Deadly Affair: A Georgian Historical Mystery (Alec Halsey Crimance) Read Free Page A

elbow and thrust him onto the nearest chair.
    Alec was at a loss to know how to alleviate the man’s suffering. Until a physician could be found, there was not much anyone could do but shuffle about helpless and uncomfortable. Sir Charles tried to put a tumbler of water to the vicar’s parched lips but it was to no avail. Blackwell, his once sallow complexion now bright pink, continued to gasp, unaware of his surroundings and unable to ask for help.
    Then, all at once, the convulsions ceased as suddenly as they had begun. There came a collective sigh from around the room. Blackwell was perfectly still, his bald head now minus its brown haired bobwig, bent forward as if in prayer. He gave one last great shuddering breath and promptly collapsed, face down, into the mess he had created.
    He was dead.
     
    “What a wretched end to the evening,” complained Lord George Stanton, refilling his port glass.
    No one spoke. No one had spoken for five minutes. This fatuous remark did little to endear the Duke’s stepson to his fellow guests. Sir Charles looked pained. He wished the physician would hurry along so his servants could clean up.
    The Turkey rugs would have to be replaced.
    Sir Charles was reminded of his duties as host when Viscount St. Edmunds summonsed up the courage to excuse himself; he would join the ladies in the drawing room. Sir Charles suggested that the rest of the gentlemen do likewise. There was no reason why they should remain in the dining room, and the ladies would be wondering at their prolonged absence. There was not a man who cared to disagree and they bolted through the open doorway, greatly relieved if still in shock. A good hanging was one thing, but to witness a dinner guest dropping dead over the port...Well! It was unspeakably distasteful and downright bad mannered.
    The butler took the initiative and sent a footman with a bowl of clean water and cloth to wipe the vomit from the leg of Alec’s black satin knee breeches and white-clocked stockings. Soft-footed servants quietly cleaned away the glasses and decanters, and the two strongest amongst their number were ready to assist in removing the body once the physician had confirmed the clergyman was indeed dead. Though why this was necessary now, with the man going cold on the rug, the butler was left to wonder at.
    Sir Charles seemed unaware he was not the only one left watching over the corpse, until the physician was ushered into the room and began his examination by directing questions to Alec. Sir Charles was quite content to let his friend recount events. Apart from finding the process repugnant, he lacked the energy to do anything but repine on the disastrous end to a dinner party that had held the promise of furthering his political ambitions.
    If only he could somehow hush up the whole ghastly business! He knew this for wishful thinking. For one thing, Lord George Stanton had the biggest mouth in town. By morning not only would the news have gone right through his club in St. James’s Street, but also in Parliament he would bear the brunt of the opposition’s twisted sense of humor. Just the sort of thing guaranteed to pour scorn on the many years spent carefully building up the vision of a trusted and worthy member of the government. He wondered in what light the Duke would view the whole sordid business.
    His mentor leaned in an opened window, unnoticed and silent. He seemed disinterested in the proceedings until the physician gave the nod for the servants to carry the corpse away, saying,
    “The poor fellow suffered a massive heart attack. Could’ve happened at any time.” He looked at Sir Charles, apologetically. “A pity it had to happen at one of your dinners, Sir Charles.”
    The Duke turned at this and Alec noted that the nobleman’s lined face had blanched as white as the froth of lace at his wrists.
    “It is your opinion that the Reverend Blackwell died of heart failure?” asked the Duke.
    The physician remained unmoved.