Authors: Connie Brockway
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #General, #Regency
That is not strictly true, Mrs. Poole, Elliot said calmly.
By her own admission, Miss Potts has used and altered Lady Agatha Whytes
clothing and, again by her own admission, doubts whether Lady Agatha shall ever
be able to use those garments again. Unless, he scowled at the notes hed
taken, Lady Agatha suddenly develops a bosom and shrinks three inches.
Snickers of laughter erupted in the room.
But Grace was not to be so easily quieted. I said, Sir
Elliot, no crime had been committed against anyone what was
in
Little
Bidewell.
Strictly speaking, sir, Lady Agatha aint here to make no
complaint against Miss Potts, and since she aint a citizen of this town, I dont
see as how its our duty to do it for her. Besides which, she sniffed audibly,
if Lady Agatha had been doin
er
job, what the Bigglesworths hired her
to do, we wouldnt be having this hearing in the first place now, would we?
At this the snickers turned into outright laughter. Someone
from the back shouted, You tell em, Grade!, which caused the housekeeper to
go beet-red to the roots of her improbably black hair and beam with delight.
I should hate to stand across from you in a court of law,
Mrs. Poole, Elliot said.
No chance of that as long as we women cant vote, now is
there? Grace shot back.
Oh, no! Constable Burns shouted. None of that suffrage
claptrap here. Not now, Grace, or Ill arrest you for disturbin the peace.
Wouldnt be the first time, Grace muttered flatly, inciting
another peal of laughter.
Letty looked around in stunned confusion. Where was their
animosity, their sense of betrayal? The whole proceeding was taking on the
aspects of light entertainment. They
must
want her to pay for her
crimes.
She frowned, baffled and uneasy. A slow warmth was unfurling
deep within her. She distrusted it, feared it. People were never so ready to
forgive. Shed spent four days trying to get used to the idea of prison: cold,
drafty rooms; gray uniforms; no music; no laughter. No Elliot.
Quiet down, Elliot called. Mrs. Grace Poole has a point.
Does anyone here wish to bring a complaint against Letty Potts and act on Lady
Agathas behalf?
Eglantyne Bigglesworth cleared her throat and slowly rose to
her feet. It was a monumental act of bravery for a woman so naturally reticent,
and the laughter died away as everyone strained to hear her.
I rather think the point is that Miss Potts has
already
acted
on Lady Agathas behalf.
Several people nodded thoughtfully.
Lady Agatha had left us, as Mrs. Poole pointed out and as
Miss Potts would so colorfully phrase it, in the lurch. Miss Potts, as Colonel
Vance would so picturesquely put it, leapt into the breach.
Letty felt the corners of her mouth lift. The darling would
never make a playwright, not with mixing metaphors like that.
She has done all the work we asked of Lady Agatha and she
hasnt been paid a red farthing for her efforts. Regardless of whether you make
Miss Potts stand trial or not, I believe we owe her our thanks.
And
Lady
Agathas fee.
Letty gasped. Behind her Dorothy Himplerump gasped, too. Grace
and Merry cheered. Anton puffed out his cheeks and said, Good show, Eggie.
Angela stood up and linked her arm through her aunts. I owe
Miss Potts far more than my thanks, Angela continued. Behind her Letty heard
Mrs. Dorothy Himplerump gulp anxiously. She has become my friend. She has
offered me invaluable advice and aid. And if you do charge her with some
ridiculous crime, Sir Elliot, I shall personally see that she has the finest
counsel in England represent her.
Elliot arched a brow, considering the girl a moment before
releasing her from his gaze. Anyone else care to comment?
Colonel Vance chose that moment to awaken. His cane clattered
from his lap to the floor and his head snapped upright. He blinked, looking
around and scowling. Spying his daughter beside him, he shouted, Whats
happened? Whats going on with the girl who used to be Lady Agatha?
Nothing, Father, Elizabeth replied loudly. Theyre still
deciding.
Deciding what, for Gods sake?
If shes a criminal! Elizabeth shouted back.
