Free Medium Dead: An Alexandra Gladstone Mystery by Paula Paul Page B

admitted to Montmarsh, but you must give me time to prepare my mother for the visit.”
    “I’m afraid I can’t allow that, my lord. You, being a barrister, should know that.”
    “Very well,” Nicholas said with some reluctance. He took Alexandra’s arm to help her stand and moved toward the door. “I’ll drive you home, Alexandra,” he said, then added over his shoulder to the constable, “I shall inform the staff to expect you later in the day.”
    “I’m coming with you now,” Snow said.
    Nicholas turned around to glare at Snow. “Indeed,” he said in a voice full of cold anger.
    “I shall meet you in the front of the building,” Snow said as he moved toward the back exit and the stable where his horse was kept ready to ride.
    Nicholas didn’t respond. He opened the door for Alexandra and led her toward the carriage.
    “I know you don’t relish going through this with Lady Forsythe,” Alexandra said as he helped her into the carriage. “I don’t blame you. It will upset her and likely make her ailment worse.”
    “But you will be there to help me calm her,” Nicholas said.
    “I regret that I can’t do that,” Alexandra replied. “I’ve been away from the surgery too long. I can’t possibly expect Nancy to continue to do everything on her own.”
    Nicholas waited until he had gone around to step into his side of the carriage to reply. Alexandra could see how worry had made his face look drawn as he took his seat beside her. “Nancy is quite capable, it seems to me,” he said.
    “For most things, yes. But it’s my duty to be there, as I’m sure you can see.”
    Nicholas said nothing. He sat staring down the narrow street, lined with ancient buildings that, over the years, had begun to lean forward like courtly giants bowing to one another. Finally, Snow appeared rounding the corner, mounted on his horse.
    “Lead the way, my lord,” Snow said.
    “We’ll be stopping at Dr. Gladstone’s surgery,” Nicholas said. “She must see that things are running smoothly there before she leaves her nurse alone any longer.”
    Snow’s mouth twitched slightly, and his face looked as if it was about to crumple with anger, but he quickly controlled it. “Very well,” he said. He had no other choice, since he wouldn’t be able to gain entrance to Montmarsh without Nicholas.
    “Thank you for agreeing to take me to my surgery,” Alexandra said once they were on their way, with Constable Snow following closely behind.
    “Of course,” Nicholas said. “Once you’ve spoken with Nancy and seen that everything is being handled properly, we’ll be on our way.”
    “But—”
    “Please, Alexandra. I can’t possibly handle my mother without you. Can’t you imagine what this is likely to do to her?”
    “I suspect Lady Forsythe is stronger than you think. You’ll both be able to handle everything quite well, I’m sure.”
    “You can’t be serious,” Nicholas said. “MaMa has never handled anything difficult well.”
    “Perhaps that’s only because she was never given the opportunity.”
    “What is that supposed to mean?” Nicholas asked, with a sideways glance in her direction.
    “She knows that if she pretends to be weak, you’ll give her what she wants.”
    “You’re saying she’s like a spoiled child?” Nicholas said with a dry laugh. “Well, I have to agree. She has her ways.”
    “Must you always give in to her, then?”
    Nicholas chuckled. “She has me well trained.”
    —
    When they arrived at Alexandra’s house, Nicholas helped her down from the carriage and walked her to the surgery entrance.
    “I’d ask you in,” Alexandra said as she opened the surgery door, “but there’d be no point. I can’t be a hostess now. I have to be a doctor. Hello, Nancy,” she added, when she saw her sitting in the surgery, winding bandages.
    “Of course I don’t expect you to be a hostess,” said Nicholas. “I’ll wait. In the carriage, if you prefer.”
    “Wait?”
    “I’m