Jack, Knave and Fool by Alexander Bruce

Author:Alexander, Bruce [Alexander, Bruce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780786217984
Google: C42ObFPk1EUC
Amazon: 0425171205
Published: 1999-04-01T05:00:00+00:00

EIGHT

In Which We Receive

a Guest and an

Inquest Is Held

Because Lady Fielding saw the need to complete not only the list of prospective donors but also the model letter from which I was to write to each, we were somewhat late in setting off on our return visit to Half-Moon Passage. In truth, I felt somewhat ambivalent about making the trip with her. I realized, of course, that she could not comfortably make the trip alone, and I certainly saw the need for communication of some sort with the girl; nevertheless, I should have liked to have the opportunity to witness Mr. Trezavant’s inquest into the death of Lady Laningham; almost, I admit, would I have preferred it.

At last she did sweep into the room, dressed for the day, the completed list and exemplar in hand. She dropped the sheaf of papers down upon the kitchen table and blurted the briefest of instructions: “Write the letters complete but for my signature.”

“Yes, mum.”

“Now, Jeremy, let us be off to that den of iniquity.”

I trailed in her wake. Once under way at such urgent moments as this one, she seemed to cut through space like some proud, swift ship through water. There was no stopping her; only a fool would try.

And thus did she fly down the stairs at a perilous speed and sail down the long hall to the door, and out onto Bow Street.

“Jeremy,” she cried, as I caught up with her, “you must find us a hackney, for after I have made my visit to this girl, Clarissa, I will be off to the Magdalene. Make it clear to the driver that he must wait for me.”

What might have been an impossible task an hour or two earlier proved no trouble at all now that the morning was somewhat advanced. Standing idle the coach was, and the driver beside it. When I put to him Lady bidding’s requirements, he made clear his own.

“I charges extra for waiting,” said he.

“Fair enough,” said I, “but how much?”

“A penny for a short time and tuppence for a long one.”

“And who’s to judge whether it be short or long?”

“Why, I am, of course.”

There was no arguing that, and after all, the fellow wad available, so I beckoned him forward to where Lady Fielding waited at Number 4, while I ran on ahead to her.

The streets surrounding Covent Garden were so crowded and narrow that our trip to Half-Moon Passage in the hackney could then likely have been made much faster afoot. Nevertheless, it was another chill morning, and we rode warmer than we could have walked. Expecting further instructions from her regarding the task she had put me to, I was surprised to receive none. Insofar as I remember, Lady Fielding said nothing the entire length of our journey. I supposed that she was thinking ahead to what might and might not be said to Clarissa Roundtree. I had wondered about that myself.

Half-Moon Passage was at its far end — near to the Strand — little more than a walkway.

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