Well, of course, she aint. She gave me a strawberry trifle,
didnt she? What criminal gives a fellow a cake? he said with such profound
disgust that no one could help but smile. Including Letty.
They were the kindest, most generous people in the world. But
she couldnt allow them to forgive her so easily. She deserved punishment.
Perhaps she needed it. She cleared her throat, but before she could speak,
Atticus March did.
Well said, Colonel. He struggled painfully to his feet. If
I might speak, Elliot?
Elliot nodded, watching his father closely.
It seems to me we have a twofold problem here, Atticus said.
The first, whether Miss Potts has committed a crime for which it is Elliots duty
to charge her, seems to be resolved. No one wants to press charges, and in
light of Miss Pottss efforts toward Miss Angela in Lady Agathas stead, there
is some question as to whether it is even ethical to do so. I believe we all
agree it is not.
The crowd rumbled with sounds of concurrence. Except for
Catherine Bunting, who remained silent. Letty stared ahead, dazed by their
magnanimity.
The second problem is a bit trickier. It involves scandal.
The voices abruptly died away. In little over a month, a large number of
Londoners will arrive in Little Bidewell. They will be here only a short time,
a week or so, and then they will be gone. They will take our Angela with them
when they go, our daughter, niece, and friend.
Angela lowered her eyes modestly.
I am sure we all want Angelas happiness.
Everyone nodded; every smile was tender with affection for the
pretty, sweet-natured girl. Even Kip Himplerump looked sentimental in a sulky
sort of way.
We all know that if these strangers ever hear about the
background of the woman who planned Angelas bridal party, if they ever hear
anything about her profession or where she came from, Angelas wedding ceremony
will be forever stained by scandal.
Grumbles and dark looks shot back and forth between the spectators,
as though everyone was already searching for the lout whod ratted out the
story of Angelas actress-
cum
-wedding planner.
We cant allow that, can we? Atticus waited a minute for the
shouts of no to die away. Now, if we arrest this poor girl, he gestured
toward Letty, and she is held over for trial, and possibly from there remanded
for the Session Courts, the story
will
leak out.
The spectators traded worried glances.
However, if she is
not
charged with any crime, I am
reasonably certain that we can keep the whole affair quiet.
Of course, Atticus said soberly, his gaze touching on every
person in the room, there is one small matter. If anyone should ask, which it
is very doubtful they will, we must all of us to a manand woman agree that
Miss Potts was here under Lady Agathas auspices.
Letty waited. She understood why it would be best if she wasnt
charged with a crime; she conceded that if there was a chance to save Angela
humiliation, it would be worth releasing a two-bit con artist.
But there wasnt a chance. They couldnt carry it off.
Letty knew far more about lies than they did. You needed to
keep them simple and you needed to let as few people in on them as possible.
There were upwards of fifty people in the room.
She stood up and said so in a clear, carrying voice.
Atticus regarded her politely as she explained the madness of
their plan, and then he waited just as politely for her to sit down again.
While Miss Pottss concern certainly does her credit Letty
moaned. They mustnt insist on attributing her with characteristics she didnt
own. she does not understand Society.
Now
that
was doing it a bit rough! Letty started to
stand up again but a sharp glance from Elliot put her grumbling softly back in
her chair.
Therell be scant chance of any one of us spending time in
lengthy conversations with the Marquis of Cottons friends and relatives.
Except for Paul and Catherine, of course. He nodded toward the Buntings. Most
of us wont speak to them at all. We need only keep mum for a few days, for a
few minutes at a time. I daresay we can pull that much off.
Of course, we can! Paul Bunting cried. But Atticus knew very
well who in the room could be counted Lettys friend and who her foe.
What do you think, Catherine? he asked, his gaze holding
hers. Can we remain mute for Angelas sake?
She was caught as neatly as a rabbit in a snare. Struggle
though she might, there was no way out. The smile on her face was stiff. Why,
of course we can, she said clearly and, just as clearly, For Angelas sake we
can do anything.
The others had added their voices of assent until the whole
room rang with their intention. Atticus turned back to where Elliot sat in
broody thoughtful-ness.
