Part 10 (2/2)

Automatically, I took the confectionary she held out to me, so I was still grasping it in my hand when I arrived breathless and flushed, after several wrong turns, in the main entrance. I turned about me wildly and headed towards the main staircase. On it, descending, I met Bertram, his face streaming with tears.

*Oh, Euphemia,' he said. *She's dead.'

Chapter Seven.

Visiting Mr Edward

Poor Mrs Wilson. A wave of guilt swept over me. I had on more than one occasion wished she did not exist in my life, but I hoped I had never wished her dead. And in such a way.

*Euphemia, did you hear what I said? She's dead?' Bertram's voice broke. His face was as forlorn as Little Joe's had been when his first pet died. Bertram was still two steps above me on the staircase leaving me with a dilemma. I could hardly approach and comfort him. I certainly couldn't push past him and, even if he had the remaining sense to follow me downstairs, we could hardly conclude this conversation in a public place.

*I'm very sorry,' I said. *Perhaps we should ...' I attempted to indicate that we should return upstairs to our rooms.

*But what do I do?'

*I imagine the right thing to do would be to return home at once.'

*But she's up there ...' He faltered and looked up the stairs.

*Dear G.o.d!' I exclaimed. *You can't ... You don't mean Miss Wilton! I thought you meant Mrs Wilson.'

*Why would I care about that old harridan?' said Bertram with more truth than charity. *My poor Beatrice. It has all been too much for her. I found her just now lying in her boudoir no longer breathing.'

*Has a doctor been sent for?' I asked.

Bertram shook his head. *She's dead.'

*It is not always that simple to tell if life is extinguished.' I turned and ran down the stairs to the concierge.

*'Allo,miss. Did you enjoy the show?'

*George, something terrible has happened,' I said in a low voice. *My a the honourable Mr Bertram Stapleford has this moment found Miss Wilton unmoving in her suite. He fears she is dead. Can you send for a doctor at once?'

George's eyes flashed me a look of sharp intelligence. *I should be able to do better than that, miss. The doctor what she sent for is on his way.'

*The doctor what she a that she sent for?' I turned to Bertram, who was now standing behind me. *I thought the doctor had already visited her.'

*That's what she said,' answered Bertram.

*Our man's a Dr Smith. Right good 'un, but very busy. If I'd realised it was so urgent I'd have chased him up.' The concierge looked quite dismayed.

*She had a weak heart,' I explained.

*It could have happened any time,' said Bertram. *It's one of the reasons she lived her life as she did. Running at it. She always knew she might not have enough ...' He swallowed noisily.

*Why that's tragic, sir. Why don't I find you a nice quiet corner and a large gla.s.s of something? We'll get that doctor here toutey sweet. Maybe the young lady's right a maybe it's only a deep sleep or coma sort of a thing.'

He ushered Bertram away, calling to a bellboy to round up Dr Smith and left me waiting at the desk. He was back a few moments later.

*Would you be willing to come up to her room with me, miss?'

*Of course,' I said. Though my father had tried to s.h.i.+eld me of necessity I had come into contact with more than one corpse as a vicar's daughter. And since becoming part of the Stapleford household it would be somewhat of a relief to encounter a natural death.

*It's not like I think there's anything strange going on, but in these circ.u.mstances we 'ave procedures to follow. I should ask the duty manager, but he's on his break.'

*Procedures?' I asked alarmed.

*I need to lock the door. Many of our visitors have travelled widely and there's some nasty things they've brought back. 'Ad she been abroad lately?'

*No, I don't think so. Do many people die in the hotel?'

*All the time,' said the concierge with a twinkle. *Place is only slightly less dangerous than a hospital.'

*What? Oh, I see what you mean. People only go to hospital when they're sick. But the guests?'

*Often old ladies, retired gents, and those that 'ave picked up something nasty. Sheer numbers of people what come through here there's bound to be a dead body every now and then.' He stopped outside her door. *'Ere, you weren't close to this young lady, were you, miss? Only I didn't get that impression. I'm usually good at reading people, but you know no matter how many times it happens on your watch it rattles you a bit. I 'ope I 'aven't been inappropriate, like?'

I shook my head. *We were not friends. I would not have wished her dead, but I can't say I am in any way as distressed as Mr Stapleford.'

*Aye, I can see he had a right fancy for her. But as they say what's for ye won't go by ye.' He slipped the key into the lock. It didn't turn. *Seems like the poor young lady did my job for me before she died.' He shrugged. *There's many can only rest behind a locked door.'

*But shouldn't we check if she is still alive?'

*Do you have any medical training, miss?'

*No,' I said and only just stopped myself from saying, but I have considerable experience with dead bodies.

*Then I doubt there is anything you could do for the lady.'

*But what if she's dying! Alone?'

*Mr Stapleford has reported her dead,' said George. *That's good enough for me.'

*Let me go in,' I urged. *Just to be sure.'

George squared up to me. *No, we don't know what she died of. You're not sure if she's been abroad and I'm betting you have no idea if she's been in contact with someone who has, so I'm putting me foot down. It's a tragedy, but your death would only back it doubly so.'

*I'm sure you're exaggerating,' I said.

*Oh, the tales I could tell you. You'd s.h.i.+ver your skin right off your bones.'

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