A Wedding In Springtime(13)
The coach stopped in front of Marchford house, saving Genie from trying to find a reply to such a speech. Genie followed her aunt out of the coach and silently mouthed the words “thank you” to Sam the groomsman, who gave her a small bow and mouthed the words “you’re welcome” in reply.
A hack pulled up behind their coach and a young woman hopped out of the conveyance unaided, reaching back inside to pull out a bandbox. The driver demanded his fare, and the woman put the bandbox down by her feet so she could pull out her coin purse. While her attention was so occupied, Genie noticed a small urchin sneaking up under the wheels of a hack.
Having helped raise two younger brothers, Genie was wary and, without a thought, stepped into the street around to the other side of the hack. The diminutive thief grabbed the bandbox and ducked back under the hack, where Genie, with the experience of grabbing errant children only an elder sister can have, neatly snatched the culprit by the arm.
The urchin hollered with ferocity and twisted savagely, but Genie’s experienced fingers held him fast. She marched the young thief, still holding the prized bandbox, around the hack and presented him to the woman.
“My bandbox!” exclaimed the woman. “Thank you, oh, you have no idea, thank you so much.” The young woman clutched the bandbox to her like a priceless treasure.
“Genie, what are you doing?” asked Aunt Cora, whose shocked expression dampened Genie’s triumph at having caught a thief. “Someone take hold of this vile thing and present him to the constable. He’ll soon find his end at the Old Bailey.”
The small child in Genie’s grasp stopped wiggling and looked up at her with wide eyes. She bent down to look the child in the eye. He was in desperate need of a bath, barefoot, and wearing clothes better suited for the trash heap. Whatever you did for one of the least of these… She recalled the verse from Matthew 25:40 about serving God by showing mercy to others.
“What is your name?” asked Genie.
The brown eyes grew wider still. “Jem,” whispered the child.
“Do you know that stealing is very wrong?”
“I jus’ does as he tells me.”
“Who tells you?” asked Genie.
“Please, miss, let go a’ me. Old Bailey will hang me sure for nickn’ the box.” A single tear ran a streak down the grimy boy’s face.
Genie shivered at the cold reality of the child’s words. Surely they would not hang a child for theft, yet London was an unfamiliar and harsh place. Her aunt was busy giving instructions to the groom to find the constable.
Genie surveyed the sniffling urchin, her sympathy heightened by the young thief’s pitiful condition. He must surely qualify as being the “least” of the entirety of London. “You must never steal again, Jem. You promise?”
“Aye, milady, I swear!”
“You are a good boy, Jem,” whispered Genie. “See to it you act like one. Now run!” Genie let go of the young miscreant who bolted across the street and disappeared into an alley.
“Oh, catch him, he’s getting away,” called her aunt.
“I’m sorry. He slipped away,” said Genie.
The groom gave chase but returned empty-handed.
“What a shame he could not be brought to justice,” said Lady Bremerton. She turned to walk up the stairs to the Marchford mansion, and both Genie and the young lady followed her.
“Are you also visiting the Duchess of Marchford?” Genie asked the lady with the bandbox.
“Yes,” she replied. “I am Penelope Rose.” She stood tall and had a direct look about her. Her hair was brown and pulled back into a serviceable knot. Her features were unremarkable, candid but plain. She wore a brown spencer over a blue gown, both of which were clean, neatly pressed, but lacking in fashion or adornment. The bandbox she held had clearly seen years of use. Her overall appearance was one of an efficient governess.
“Miss Rose?” Lady Bremerton turned and gave Penelope a critical glance. “So you are the companion. I see.”
Genie winced internally at her aunt’s superior tone.
“Yes, I met Her Grace yesterday,” said Penelope. She answered directly, without any hint at being cowed by Lady Bremerton’s attempted set-down.
Genie gave Penelope a smile. “I am Genie Talbot. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
They all were ushered into the house and their coats were taken by an efficient footman. An attempt was made to relieve Miss Rose of her bandbox, but she preferred to keep the box herself. Perhaps the near loss of the object left Miss Rose wary, or perhaps she had hidden something within of great value; Genie could only wonder as they were led to the drawing room by the formidable butler.