Well, Elliot, he said quietly. Whats it to be? Is Miss
Potts under arrest?
Elliot stood up. Letty trembled as he regarded her, afraid he
would release her, equally afraid he would not. She stood up and waited for his
judgment.
Miss Potts, you are free to go.
Dont try to turn a tragedy
into a musical.
MERRY BURST INTO THE MARCHES morning room, her white maids
cap askew and her eyes bulging. She be leavin on the noon train fer London!
Elliot rose from his seat at the breakfast table.
I got Ham ter drive me over, but you best hurry if youre
thinkin to stop er, Sir Elliot, sir.
Ring for Mrs. Nichols, if you please, Father, and have her
bring Merry a glass of water.
Atticus reached for the bell but Merry shook her head. Thank
you kindly, sir, but Ill be fine as soon as I catch me wind. I have to get
back and slow her down. She glared meaningfully at Elliot. And
you
had
best hurry. She has The Hat on! And with that pertinent bit of information,
she wheeled about and disappeared.
Atticus regarded his son worriedly. Hed no doubt that Elliot
loved Letty, and from what hed seen, she felt the same about Elliot. But
whether they could be brought to act upon their emotion was another thing
entirely.
Miss Potts is an uncommon sort of female, he said.
I am glad to have your opinion, Elliot replied.
Ah. Atticus nodded. Then you have given thought to Miss
Potts and her future.
Quite a bit, actually. Elliot watched him closely. She
probably ought to be in prison.
I imagine there are those who would take that view, Atticus
admitted.
I
am not one of them, Elliot said quite forcefully.
Oh? Neither am I.
Good, Elliot replied flatly, and then gave his sire a
half-smile. Im sorry.
His dark face set into naturally imperial lines. Father, I
love Letty. I have never loved a woman in the same way, and before you advise
me of the dangers of being intrigued by a woman because she has such a diverse
background from my own, let me assure you I have told myself the same thing
time and again.
Atticus hoped the poor, honest fool hadnt said as much to
Miss Potts. Being a woman of sensitivity she would
Its not true, Elliot said. I do not love her for what she
is, but for who she is.
And that is?
A smile of such extraordinary pleasure appeared on Elliots
lean countenance that Atticus drew a breath. Why, a woman who would give a
fellow a cake.
Letty placed the sheaf of papers on Eglantynes desk,
satisfied that the directions for the wedding festivities were as complete as
possible. She glanced at the wall clock. The London train left at noon. Until
then she could only pace and wait, memories of him standing at her shoulder and
whispering in her ear.
Where had he gone after yesterdays hearing? What was he
thinking? Did he regret making love to her? Would she ever see him again? If
she occasionally walked down past the House of Lords, would she ever see him
come out and catch a carriage, bound for a late-night dinner? With a lady? A
real lady?
Miss Potts?
Startled, Letty turned. Shed been so immersed in her thoughts
she hadnt heard Eglantyne enter. She was carrying Fagin.
Yes, Miss Eglantyne?
Eglantyne held Fagin out. Ive brought you Lambikins. I
gather, what with all the distractions and so forth, you forgot him. Her grave
expression clearly told what she thought of such an oversight.
His name is Fagin. At least thats what Ive always called
him. I suspect you might call him anything you like and eventually hed answer
to it. Hes a smart little beggar. She took a breath. And I didnt forget
him, Miss Eglantyne. He chose to stay.
The older womans eyes grew round.
He was never my pet, just a mate that shared the road for a
ways, is all. Never thought wed see the end of the line together, and looks
like I was right. She smiled at Eglantynes disbelief. Why should he go
searching about for what hes already found? Someone who loves him as much as
he loves her.
Oh, Miss Potts
Letty. Please.
Youre pulling my leg. Dogs cant love.
Letty shook her head. If theres one thing Ive learned in
the last few days, its that none of us can say who ought to love who, and if
its right or possible or proper. It just
is,
Miss Eglantyne. Love just
is.
Are you sure? Eglantyne asked, slowly withdrawing her arms.
Fagin relaxed, cradled against her thin chest.