Death in St James's Park by Susanna Gregory Read Free Book Online Page A

controversial occupation.’
    ‘No,’ said Chaloner, although it occurred to him that there might be a link between the dead birds and an explosion near their guardian’s home. Or had he been in espionage too long, and was seeing connections where there were none?
    When Chaloner stood, his legs were like rubber. Temperance gripped his arm tightly, and continued to hold it long after he had regained his balance and her help was no longer needed. He glanced at her. She was wearing a wig of golden curls, which was far inferior to her own chestnut locks – or would have been had she not shaved them off in the interests of fashion – and her clothes were the best money could buy. Unfortunately, they failed to disguise the fact that she was a very large young woman, almost as tall as he, but considerably wider.
    However, she was positively petitecompared to Surgeon Wiseman, who was vast and added to his impressive bulk with a peculiar regime of lifting heavy weights each morning. He said it was to improve his general well-being, but it had given him the physique of a prize wrestler. Chaloner pitied his patients, not only because they would be powerless to fend him off once he had decided on a course of treatment, but because he liked to experiment and his massive form alone would intimidate his ailing charges into acquiescing to his unorthodox remedies.
    It was not just Wiseman’s size that made him an imposing figure, but the fact that he never wore any colour except red; even his hair was auburn, a thick mane that was the envy of wigmakers all over London. His detractors said it was to conceal the excessive amounts of blood he spilled during surgery, although Chaloner suspected it was just because he liked to be noticed.
    Chaloner’s feelings towards him were ambivalent. Like most sane men, he was wary of the medical profession, which was notorious for doing more harm than good. Moreover, Wiseman was arrogant, insensitive, overbearing and brash. On the other hand, he was principled, honest and loyal to those he considered worthy of his respect. At first, Chaloner had resisted his overtures of friendship, but he was beginning to yield, worn down by the surgeon’s dogged persistence.
    Wiseman grasped his shoulder and peered into his eyes. ‘Headache?’
    Chaloner nodded warily.
    ‘It will ease. You are fortunate – I thought you were dead when I saw you fly through the air.’
    Chaloner wondered whether Wiseman was as brusque with the King when he was unwell, and if so, why he continued to be employed at White Hall. Wiseman vigorously maintained that he was the best
medicus
in the country, but it was not an opinion shared by most of his colleagues.
    ‘How many dead?’ asked Temperance in a small voice.
    ‘Five,’ replied thesurgeon. ‘And a dozen injured. It would have been much worse if Chaloner had not yelled his warning.’ He shot the spy a suspicious glance. ‘I assume it was by chance that you happened to be here – that you had nothing to do with the blast?’
    Chaloner was offended that Wiseman should think he might play a role in perpetrating such an atrocity. ‘No, of course not. I came to visit Edward Storey.’
    ‘About the three dead ducks in St James’s Park?’ asked Temperance. She saw Chaloner’s surprise and hastened to explain. ‘It was mentioned at the club last night.’
    She was referring to the brothel – although she preferred the term ‘gentleman’s club’ – that she owned in Hercules’ Pillars Alley, an exclusive establishment that catered to the needs of the very wealthy. It was patronised by members of Court, and gossip overheard there had helped Chaloner with a number of investigations in the past.
    ‘Surely Clarendon has not ordered you to explore those?’ said Wiseman in disbelief. ‘How can he squander your talents on so trivial a matter?’
    ‘How indeed?’ murmured Chaloner.
    Temperance’s expression hardened. ‘I suppose that horrible Gery is given all the