An Unlamented Death: A Mystery Set in Georgian England (Mysteries of Georgian Norfolk Book 1) by William Savage Read Free Book Online Page B

vice. He loved gossip. About his love affairs he maintained the strictest discretion. No lady likes to find her matters of the heart spread around the town. For the rest, he was most assiduous in collecting information. Many in the town had found some reason to buy remedies, herbs or spices during the past week, so that they might glean some information about the mysterious death of Dr. Ross. Lassimer’s supplies of fresh gossip were now diminishing and he looked eagerly to Adam for ways to refresh them.
    ‘So…you have at last found time to visit your old friend,’ Lassimer said. ‘I thought you must have fled overseas to escape your reputation as the doctor who finds dead bodies, as well as producing them.’
    ‘Enough!’ Adam replied, laughing. ‘I must see to my business as much as you. Nor do I have the benefit of most of my customers coming to my place of work, as you do. In these country areas, those few who can afford a physician expect him to go to them. It matters not how wearisome the journey, nor how foul the roads may be.’
    ‘I hear you also spend your time infecting others with the pox.’
    ‘That, sir, would be you, though I know you are most careful inn such matters. I seek only to help them avoid the smallpox, as well you know. My services are much in demand in that regard. Its effects are too often mortal, as well as scarring those who survive. I think we should not joke about such matters. Until recent times, there was little any of us medical men could do when the disease struck.’
    Lassimer tried to look penitent, but his grin was never long away. ‘I also hear, my friend, that you have a number of new patients.’
    ‘The one who said that notoriety is no bar to success spoke truly,’ Adam replied. ‘Since chance brought me to play a small part in the discovery of the archdeacon, I have found people see consulting me as the best way to obtain information. Would you not agree that is a most disreputable mode of behaviour?’
    ‘In no way, sir, for I hope to employ it myself,’ Lassimer said. His total honesty about his motives made it impossible not to smile.
    ‘Then you must be disappointed, I fear. I have little more to relate, save that the inquest was a most odd affair. It seemed more concerned with preventing any enquiry into the man’s death than promoting one.’
    ‘You call that a little matter? Come, sit down in my parlour, take a glass of punch, and tell me all, leaving out not the smallest detail. I will close my shop for this. Anne! Bring us two glasses of punch at once.’ The servant clearly knew her master’s habits, for she had entered the room almost as he called, bearing a jug of punch and two glasses. Lassimer looked at her fondly.
    ‘Is Anne not a paragon amongst servants, Adam, as well as being the handsomest wench in the county?’
    ‘You will make the girl blush, Lassimer,’ Adam said, though he observed rather a look of pleasure on the young lady’s face than any embarrassment.
    ‘A becoming blush would only add the final crowning touch to your beauty, would it not, my dear? Yet I must with reluctance end my contemplation of your charms, for my old friend here has grave news to relate. Be off to your duties!’ As she turn away, he landed a resounding smack upon her rump, which brought forth a squeal. Whether of indignation or delight Adam could not tell.
    ‘One of these days your familiar ways will land you in serious trouble,’ Adam said, trying, with scant success, to look severe.
    ‘Nay, my friend’ Lassimer said. ‘I may be lecherous and pay more attention to the wenches than most, but I am no fool. I steal no man’s wife. I seduce no lady of virtue, whatever her age or status. I will not force myself upon any, or pay those who make a business of pleasing men. There are enough and to spare who will join with me in love’s pleasures of their own free will. Some are, perhaps, of lower station, but not all. Several widows of good fortune and