Page 19 of The Book of Lost Stories

Death or Dishonour

Simon immovably barred the way, his burning dark eyes fixed on her face. ‘Cicely,’ he said softly, ‘do not see me as your gaoler, but as your protector.’

Ravish’d by Cruel Fate by ORLANDO brOWNE

Thomas Grimshaw presented himself next day and gave her an accounting of her business affairs. He also returned, with an amused smile, the golden ornament that had been sewn into Letty’s stays.

‘My aunt was in a worry that I should be robbed of it on the way here, but of course, how should anyone know that I had any such thing about my person?’

‘Thank you. I suppose I must write to my grandfather and enquire whether it is indeed a Hartwood family heirloom that he would like returned to him. If so, I expect he will send a trusted servant for it, and that will be the end of the matter.’

‘It must be worth a great deal of money for the gold alone,’ Mr Grimshaw suggested.

‘I dare say, but I do not feel that it is mine to dispose of.’ Dismissing the matter, she turned to something that concerned her more: the sum they might receive for Ravish’d by Cruel Fate , when Letty had completed her task of copying it all out in a fair hand.

‘And I do not know what I would do without her, for my handwriting is such a scrawl that no one else could read it.’

‘She has told me your plans to set up house together, although she thought probably not in London.’

‘No, I do not think London life would suit me even if I could afford it, which evidently I cannot.’

‘Do you wish to see the house in Hans Town? It is not a modish area, but respectable. If you should decide to sell, the current tenants are keen to buy it.’

‘That would be very convenient. But first I will look over it, for curiosity’s sake, if for no other reason,’ she decided, and he arranged to take her there the very next day.

‘And Letty, too, if she wishes to come, Mr Grimshaw. But it is her holiday, so should she be otherwise engaged, I will understand.’

‘As to that, I believe Mr Puncheon, an old family friend, is to take her and my wife for an airing in Richmond Park tomorrow.’

‘Then tell her I do not expect her. Since we will not live there, it is not of any importance. I have written her a note, if you would be so kind as to take it to her, with this parcel.’

Miss Grimshaw’s wardrobe was also in need of replenishment, and Alys hoped she would like the materials she had chosen for her at the bazaar, which had been, as Nell had promised, a positive treasure trove of inexpensive haberdashery.

As soon as Mr Grimshaw had gone, Alys sat down and with some difficulty composed a letter to her grandfather, Mr Titus Hartwood.

Dear Sir,

You may be unaware that my father died last year and, after settling his affairs, I am at present making a brief stay in Town with my friend Mrs Rivers.

Although I have no wish to impose myself upon your notice, or that of your family, I would welcome the opportunity of returning to you an ancient and valuable golden medallion, which I think you have long wished to have restored to the family.

If this is indeed so, pray tell me how this may be accomplished.

She paused for a moment, read it through, then added her plain and unadorned signature.

It was short and to the point; he would probably send someone to collect the treasured object, and that would be the end of the matter.

Any further notice by her maternal relatives she neither expected nor sought, and thought it unlikely that they would even accord her a common bow in passing, should their paths ever cross.

*

Waking early next morning, Alys took Pug for a turn up and down the street, then set off, armed with a guidebook she had purchased the previous day, to look at the sights. Having just finished one novel, she thought she deserved a little holiday until she started the next.

She sent Sammy to fetch a hack, to his evident astonishment, and told the jarvey to take her to St Paul’s.

Although she knew that young ladies did not roam about Town alone, she thought herself well beyond the age of needing a chaperone for such excursions as this, but it was soon borne in on her that in London this was not the case.

Indeed, Nell was aghast when she walked into the breakfast parlour and told her where she had been.

‘St Paul’s Cathedral? Alone ? In a hack? But – you should not – it is not at all the thing! And why did you not send for the carriage, if you must go?’

‘I did not wish to cause any inconvenience, for it is clear to me, even after such a short stay, that no one of any quality rises early!’

‘Promise me you will take a maid with you next time.’

‘Oh, no. Only think how bored the poor creature would be.’

‘Then take Sammy.’

In the end Alys agreed to this. ‘And I dare say I will have seen all the most interesting things in a very few days, so you may be easy. The more fashionable parks and exhibitions I presume we will visit together.’

