The Sins of the Wolf - Anne Perry [129]
There was a sharp snap of attention in the court again. Three jurors who had relaxed suddenly sat upright. Someone in the gallery gave a little squeak and was instantly criticized.
“You showed her the medicine chest, Miss McDermot?”
“Aye, I did. I couldn’t know she was going to poison the poor soul!” There was anguish in her voice and her face looked on the brink of tears.
“Of course not, Miss McDermot,” Gilfeather said soothingly. “No one blames you for your quite innocent part in this. It was your duty to show her. You presumed her a good nurse who quite obviously had need to know her patient’s requirements and how to meet them. But the court has to be sure of precisely what happened. You did show her the medicine chest, and the vials in it, and you told her what they contained, and how and when to administer the dose?”
“Aye—I did.”
“Thank you. That is all, Miss McDermot.”
She made as if to leave, turning in the box to fumble her way down again.
Argyll rose to his feet.
“No … Miss McDermot. A few minutes of your time, if you please!”
She gasped, blushed scarlet, and turned back to face him, chin high, eyes terrified.
He smiled at her, and it only made it worse. She looked about to faint away.
“Miss McDermot,” he began softly, his voice like the growl of a sleeping bear. “Did you show Miss Latterly your mistress’s jewels?”
“Of course not! I’m not …” She stared at him wildly.
“Not a foolish woman,” he finished for her. “No, I had not thought you were. I imagine you would not dream of showing your mistress’s jewels to a relative stranger, or indeed to anyone. On the contrary, you would be most discreet about them, would you not?”
Gilfeather half rose. “My lord …”
“Yes, Mr. Gilfeather,” the judge said sharply. “I know what you are going to say. Mr. Argyll, you are leading the witness. Ask questions if you please, do not assume answers.”
“I apologize, my lord,” Argyll said with outward humility. “Now, Miss McDermot, please enlighten the court as to the duties of a good lady’s maid. What would your mistress have said had you shown her jewels, or any other of her valuable possessions, to anyone outside the family? Did she give you instructions on this matter?”
“No sir. It wouldn’t be necessary. No servant would do such a thing and expect to keep her position.”
“So you are quite certain you did not show the pearl brooch, or any other piece, to Miss Latterly?”
“Aye, I’m absolutely positive I did not. The mistress kept her jewelry in a case in her bedroom, not in the dressing room, sir. And I didn’t have a key to it.”
“Quite so. Thank you. I had not doubted you, Miss McDermot. I imagine the Farralines can afford to have the best servants in Edinburgh, and would not keep anyone who disregarded so basic a rule.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Now, this medicine cabinet. Please think very carefully, Miss McDermot. How many vials does this cabinet hold?”
“Twelve sir,” she said, staring at him warily.
“And each one is a separate and complete dose.”
“Aye sir, it is.”
“How are they laid out, Miss McDermot?”
“In two rows of six.”
“Side by side, one above the other, in two trays? Please describe it for us,” he instructed.
“One above the other, in the same tray … like … like two halves of a book … not like drawers,” she replied. Something of her anxiety seemed to lessen.
“I see. A very precise description. Do you have new vials each time the medicine is prescribed?”
“Oh no. That would be most wasteful. They are glass, with a stopper in. It is quite airtight.”
“I commend your thrift. So the apothecary refills the vials when the medicine is obtained?”
“Yes sir.”
“Especially for traveling?”
“Yes.”
“What about when Mrs. Farraline is at home?”
“It still comes from the apothecary separately, sir. It has to be very exact, or it could be”—she swallowed hard—“fatal, sir. But we have to add the liquid to make it palatable—at least …”
“I see, yes, that is quite clear. And this was a new supply, a full dozen vials for Mrs. Farraline to travel with?”
“Aye sir. If she