Ada & The Queen (The Woodhouse Series #3)

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

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*Woodhouse Residence, Belgravia/Buckingham Palace, Westminster*

Aggressive knocking echoed in Eaton Square from the front door of the Woodhouse Residence, awoke the sleeping inhabitants, late in the night.

"What in the world?" Emerson groaned from his sleep, Charlotte moaning for him to go sort it out as he got out of bed, pulling on his robe and slippers.

"Gideon!" He called Theodore peering down from the landing above.

"Forget Gideon! You get it!" Theodore hissed as he followed his brother down and Emerson groaned. As they reached the foyer, Gideon was awake, holding a lantern and in his night robe as he opened the front door.

Men in red coats stood on the other side and everyone froze.

"Lord Porthleven. Dr Woodhouse..." One of the men said they bowed their heads, Theodore and Emerson looking at each as they stepped, revealing a woman, dressed in a black cloak and hood which she dropped from her head. "We have an urgent request from the palace."

***

"Adelaide!" Florence ran into my room, jolting me awake, Cosette jumped up next to me from where she had fallen asleep.

"Florence! It is the middle of the night, so unless someone is dying..."

"Put on a robe and come downstairs right now!"

"Why?" I moaned, throwing myself back down as Cosette leapt off the bed to go for a wander.

"Because there are royal guards downstairs asking for you!"

I sat up instantly. "What?"

Florence grabbed my hand and threw my robe at me as I tied it up, pulling on my slippers as I followed her down the stairs.

I wanted to run back but my legs automatically dragged me down before I was in the guest living room on the ground floor. Theodore, Emerson and Charlotte were already present as I noticed a familiar face standing by the lit fireplace. "Lady Ely!"

I dropped into a curtsy as did Florence but the intimidating royal guards who were now behind us made me wary.

"Whatever it is, I did not do it..." I said simply as Emerson dropped his head and Theodore smirked.

Jane smiled, shaking her head. "You are not in trouble, dear. I just need your help." Jane sighed. "There has been...an incident at the palace and her Majesty has now locked herself away. She is refusing to eat and has refused company and we are, of course, very worried..."

I frowned, my arms crossed. "What kind of incident?"

"A death..." Jane admitted and I looked at my brothers. "One of the maids has committed...suicide...according to the court physician but her Majesty thinks otherwise..."

"So...why do you need me?"

"Her Majesty trusts you..."

I was flattered, looking at my family who seemed surprised by this revelation. "You must come to Buckingham Palace and talk to her. She will listen to you."

"Me?"

"Yes! You have to convince her there is no threat and she is safe..." Jane replied but I was not sure.