A Rational Proposal (Furze House Irregulars Book 1)(45)

“Which events?” asked Julia.

“Something about the terms of Uncle James’s legacy. Have you mentioned it to anyone, Julia? Lieutenant Neville was tiresomely attentive this evening, having never noticed my existence before.”

“No, we have only told Lilith, and she would not spread it around. How intriguing. Is the good lieutenant short of money, do you suppose? Peter Crisp says he does a great deal of card playing, not always for low stakes.”

“There is nothing good about him that I can see. Why do you look troubled?”

A shadow came into her friend’s eyes. “The saddest thing. Peter told me one of their number - Lieutenant Oaks, I do not know if you recall him - shot himself two days ago. Did you not notice the black bands they were all wearing?”

“I did not realise that was what they were for. How very dreadful. The poor man’s family. It falls to his superior officer to tell them, I suppose.”

“I do not envy him the task. How do you tell a young woman with two small children that she is now a widow? Also that there is no money for her, because her husband gambled it away and then took his own life rather than face up to what he had done? It does not bear thinking of. I am out of sorts, Verity. I should have come home when you did. I believe I will go to bed.”

“I too,” said Verity. But it was a long time before she slept.

“Were you wishful of a hackney, miss?”

Verity came out of her thoughts and looked up at the hackney carriage that had moved forward as she and Julia descended the steps of the house. “Oh, is it you, Mr Grimes? How very fortunate. Yes please, and how is your horse today?”

“Verity,” said Julia, enchanted. “You really do know the most delicious people.”

“This is Mr Grimes, Julia, who has driven me on a couple of occasions.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’ve a message for you, miss. From Molly. She says yes and gladly to your proposition, what was passed on by your sister. Just send her word and the address and she’ll pack ’em all up and make her way there.”

“Oh, that’s splendid. Molly Turner and her family are to come to Furze House, Julia.”

Fred Grimes had not yet finished. “And she has a bit of information your gentleman friend might be interested in if she’s right in her thinking, but it didn’t come from her.”

“Didn’t come from... Oh, oh, yes, I understand. What is it, please?”

“He’s to go to the Bridewell as soon as may be, and to ask for Susan Norris.”

“Susan Norris. Thank you. I will send him a note directly. I suppose the Bridewell is not a place my friend and I could visit, is it?”

Julia let out a shriek. Apparently not, then.

“Well,” said Fred Grimes doubtfully, “ladies do go around it sometimes, on a charitable basis like, or just to view the poor desperate souls, but it would have to be Mr Congreve ask the questions.”

“You know him?” asked Verity, surprised.

“We all know the ones who help poor folk, miss.”

“Very well, thank you for the message that I have no recollection of you giving me, and I will send Charles a note as soon as we return. Which drapers have I not yet visited, Mr Grimes? Suitable for a large house, but not with a large budget to spend?”

“I know the very place, miss. This large house, is it in the country like?”

“Yes. It is at Newmarket. It is where Molly was referring to.”

“Would there be a place in the stable for an old horse and groomsman? One who might do local deliveries if there was any call for it? There’s only me and the horse left now, and it’s powerful bad for me and the old girl here, isn’t it, lass?” He patted the horse’s flank.

“There is stabling, and a room over it,” said Verity. “That would be wonderful. Might you bring Molly and her mother and the children to save her some expense? It’s sixty miles though.”

“I was thinking of it, miss. Or follow on after with her bits and pieces. We could take it slow. What’s a sennight or two on the road when there’s a new life ahead? God bless you, miss.”

“This house of yours is going to be extraordinary,” said Julia as they set off. “I am almost tempted to invent a scandal so I must needs rusticate with you.”

“You can come for a visit without being embroiled in a scandal first,” pointed out Verity. “I am more concerned with getting Kitty there without her husband suspecting where she is.”

Julia looked thoughtful. “You will need to, for your mama will never consent to you living there without her otherwise.”

“I am still in hopes that she will give up this Kensington scheme and come too.”

“She did not seem to be giving it up when we went around the villa yesterday. She seemed enchanted by the whole idea.”

“That is true,” said Verity gloomily. “I quite thought Mr Tweedie would say she cannot afford it, but he was encouraging her. It is a nice house, but...”

“Too out of the way for me. I should never hear anything of any note. Why would Charles not come around it with us?”

Because he is avoiding me. She coloured. “Perhaps they cannot both be away from the chambers at the same time.” But that was nonsense, for they had come up to Newmarket together earlier this year to apprehend Jenny Prettyman’s cousin. “It would have done no good even if he had been there. Charles is as perplexed as I am about Mama.”