Later they parted company, Nell to her dressmaker and Alys to look over her house in Hans Town with Mr Grimshaw. She found it rather a narrow, mean and inelegant building and could not imagine living there, so was happy to come to an agreement with the tenants that they should purchase it.

‘And once that is done,’ Alys said, as they drove away, ‘I can buy a small property elsewhere.’

‘Do you have any idea yet where?’ asked Mr Grimshaw, who was rather amused by her, even though he would have been far from happy had his own wife exhibited such independent ways.

‘I had thought originally of some small spa town, for I should like to be within easy reach of libraries, shops and other entertainments. But now I find myself hankering after Yorkshire air again, so have wondered if the city of York itself might be the very place. I am sure there must be amusements enough there to please anyone, and we may come by coach to London in a trice.’

‘I could look into possible properties there for you, if you wish? The prices may well be more favourable than Bath or even Cheltenham.’

‘If you would be so kind. And the outskirts of the city, for I think it unlikely we will be able to afford to keep any kind of conveyance.’

So it was settled and he left her at the door of the Rivers’ house, well satisfied that everything was in train to establish herself and Letty in a snug little property in the near future.

*

When Harry Stavely paid a morning call, it was with some dismay that Alys observed the blush that mantled her friend’s cheeks and the slightly self-conscious way she greeted her visitor. Nell had looked pale and extinguished until that moment, but now she seemed lit by an inner glow.

‘Why, Miss Weston!’ he exclaimed, recognizing Alys.

‘Mr Stavely, we meet again,’ she said, glad she was wearing one of the pretty dresses that Nell had given her, rather than her shabby mourning.

‘I have the advantage of you, sir, for when I described my accident to Mrs Rivers, she told me who you were, while you must have had no idea that I would be making a stay with her.’

‘No, but it is a very pleasant surprise to find you here, I assure you. I trust you and your companion sustained no lasting shock to the system from your accident?’

‘No, I thank you, although Miss Grimshaw was a trifle bruised. Do you also make a stay in Town, Mr Stavely?’

‘Yes, with Lord Rayven. We are old campaigning friends, you know.’

‘But I do not suppose you go out early each morning in order to look at some bit of architecture or curiosity recommended by a guidebook, as Alys does,’ Nell said.

‘She is quite inexhaustible! Nor did I like her to go alone, although now my page goes with her, it does not present quite such a strange appearance.’

‘No, you should certainly not go alone, Miss Weston,’ Stavely said, looking quite shocked, for clearly he was a very serious young man. ‘Do you then have a taste for antiquities?’

‘I have an interest in everything new to me, antiquity or not.’

‘I believe you are a bluestocking, Miss Weston. Do you also have an interest in parties and balls, like other young ladies?’

‘I declare, Mr Stavely, you are unkind to tease Alys so,’ Nell cried. ‘Of course she is not a bluestocking!’

‘I fear I am not clever enough to be ranked with those august ladies,’ Alys said, ‘although I do not understand why it should be thought so undesirable in a woman to possess any great degree of understanding or intellect. I do not mean to pretend to be stupid just to conform to such idiotic notions.’

‘Er – quite,’ he agreed. ‘I can see that when Rayven described you as the most singular young lady of his acquaintance, he was telling only the truth.’

‘Did he indeed do so?’ asked Nell, intrigued.

‘I expect his lordship was merely exercising his strange sense of humour at my expense,’ Alys said calmly. ‘It was not meant as a compliment.’

They were interrupted by the arrival of a plump, middle-aged lady and her two rather plain but good-humoured daughters, and soon the conversation turned to lighter matters.

Lady Chibberly, who was very inquisitive, seated herself on the sofa next to Nell and enquired in a low voice, ‘Your friend, Miss Weston, means to make a long stay with you?’

‘Yes, I hope for the whole season.’

‘And what of her family? From where does she come?’

‘From Yorkshire, but her parents are dead.’

‘She is an heiress?’ Lady Chibberly asked eagerly, for she was also the mother of an adored but profligate son.

‘No, although Miss Weston has a small property, her means are modest.’

‘Oh … that is a pity, for since she is no longer in the first bloom of youth she will find it hard to get a husband without any fortune.’

‘She does not intend to marry, but means instead to retire from Town after this season and live quietly with a companion.’

Lady Chibberly looked surprised. ‘Not marry! But there is no need for her to give up all hope yet. She is not precisely beautiful, yet there is something very taking about her expression when she is animated.’