Regency Masquerade by Vera Loy

back, Francis had
tried to withdraw, several times in fact – it had been himself who had pursued
the friendship.  He felt suddenly a little uncomfortable, he did not normally
befriend such a young man, but Francis did not act young, he must surely be
older than he looked.  He could hardly ask him his age at this point!

 
    CHAPTER
SIX
     
    Meanwhile,
Frances had returned to the Pelican and was telling John that the Comte Duverne
was in London.
    He
looked simultaneously worried and relieved, “Well that’ll put an end to your
gallivanting about town at least!  You’ll have to stay here while he is in
London.”
    She
sighed rebelliously. “I could still go out as Diana Murray!” she said with
sudden inspiration.
    Her
servant rolled his eyes heavenwards.  He shook his head as he took her boots
out with him to clean, that was not even worth a reply!
    Frances
kept to her room for as long as she could bear it the next day, which was in
fact only until she remembered her arrangement to meet Harry Belmont for
shooting practice that afternoon.  Feeling only slightly guilty for worrying
John and keeping a careful eye out for the Comte she sallied forth to the
pistol gallery and spent an enjoyable hour or so with her newest friend.
    On
her return to the Pelican some hours later, she was met by the innkeeper’s
wife, wringing her hands and alternately excusing herself and foretelling
disaster.  The gentleman had seemed so respectable, foreign of course but she
had had no idea he was going to turn out to be a murderer so she had let him
sit in her best parlour to wait and then Sally had come screaming down the
passage and Will had raced straight up and found Mr Hopgood crumpled on the
floor as white and still as-
    At
this point the bewildered Frances realised something had happened to John.  She
grasped the woman’s arm, giving her a little shake, and begged her to tell her
quickly where he was and what had happened.  She looked up at her somewhat
affronted.
    “That’s
what I’ve been telling you sir!  He was struck down by this foreigner, white as
a sheet he was.  We’ve put ‘im to bed and sent Joe for the doctor.  Doctors
here now, you can go up and see ‘im if you’d like to.”
    “Yes
indeed” Frances followed Mrs Cobb up the stairs, she was still talking though
rather breathlessly as she climbed.  “Hit on the head, my Will says. And such a
fancy coat he had on too, I’d never have thought it.  What d’ye think he was
after sir? I couldn’t see anything missing from your room, not at a quick
glance that is. I’ll expect you’ll want to see for yourself.”  They reached the
door of John’s room which was next to Frances’ and entered after a soft knock.
    The
doctor, a middle-aged, harassed looking man with spectacles was just about to
take his leave.  He turned to face them questioningly, clutching his black
case.
    “How
is he doctor?’’ asked Frances anxiously.
    “Concussed
– not too badly I don’t think, but he’ll need to stay quietly in bed for about
a week and then take things easily for a while.  He’ll need nursing for the
first two or three days.  I can recommend someone if you like.  It will cost
you a few shillings but Mrs Brown is better than most.”
    “Thank
you doctor, I’d be very grateful,” Frances paid his fee and took down the name
and address of the nurse.  John was lying pale and still under the blankets but
the doctor assured her there was nothing she could do but let him rest. 
Frances arranged with Mrs Cobb to have the nurse fetched, then suggested they
go downstairs for a glass of sherry while she told her what had happened.
    It
appeared that a man had come to the inn just as dusk was falling and asked to
be directed to the room of Peter Francis.  Although he was foreign, he was so
well dressed and ever so politely spoken that she had felt no hesitation in
giving him the information.  She had put him in her best parlour to wait for
his return and