by Wendy Bayne
I was peeved by his answer since it added fuel to my current anxiety. “But why not address a letter directly to me?”
He smiled indulgently but was very frank with me, “Because you are the daughter of a known agent of the British Crown, that could get him and Mr Johnson killed.”
He put his hand in his pocket, pulling out a thin letter that couldn’t be more than one sheet and handed it to me.
The only seal was a daub of plain candle wax. I looked at my parents who both nodded, so I raced up the stairs to my room shooing Meg out who screamed in fright when I came flying in dressed like a gypsy. I grabbed a branch of candles and huddled by the window so that by the moonlight and candlelight I sat and read Miles’ letter. The handwriting was hesitant at first and there were several blotches of ink but nothing bad enough to obscure what he had to say.
October 9, 1830
We have arrived safely and are currently ensconced in a small Inn by the seaside. Surprisingly we have been welcomed by the locals as the good doctor seems to be known to them. The doctor has put out that I am his erstwhile assistant even though I am essentially blind. Fortunately, I have been able to prove my worth to Dr Grimes that with a heightened sense of smell I’ve developed the ability to differentiate between suppurating wounds and gangrene in the initial stages; thus, the good doctor has been able to save more than one man’s limb on this trip. I also seem to have a talent for calming nervous individuals which has helped not only with his practice of medicine and tooth pulling (from which he is making a tidy profit) but also when trying to gather news about the region.
We have even supped with the commander of the local militia. As a result, the doctor and I have been introduced to the community at large as gentlemen despite the doctor’s appearance. However, our penchant for visiting low taverns and having late night meetings with unscrupulous individuals has made some people wary of us. But neither smuggler nor militiaman believe that they we’re supporting their enemy’s endeavours. Instead we are viewed as friends of the common man on one hand and eccentric Londoners on the other.
Since news from London and the world at large is like gold here we have been feted by the local gentry, half of which dabble in the smuggling trade themselves. Even if being nothing more than a knowing customer. It is only with half a heart that many of the gentry side with the militia and customs officers to quell this illegal trade and usually only when it has threatened to undercut their own business interests. I have found it all very amusing since most of them were aware of each other’s activities both in their business and their personal lives. However, it is always the lack of proof that has limited the number of arrests made.
I could hear Miles’ voice in my head with his wry sense of humour, but towards the end of his letter his tone became more serious.
The doctor and I make rounds during the day to see patients and to care for those in need by bringing food and fuel to them. At night, we can be found in dark coves observing a ship anchored off shore watching them unload their smuggled goods. Or too often we have stood shivering on shore with the locals watching a ship sink in high seas or crashing upon the rocks only to wait for the refuse to wash ashore and be plundered by the people of the surrounding villages to augment their meagre stores and incomes. The doctor and I do what we can to protect any survivors of these catastrophes and to watch over the bodies of those washed ashore.
He ended with hastily scratched M at the bottom of the page, there was no other salutation, sentiment or return direction. I could only assume that it was safer that way. Folding it and holding it close to my chest I opened the window. I kissed the tips of my fingers and blew the kiss to my beloved wherever he might be.
There was a gentle knock at the door and my mother came in. “I was just going up to check on James and thought I’d better check on you first.” I nodded, and she came in and closed the door. “I assume the letter was from Miles?” again I just nodded and handed it to her. “Oh no, Lissa, that’s not why I came.”
I tipped my head sideways to rest it against the window. “It’s alright, Mother, there’s nothing personal in it. I even wondered how Mr de Bearne deduced the letter was for me.”
Mother laughed faintly. “Smell it, Lissa.” I looked at her perplexed by such an odd suggestion. “Go ahead, indulge me.”
I held the letter up to my nose and inhaled. “I smell fish and salt and…” then my eyes widened, “and Miles’ cologne of spice and sandalwood. How did you know?”
“Just a guess, your father never sent me love letters and only in the vaguest of terms would he tell me about his work. It was when he talked about the everyday life around him that I knew he wished I was there with him. And he would always drop a bit of his cologne on the paper and seal it.”
I looked at the letter in my hand as if I had Miles’ heart in my hands. “What an extraordinary man my father is.”
My mother smiled. “I know. But your father didn’t tell Miles to do that, Lissa. I just think that they’re both extraordinary men. Now if you’d like to preserve the smell, put it in the bottom of your jewellery box, it will hold the scent, including the fish smell.” She got up and I rose with her then the light caught the silver threads in my costume and mother gasped. “What beautiful fabric! It looks like a fall of shooting stars. Did you get that from Jibben’s people?”
I looked down and swished the skirt from side to side to see the threads twinkle and sparkle. The blouse was unremarkable, but the skirt was beautiful, I picked up the shawl that complemented it perfectly, it looked like moonlight on falling snow. “It is, isn’t it?”
Mother fingered the shawl and its softness. “I must speak to Jibben’s mother about acquiring some of this. I hope she’ll be willing to sell us some of the material.” I bit my lower lip, I was sceptical that my mother had ever haggled with a gypsy in her life. She blushed, “I can see that you have no faith in my ability to bargain.” I cocked an eye at her and she nodded. “Well, perhaps you’re right. I’ll take your father with me.” