Monsters by Sharon Dogar

Author:Sharon Dogar
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd
Published: 2019-08-01T16:00:00+00:00

8TH JANUARY 1815: 2 NELSON SQUARE

Almost as soon as Claire and Bysshe leave the house, Hogg arrives. Mary suppresses a wave of irritation at the sight of him; sure that Bysshe has let him know that she will be at home alone.

‘I have brought the newspaper,’ he says, holding it out to her, an offering. As ever Mary is torn between irritation and affection as she takes it. ‘I was thinking that it might be helpful to me if we might also read some Shakespeare together,’ he suggests. ‘I have not been well versed in literature.’

Mary nods; she enjoys teaching, but really she would prefer having the house to herself whilst she reads the newspaper. ‘Could you possibly pick up some tea for us, Jefferson?’ she asks. ‘I find I have a craving for it!’ Hogg is immediately solicitous, and leaves the house vowing to be back as soon as he can. Mary picks up the newspaper and sinks into a chair. It is still a delight to have comfortable furniture.

She turns a page and is immediately drawn to the name of Shelley. At first she cannot quite believe what she is reading. Why have they not been told? She feels a growing sense of both anger and hope as she rereads the notice: Sir Bysshe Shelley died 7th January.

She reads it again. And again. She stands and walks up and down the room, staring out of the window, searching for Hogg, or Bysshe and Claire. Bysshe’s grandfather is dead! If it is true, if she has read it right, then their financial difficulty is over. The estate might pay off the bailiffs. Bysshe will inherit his half of the estate, his father the other. She holds the newspaper tight in her hands, looking at it as she strides up and down the room, holding it close and questioning whether it can really be true.

She is at the window, beckoning with it, as Hogg comes up the street, walking fast with the packet of tea in his hands. She waves at him and he begins to run.

‘Hogg! Jefferson,’ she says in her haste, ‘read this. Tell me what it says. Tell me that there is no mistake!’

Hogg holds the newspaper and reads. ‘Sir Bysshe is dead!’ he cries. ‘Shelley’s grandfather is gone!’

‘You knew him?’ asks Mary.

‘Yes! He was a man like Bysshe who never cared for convention!’

‘And he has entailed the estate to Bysshe and his father,’ Mary adds anxiously. Oh, to never be hungry again. To be able to move again. To have a servant. To be able to write freely because she can relax, with no fear of the bailiffs.

‘Yes!’ says Hogg, ‘Sir Timothy and Bysshe might have to assert their right, for his grandfather has two families; but it was made clear by his brother, who originally left his money to Sir Bysshe that his intention was that—’

Oh, Jeff,’ cries Mary. ‘I don’t need every single detail. Will we have the money?’

He throws the paper down. ‘It

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