The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber Read Free Book Online Page B

cramped painfully at the comment. I suspected that if I hadn’t already
     emptied my stomach all over the chapel cellar floor, I would have vomited.
    “Are you saying that Sir Anthony actually admitted to you that his wife took part
     in his dissections?” Gage asked incredulously.
    Lord Westlock’s gaze darted to mine and then back to Gage. “Well, I didn’t take him
     seriously at the time. He was rather deep in his cups. I thought maybe he was speaking
     in metaphors.”
    Gage’s hardened gaze searched mine out, and I struggled to meet it. I couldn’t believe
     Sir Anthony had actually bragged about the emotional detachment and stoicism he had
     forced upon me. Hadn’t he seen the torment beneath my feigned reserve? Or had he just
     not cared? A familiar ache started in my chest upon realizing I already knew it was
     the latter. He hadn’t cared. He had been selfish and cruel, and as long as he got
     what he wanted from me, that was all that mattered. It was no wonder I’d buried myself
     in my art. It was all that kept me sane.
    I glared at Gage, daring him to believe the damning character reference Lord Westlock
     had relayed about me. He certainly wouldn’t be the first to believe the worst of me,
     and I was sure he wouldn’t be the last.
    My head pounded furiously, and I dropped my gaze, too distracted by the pain to continue
     this ridiculous standoff. If Gage was stupid enough to take my late husband’s words
     as fact, then he was an even bigger fool than I had initially believed.
    I heard him shift and sigh in annoyance. “So you’re telling me you had nothing to
     do with Lady Godwin’s murder?” he asked, continuing his questioning of Lord Westlock.
     “You weren’t following us to hinder my investigation?”
    The baron’s eyes widened in horror. “No! I would never . . .” he spluttered. “Why,
     I was with Lord Darlington in the billiards room after dinner, when the body was found.
     You can ask him.”
    Gage slowly lowered his gun. “You can be certain I will.”
    Lord Westlock huffed in indignation, but his ire was tempered by the wariness in his
     gaze. He was clearly aware that Gage held all the power in their current situation.
    Gage’s eyes crinkled in concern as he knelt down beside where I slumped against the
     wall, but there was also a wintriness that had not been there before we left the chapel.
     I closed my eyes and allowed him to lightly touch the back of my head, trying not
     to feel betrayed by the evidence of his renewed suspicion of me.
    “Well, you definitely have a sizable lump, but you were right. I don’t think it’s
     bleeding. It appears you have a hard head, Lady Darby. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised
     by that.”
    I blinked open my eyes to see his grim smile.
    “Do you think you can walk?”
    “Yes.”
    He helped me to my feet and wrapped an arm around my waist for support. I would have
     pulled away if I thought I could have made it on my own. Then he tucked his pistol
     back into his waistband and reached for the lantern. “Lord Westlock, if you please.”
     Gage nodded down the hall, indicating that the baron should walk in front of us.
    Lord Westlock climbed to his feet, cradling his left arm in front of him. “What were
     you two doing in the chapel at this hour of night anyway?”
    I stiffened, wondering what Gage would tell him.
    He narrowed his eyes and his voice turned hard. “Lord Cromarty explained that I would
     be conducting an inquiry. My methods are my own.”
    “But surely the other guests would not approve of Lady Darby assisting you.”
    “Then they don’t need to know she’s assisting me, do they?” The dangerous look in
     Gage’s eye, though it wasn’t focused on me, was enough to make the breath stutter
     in my chest. It appeared to have the same effect on Lord Westlock, who swallowed and
     nodded.
    “Then, if you would.” Gage nodded in front of us once again, urging the baron to move
     forward.
    I leaned against