Pinch of Arsenic

Chapter 4

The sky eventually darkened, but Lavinia did not want to sleep. Her eyes begged for rest, but her heart could not allow her to relax, drenched in fear. The thought of being unconscious terrified her, even though she knew the household believed she was somewhere else.

Ansel also was pretty tired. He yawned after reviewing his notes and looked back at Lavinia whose lids drooped with red eyes.

"I think we should turn in for the day. Everyone has gone to sleep now and It's rather late."

"You're right." She sucked in a breath. "Will you be heading home now? You can stay here in a guest room, if you'd like."

"It may be best for me to sleep here should there be new developments."

New developments? She asked herself, Like me being murdered?

She did not want to sleep alone, but she could not just ask him to sleep in her room. The mere thought demanded outrage.

Despite that, Lavinia walked the detective to the guest room. With hesitation, she turned the door open, so he thanked her.

Before she could close the door, she began, "Actually..."

"Yes?"

"I know it's a terrible idea, so by any means, don't feel forced to accept. It's just that I really don't want to sleep alone in my room. It's not that I'm scared." She stopped. "I am scared. But please, it's okay if you don't want to. It's very improper, so-"

"My lady," he interrupted, "it's alright. I'll do it."

"Really?" She let out a breath of relief. "Thank you so much, Mr. Linton! I was rather terrified of sleeping alone, if I'm being honest."

If Ansel was being honest, he would admit that he did not see how his presence could provide such a sense of safety. He had the strength of a worm, but if that made her feel safe, he could not refuse.

They took the comforter from the guest room, and when they reached Lavinia's room, she opened the door slowly. They checked for any signs of danger but found none. With this, Ansel settled on the blue, tufted chaise, and Lavinia changed from nightgown to nightgown behind a screen for a semblance of cleanliness.

Despite the impropriety of effectively the entirety of their situation, there was little discomfort and tension. He took off his boots and when he laid on the chaise, his feet dangled off the end. Ansel sighed and simply covered himself with the comforter.

After changing, Lavinia locked the door and jammed a chair under the knob.

"Have you had cases like this one?" she asked as she walked back to her bed, "have you investigated an attempted murder?"

"I haven't," he began, "but I'm sure my father has."

"I had no idea my Aunt Holly was being abused so. Those bruises on her face were so dark."

Ansel's jaw dropped in disbelief, "My lady, she tried to kill you."

"I know." She still couldn't help but be slightly sympathetic. "But she was desperate."

"I- Lady Lavinia. Is that all you took from today? That doesn't justify what she did. There are thousands of other things your aunt could have done."

"I know, I know." Lavinia said, sitting up to look at Ansel.

Silence engulfed the room, so with nothing to distract her mind, Lavinia imagined every combination and permutation of her impending death. With no clue of who to fear and who to trust in her household, she held onto the semblance of safety in Ansel.