A Rational Proposal (Furze House Irregulars Book 1)(21)

“Are you simple, miss? For stealing that there handkerchief.”

“But this is my own. I gave it to him. See - there are my initials. He appears to have nothing else on him.”

The shop assistant glowered and relaxed his hold on the boy. “Then you’re lucky this time. I’ll have you though. I’ll have you. What have you done with it, eh? There’s one missing from my pile.”

Further along in the shop a voice said, “Here is a handkerchief. Here on the floor.”

“There,” said the assistant triumphantly. “What did I tell you. He dropped it when I spotted him. Come along with me, my lad. I can’t sell it now, so I’ll have the cost out of your hide.”

“I do not think you can prove that,” said Verity, wrinkling her brow earnestly. “Why, anyone might have knocked it off your counter. I might have done so myself while I was looking at them. To be sure it is a little dusty, but it is nothing that will not shake out.”

“Dusty and crumpled. It’ll need cleaning before it’s... Oi, you little...” The child had seen his chance, jerked free and escaped. The assistant looked after him sourly. “He’ll be back. I’ll get him next time. The sooner that one’s in the colonies the better.”

“I daresay he was alarmed by the noise,” said Verity. “Now then, how much will you reduce this handkerchief by? Having given mine away, I find myself without one. Shall we say fourpence if you are so sure it is ruined? I require black-edged handkerchiefs also. What do you have, please?”

The jarvey was waiting with Bridget when she emerged. They returned home and true to her promise, she wrote a note for him and asked the footman to give directions to the stable. She removed her bonnet and went upstairs to rouse Julia feeling very thoughtful.

“Good morning, Julia, I have asked for hot chocolate to be sent up. Do you wish me to read Lieutenant Neville’s note or have you burnt it already?”

“Go away and let me sleep, Verity.”

“Certainly not. I want to talk to you. Really, Julia, whatever are you doing?”

Julia wriggled upright and reached for her wrapper. “Saving Peter Crisp from ruin, as I promised his sister I would. You are a nuisance. I now owe Lilith sixpence. I thought it would take you a week to find out.”

“That is your own fault. You should have more faith in me. Talk.”

“It was at the Cattsons’ house party in June, I’m sure I told you of it because we came back from Shropshire via Newmarket on purpose to see you and persuade you both to London for a visit. Mary Cattson was very nearly involved in a scandal but her father paid the man off and apart from a little speculation amongst the house party when Mr North was found to have suddenly departed, it all came to nothing. Indeed there was more concern over the absence of the girl who brought the hot water up in the morning than there was over Mary. Everything was smoothed over most satisfactorily.”

“And nobody knew but you,” said Verity, “because you always do know all the goings on, even in a large house.”

“People are interesting,” said Julia simply. “Poor Mary. Mr North was so charming and with such an air, it was easy to see why he turned her head. The alliance would never have done though, for he was far older than her and not rich, I think.”

“Where does Lieutenant Crisp come into it? You didn’t mention him to me in June.”

“Oh, nowhere. It was simply that Sukie Crisp was also at the house party. She told me her brother’s regiment was now back from Europe, but she was worried, because from the tone of his letters, Peter seemed to have got in with a rogue set of officers. His company was due to move shortly to London, so I said I would do my best to run across him and turn his thoughts in a different direction.”

“You have evidently succeeded. Very laudable, but he is a younger son, is he not? What were you planning to do when the poor man, who I daresay has only his pay to support him, declared himself hopelessly in love with you? It has happened before, remember? I still remember the haberdashery assistant serenading you under our window at school. And the dancing master threatening to suicide himself in that dramatic French fashion of his.”

Julia smiled nostalgically. “Happy days. But I was young and giddy then and know very much better now how little it takes to encourage the foolish creatures. I will tell Peter I am very fond of him, but firstly I have no money, and secondly my heart is unswervingly fixed on another.”

“And him so besotted, he’d believe you. What of Lieutenant Neville? How does he figure in this pretty scenario?”

“He is the rogue influence. I have not yet discovered his intent.”

Verity raised her eyebrows. “Julia, I have not seen him above twice and should have said his intent was obvious to the meanest intelligence.”

A faint blush spread over her friend’s countenance. “I am not yet so bored as to be lost to reason, Verity.” She reached across to rummage in her reticule. “Here is his note.”

Verity unfolded the scrap of paper. “Park. Two pm. How very enigmatic. Do you intend to meet him?”

“Naturally not. That would be the height of foolishness.”

“This is a dangerous game you are playing.”

“I said I was bored. Drink your chocolate and then let me bathe and dress in peace. Mama and I are bidden to my great-aunt today. It will be enormously tedious, but she was kind to Mama in her younger days and these visits must be made. You and your mother can amuse yourselves, I daresay?”