Chapter 37 – Helena and Haley

Dr. Stacks was an older man with a big heart and a pleasant voice, and he could talk to every patient at their level, from the youngest child to the grouchiest professor.

He was kneeling in front of Eleanor, inspecting her arms and gently probing around each wound.

“How have you been feeling, Lady Serrs?”

“Physically? I’ve been feeling well.”

The doctor smiled. “I’d ask about your mental health, but I’m no psychologist. Still, I suspect it’s been hard for you.”

“Yes.”

“Then I’m glad I can give you some good news. Your arms are healing beautifully, and there’s no sign of infection. I would like you to keep them wrapped until they’re completely scabbed over. After that, you only need the bandages if you can’t resist the urge to itch them.”

As he wrapped her arms again, he asked about her diet and cautioned her about getting plenty of rest. When he was done, he rose.

They were in Eleanor’s room. She had been writing when the doctor came in, and he insisted there was no reason to go somewhere else—“One chair’s as good as another for something like this.”

He said, “Call me immediately if there’s any unusual pain. Small twinges and aches are to be expected, but if you get a fever, or if there’s any weakness or tingling in your hands, let me know.”

“Yes, sir.”

“It’s been lovely working with you, Lady Serrs.” He bowed, then turned.

Helena was standing near the door, acting as a silent witness to the doctor’s instructions, in case Eleanor decided any of them weren’t important. Dr. Stacks crossed over to her.

“And how are you doing, Lady Serrs-Comtess?”

“Later, Doctor.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Then that’s everything.” He half turned to say, “I’ll be back in three days to check on you, Lady Serrs.” To Helena, he added, “And I’ll see you later.”

“Would you like me to see you out, Doctor?” Helena asked.

“Thank you, but I can find my way.”

After he left, the baroness came further into the room. “Shall we adjourn to the drawing room, or do you have other nefarious plans to carry out?”

“Not tonight.”

“How boring for you.”

“Not at all.” Eleanor stood up. “I have a wonderful book waiting for me.”

“Would you mind reading to me? I have sewing to do.”

“I would be delighted.”

They stopped by Helena’s room to grab her sewing bag. As they walked down the front stairs, they saw Taylor leading a man through the hall.

Eleanor skipped down a few steps when she recognized the dark hair. “Haley!”

The inspector turned and looked up. “Good evening, Lady Serrs.”

In her excitement, Eleanor had forgotten that her aunt and Taylor were there. She descended the rest of the way at a more sedate pace. “Good evening, Chief Inspector.”

Haley walked back to meet her. “I saw Dr. Stacks on my way in. Was he here to see you?”

“Yes.”

“May I ask how you’re doing?”

“He says everything’s healing well. I forgot you were coming over tonight.”

The inspector looked uncomfortable. “Yes. I have to talk to your father.”

“I understand.” Eleanor tried to come up with an excuse to get him on his own, but she couldn’t think of anything—especially with her aunt staring over her shoulder. “I’m sorry I detained you.”

“Not at all. I’m glad to hear you’re doing well.”

Haley turned and went back to Taylor, who’d been waiting to lead him to the study.

Eleanor felt a hand on her elbow. It was her aunt.

“Did you need to talk to him?” Helena asked.

“Is it so obvious?”

“I think if we leave the door to the drawing room open, Inspector Haley will stop in to wish us good night.”

“You think so?”

“If I saw that you wanted to talk to him, I have no doubt that he saw it as well. He’s distracted, not blind.” The baroness stared in the direction Haley had gone and muttered, “That’s the face of an honorable man ascending the scaffold.”

Helena turned and walked toward the drawing room. Eleanor followed.

“What do you mean?” Eleanor asked.

“It doesn’t matter. Come along.”

Lady Serrs-Comtess sat in the most comfortable chair, next to the brightest lamp, and worked on her sewing. Eleanor sat beside her, book in hand.

Eleanor tried to focus, but, that night, her normally smooth reading was punctuated by the occasional silence. Her voice waned while her ears strained to hear what was happening two rooms away. Every once in a while, the silence stretched on for so long, Helena had to prompt her to return to the story.

“Eleanor!”

“I’m sorry, Aunt Helena.”

“The door is open. Unless Inspector Haley decides to sneak out the back, we will see him.”

“I know.”

Helena took off her reading glasses and peered at her niece. “But that’s not what’s bothering you.”

“No.”

“Will you tell me?”

Eleanor closed the book over her finger. “I’m worried about Father. He isn’t himself.”

“Because he isn’t yelling? Your father has a great deal of respect for the inspector. I don’t think he’s going to shout at him.”

“He does?”

Eleanor had assumed the lack of shouting was because Haley was only asking questions, which rarely upset the duke unless he was already angry; it hadn’t occurred to her that there was something about Haley himself that was curtailing the rage.

Helena replaced her glasses and lifted her sewing. “Chief Inspector Haley has been a rock throughout this whole trying situation. He’s a capable policeman, and he knows how to handle Erravold when reason and a cool head are called for.”

Eleanor thought back to the morning when her father had sent away the reporters. What had Haley said to him?

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

More importantly, would he give her lessons?

Helena went on, “And when you were abducted, he brought you safely home to us. That counts for a lot.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“But you still look worried.”

“I talked to Father yesterday. He sounded so sad and thoughtful.”

There was a short silence.

“This was yesterday?” Helena asked.

“Yes.”

“There’s been a lot of bad news lately, Eleanor. Let him be sad, and let him be thoughtful. It’s probably good for him.”

A shadow moved into the light on the floor. The baroness took off her glasses again and looked up to see Haley standing in the doorway.

“Chief Inspector.”

“Milady.”

“You’re done with my brother?”

“Yes. I wanted to wish you two ladies good night before I left.”

“Inspector, you look tired.”

Haley rubbed his forehead. “It’s been a rough few days.”

“Eleanor was about to get our evening cocoa. Would you care to join us?”

“Milady, I’m not sure that the duke—”

“I doubt Erravold will take exception to the people I invite to stay, no matter how upset he may be, but if he does, he can take it up with me.”

“But—”

“If you stay, it will give me a chance to ask you a few questions. Would you prefer cocoa or a tisane?”

The inspector decided he was too tired to fight the inevitable. He came in and sat down next to them. “Tisane please.”

Helena nodded to Eleanor, who excused herself and went to prepare the drinks. Haley’s eyes followed her as she left the room.

“She’s a good girl,” Helena said.

“I know,” Haley admitted. “I feel bad for her.”

“It has been difficult, but she’s strong. I think she’ll be all right.”

“Do you?”

“In time.” In a more subdued voice, Lady Serrs-Comtess added, “Though I do worry about her. She’s always there for others. Sometimes I wonder who’ll be there for her.” Helena put her glasses back on. “Inspector, before I forget, please give my regards to your father.”

Haley stared at the baroness in surprise. Her sharp eyes peered at him over the rim of her spectacles. They returned to her sewing at the same time the edges of her lips turned up.

She finished by saying, “He’s an old friend of mine.”

“Did Lady Serrs tell you?”

Helena lowered her project. “Eleanor tends to keep her own counsel. I wasn’t aware that she knew—that’s why I said it while she was gone. Did you tell her?”

“Penn told her I was half French.”

“And of course she would have questions. That girl is too curious again by half.” Lady Serrs-Comtess raised her sewing and finished pulling the thread through the stitch. “A background like yours must be a boon to your profession. You know how to talk to the titles, and you aren’t intimidated by them.”

“It helps in some cases.”

“No doubt it helps in this one. Not many people would be willing to stand in front of Erravold Aubrey-Serrs and ask him if he committed murder.”