled back. There was no humor in Percyโs face. No hint of anything but severity.
Signa dared not speak another word.
Percy was the first one out of the carriage when it rolled to a stop in front of a tiny green shop. Ivy stretched up and over the walls, and a window display showcased an assortment of vibrant plants hung from woven canopies. Signa was so busy staring that it took Percy clearing his throat for her to notice he was holding out his arm. Passersby surveyed them with curiosity, turning to gossip with one another and likely theorizing over Signaโs presence. Percy adjusted the small gold button on one of his brown leather gloves and paid them no mind. There was likely nothing anyone could do or say that would make Percy come across as anything but a gentleman in the public eye.
Inside the shop, they were greeted by a frail elderly
woman with white hair. One look at her and Percyโs nose turned upward.
โDonโt dawdle,โ he whispered. โWe get whatever you need, and then we get out.โ
For a fleeting moment Signa wished sheโd stepped on his toes harder the day before, though she refused to let his negativity sit with her when theyโd entered such a wonderland. Jars of tonics and bottles of herbs sat upon shelves riddled with tiny wooden bobbles. There were small containers of living moss, and dainty baskets of dried herbs that smelled so fragrant Signa wanted to bathe in them.
The middle of the shop was full of live potted plants. Most of them were types Signa had never seen before, with trailing vines or large bulbous flowers. She resisted the urge to stroke her finger across their petals, awed that such a wondrous place could exist. Had she enough money, Signa would have been tempted to buy out the entire store. โCan I help you find something, miss?โ the shopkeeper asked. Signa was glad to see that she paid Percyโs snobbery
no mind.
His eyes darted to Signa, a dark warning brewing within them that signaled her to take caution with her words. The
moment they left the apothecary, gossip would ignite. Though it was possible that whoever was harming Blythe was already aware theyโd been found out, Signa and Percy didnโt need to risk adding fuel to the fire, or word getting back to Elijah that his wifeโs death could have been prevented had someone been playing closer attention to her strange symptoms.
โIโve a friend who ate something sour,โ Signa offered the shopkeeper. โIโm looking for a Calabar bean to help rid her body of some toxins from it. And perhaps something to soothe her stomach after, too.โ
The woman squinted her small eyes in assessment, then made a noise in the back of her throat as she hobbled with Signa toward a back shelf full of small plants and glass vials. Percy followed behind them, making a point of appearing disinterested as the woman inspected the shelves.
The shopkeeper muttered under her breath as she searched, growing more frustrated with her findings row after row until she found what it was that she was looking for and uttered a quiet โAha!โ She produced a small vial with a strange brown nut within it. The Calabar bean.
Signa reached for it, but the woman pulled the vial out of reach. She leaned toward Signa and whispered, โAre you sure itโs what youโre looking for? Itโs highly poisonous, and it wonโt help a sour stomach.โ
Signa knew the Calabar bean was a risk, but if Signa did nothingโif she tookย noย riskโthen Blythe would die, and Signa would spend the rest of her life wondering if she could have saved her.
Signa nodded and put her faith in Death. โYes maโam.
Itโs precisely what I need.โ
The woman dared a quick look at Percy, and said, very softly, โAre you safe, girl? If itโs something for him that you need, I have a few things a little moreโฆ inconspicuous.โ
Signa blanched and set her hands upon the womanโs at
once, hoping that her earnestness was enough to confirm her sincerity. โThatโs not it at all, maโam, I assure you. This will do just fine.โ
With reservation, the shopkeeper hummed and handed over the vial. โCrush it into a powder. Then, put about half of it into a glass with water to induce vomiting.โ Vomiting, Signa hoped, that would help rid Blythe of the poison.
The woman shu๏ฌed over to the back of the shop, skirts brushing against the dusty oak floor. For a long moment she searched, eventually producing a small jar filled with tiny brown seeds that she brought back to Signa. โCaraway seeds,โ she told her, placing the jar in Signaโs palms. โTo help settle your friendโs stomach.โ
Percyโs agitation grew with each person who wandered by the foggy, dirt-crusted windows of the shop and took note of his presence within it. His long fingers refused to cease their tapping upon his thigh. He watched the woman hand over the caraway seeds, keen as a hawk. โDo you have any more of the Calabar bean?โ
โItโs no easy plant to find,โ said the shopkeeper. โThis is all Iโll have for some time.โ
He grunted, dissatisfied, and produced his coin purse. โVery well. How much do we owe you?โ
The woman flinched with surprise at his severity but said firmly enough, โA thruppence will do.โ
Percy pressed a shilling into her waiting palm. โFor your discretion.โ
The shopkeeper fisted the coin with a snort, then dropped it into a pocket of her skirt. โGet out of here, boy, before I give you something to be discreet about.โ
There was no need to tell him twice. Signa tucked the vial away in her pocket as Percy tugged her out of the shop she easily could have spent a full day in, chatting to the shopkeeper about every beautiful thing within it. Her fingers curled tenderly around the jar of caraway seeds. Signa had the vague impression that Percy believed the
apothecary might suddenly infect him with the plague.
