Free An Unlamented Death: A Mystery Set in Georgian England (Mysteries of Georgian Norfolk Book 1) by William Savage

food and drink, while Mrs. Brigstone bustled around Mr. Jempson. She found him a comfortable chair and then hurried to the kitchen for water to bathe his wounds and wash the dust from his face and hands.
    Since they were now alone, Adam examined his patient. As he expected, he found him badly bruised, but not seriously hurt. He gave him five drops of laudanum from his medicine chest to ease the pain. Then he sent him to his bed with a cup of warmed wine in which he had dissolved a little sugar with tincture of valerian and hops. The man needed sleep more than food. In contrast, Adam's own stomach was growling in the most insistent way.
    When, half an hour later, Mrs. Brigstone brought him a most welcome supper, Adam was content. Nor could he restrain himself from describing how he and Betty had put the footpads to flight.
    If he expected praise, he found himself disappointed. Mrs. Brigstone knew her master too well to indulge him in this self-congratulation. When he ended his tale, she looked at him a moment, then gave her verdict. ‘I am not surprised they ran off. They must have thought a madman was on the loose with a pistol. What sane person would risk staying?’
    Then she called out to Hannah to help her clear away the dishes and douse the candles. At the doorway, she paused for a moment. ‘It is time for your bed, master. Even heroes need their rest. You have done a brave deed. I only hope the other gentleman is as grateful as he should be for it.’
    And she was gone.

9
    Messages from Mrs. Ross
Wednesday, 9 May 1792, Aylsham, Norfolk
    A dam arose early the next morning, expecting to find Mr. Jempson still abed and possibly in need of his help to leave his bed. He was therefore surprised, on entering the small parlour, to see his guest already at the table, where Hannah had laid a plentiful breakfast.
    The merchant rose as he entered, but slowly and with several sharp intakes of breath. He had the look of one who suffered pain and sought, if he could, to cope stoically with the extent of his hurt.
    ‘I thought you would stay in bed, sir,’ Adam said. ‘You were sore hurt and it would be much to your benefit to rest as much as you can. I may, perhaps, be able to ease your pain somewhat, but healing is more a matter of time and patience than any skill I may have.’
    ‘I do not deny that my old body aches a great deal, friend,’ Mr. Jempson said. ‘Nor that it besought me to let it lie in idleness longer. Yet I have trespassed enough on thy great kindness and should be about my business with the small community of Friends in this town. I will manage well enough. I know of one who will stable my horse until I come again. I am also sure I will find some who will provide a carriage to get me back in safety to Norwich. Our religion is not kept for Sundays. When we see a brother or sister in need, our duty stands plain before us. Whatever help we can give we give freely, as our testimonies exhort us.’
    ‘I am ashamed to say that I have little knowledge of your religion, Mr. Jempson. Only what is commonly spread abroad: that all live and speak plainly and observe no ranks or hierarchies,’ Adam said. ‘In our imperfect world, many must find that an affront.’
    ‘Indeed so. In the past, our little movement has been persecuted most cruelly. Thus we have perforce learned well to avoid controversy and keep ourselves to ourselves for the most part. There are even some who would prevent marriage outside the Society, believing it essential to maintain the vision of our founders. I am not such a one, but I do not deny their honesty in their fears.’
    Adam nodded. In his own profession, there were those who so feared change that they would halt all progress and discovery. Happily, it was not possible. ‘You said you are a merchant, I believe?’
    ‘I am. We, like all those who stand apart from the Church of England, find the universities closed and the professions barred to us,’ Jempson replied. ‘We provide our