The Eternal Shadow

Chapter 20

XX

"What is he saying?"

Betty was about to go home for some much needed rest. She was gathering up her things when she noticed that Guy had gone from being as silent and unmovable as the dead to feverous, delirious and talkative.

Francesca was sitting beside him and had a better chance of hearing him but could not make out what he said for his voice was barely a whisper. For a moment there was silence as both strained to hear him.

"Well, he'll not be asking for any more wine that's for sure!" Lord Vaisey quipped as he entered the room startling all as he did so.

None of Guy's carers found the joke funny.

"Too soon?"

The dirty looks being directed at him from all sides answered his question. Vaisey shrugged their angry reactions off, thoroughly unbothered. He was in a good mood this evening: Simmons had been most helpful in answering his questions, so although the poisoner had gotten away, Vaisey had a few promising leads in the search and was confident he would find the culprit.

Betty had never liked Lord Vaisey and so departed forthwith. Jenkins, who felt much the same, kept his head down and busied himself with menial tasks. Francesca let go of Guy's hand but moved a little closer to him, feeling protective. Vaisey noticed this and it brought a sly smile to his lips.

"Good evening Lady Francesca, I was not aware that my right hand man was currently receiving visitors." Vaisey feigned surprise but wasn't in the least surprised to find her there.

"Good evening Lord Vaisey, I merely wished to check on Sir Guy, he took quite a fall yesterday evening." She kept her tone even but was nervous, her father had forbidden her to come here and Vaisey could betray her now.

"Yes, I hope there's no permanent damage done..." Vaisey was stalking along the other side of the bed, coming ever closer towards the stricken man upon it, "it would be a shame would it not if such a pretty face were to become scarred?" He punctuated the sentence by sliding his fingers over Guy's jaw, cupping his head in his hand and rubbing his thumb against his cheek. Francesca narrowed her eyes suspiciously at this comment, unsure of what disturbed her more; the way he at the spoke about Guy or how he touched him.

Guy stirred; he had been tossing and turning for some time, restless and murmuring. Francesca wanted to pull him towards her and out of Vaisey's grasp; she refrained from doing so but was happy to see the older man back off a few moments later to turn his attention to the other person in the room.

"How is the patient faring Jenkins? Can I expect him back in my service soon?"

"It's difficult to say. He's been very ill and is still in a bad way but as you can see, it's an improvement on this morning."

"And are you still going on about this poison nonsense?"

Francesca turned her head sharply; there was nothing nonsensical about it.

"Ah, you believe it too do you?" Despite what Vaisey privately believed on the matter, or what he'd learned from his enquiries, he was not about to admit to what he knew.

Francesca answered him with a question of her own: "You do not believe he was poisoned?"

"Well it's an interesting theory but a bit far-fetched for my liking." Vaisey smirked as if they were discussing something amusing.

Francesca's disbelieving glare said it all. "Far-fetched?"

"Yes. Far-fetched. So far-fetched in fact, that most people would think you mad for believing it." Vaisey moved slowly towards her as he spoke, his voice low and sinister, "and I don't think you would want people thinking you mad would you?" He was close now and were it not for the bed behind her and the man upon it, Francesca would be backing away from him and getting out of there.