He darted a look around to ensure no one was watching as he pushed open the door. โThere is a madness within that woman,โ he said. โI donโt trust her.โ
Signa bristled. โShe is aย healer.โ
โSheโs a witch,โ he scoffed. โI still donโt see how some seed will help my sister when nothing else could.โ
Witch. The word sent Signaโs mind reeling back to the
night of Magdaโs death. โDonโt call her that. If a berry is powerful enough to hurt your sister and kill your mother, then who are you to say a plant cannot heal with that same power?โ
He had no response to that. She could feel the fear rolling off him in waves. She knew that if she were him, she wouldnโt want to let herself hope that this tiny seed would somehow fix everything, either. Because if it didnโtโฆ
โLetโs make haste,โ Percy muttered. โWeโll need to get back to the carriage beforeโโ
โMiss Farrow?โ called a voice from down the street. โMiss Farrow, is that you?โ
Dread sunk its claws into Signa when she saw that Eliza Wakefield and Charlotte Killinger approached, accompanied by a handsome gentleman with light brown skin and a head of wheat-brown curls. He wore a fashionable olive-green topcoat and a hat that he tipped toward them with a smile so charming that Signaโs heart fluttered.
Sweat beaded upon Signaโs brow as Charlotte noticed the shop theyโd emerged from. It was good fortune that she was too polite to speak of it, though the same couldnโt be said for Eliza.
โOh, itย isย you,โ Eliza said as she lowered herself to a
curtsy before Percy. โI thought it might be. Have you come from the apothecary?โ
Percy took on an entirely new air before Signa could bat an eye. โAnd have ourselves cursed by a witch? Never.โ He
spoke in a light, jovial manner that made Signaโs jaw tense. Eliza matched his grating smile, giggling as though he was most humorous. She waited for Charlotte and the man accompanying them to echo the laugh, but both kept their faces smooth. Elizaโfinally able to peel her eyes from Percy long enough to remember herselfโinclined her head and took Signa by the hand. โMy apologies,โ she said. โThis is my cousin Lord Everett Wakefield, son of the Duke of
Berness.โ Eliza held his arm with a smirk upon her lips.
Signa did not remember ever meeting a lord before. He held himself proudly enough that she wondered whether he was first in line to inherit or last. She remembered from the conversation at her welcome tea that he was the most eligible bachelor in town next to Percy, and that he was the potential suitor sheโd spoken with Blythe about the prior day.
Even if he were without money or title, Everett was a man whoโd garner attention for his looks and for the regal way in which he held himself. His shoulders were rolled back, chest proud, and his face was full of youthful spirit. There was wealth in his imported clothing, and a glint in his eyes as he observed Signa. Everett Wakefield was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, and her mind lost all coherent thought when he smiled at her.
โCousin,โ Eliza trilled, โthis is Signa Farrow, the one Iโve been telling you about.โ
Charlotte observed with a blank stare as Everett bowed his head low, the flecks of gold in his hazel eyes dazzling as they flicked up to watch her beneath impressively long lashes. โIโm well aware of who the Farrows wereโI met your mother once, long ago.โ
Signaโs spine tingled with tiny zaps of electricity as he pressed a kiss to the back of her glove. โMy mother?โ
Everettโs smile gleamed bright. โOur parents were once acquainted, though Iโm afraid I donโt remember your father. My memoryโs a bit hazy, as I was a young boy,
though I do remember how the whole house would laugh when your mother arrived. She was a pistol, and my family adored her. Iโm sorry for your loss, Miss Farrow.โ
Signa had to remind herself to incline her head, too lost in her thoughts and a million questions she wanted to ask the man. Sheโd never expected her mother to be called a pistol. If the etiquette book she left behind and the stories Signaโs grandmother had shared were right, surely Lord Wakefield was thinking of the wrong woman.
โItโs lovely to see you again, Miss Farrow,โ Charlotte interjected, though to Signaโs surprise, she looked more ill than she did enthused, her hands folded tightly before her. โAnd you as well, Mr. Hawthorne. Iโm afraid we havenโt long to chat as weโve an appointment at a tearoomโโ
โOh dear, Charlotte, thank you for reminding me!โ Eliza clapped her hands. โDo forgive me for being forward, but weโd be delighted if you were able to join us.โ
Signa didnโt miss how Charlotteโs eyes darkened when she said, โIโm not sure weโll be able to add more to our company with such short noticeโโ
โNonsense. No one would deny two of the townโs most prominent gentlemen.โ Eliza aimed her hopefulness at Percy. โIโm certain they will make an exception if youโd be so kind as to accompany us?โ
Percyโs fingers tapped at his side, and he cast a sideways look at Signa.
Tea, as Signa was learning, never really was justย tea, and
accepting an invitation meant every bit as much as requesting one did. It wasnโt formal for Eliza to make the request herself, but having her cousin on her arm had made her bold. One couldnโt exactly refuse tea with a lord, and though Signa knew what it would mean to decline, all she could think about was Deathโs warning ringing in her ears and that she desperately needed to get the antidote to Blythe. โItโs a kind offer, but perhaps we could join you another day? We wouldnโt want to impose.โ
Eliza didnโt so much as acknowledge that Signa had spoken. โEveryone has been raving about this place. Trust me, Mr. Hawthorne, itโll be impossible to get in once the rest of the town catches wind. Everett and I absolutely insist that you join us today, donโt we, Everett?โ
He grinned down at Signa. โWeโd be offended if you didnโt.โ And though his tone was teasing, she knew the battle had been lost.
Blythe would have to hold on a little longer.
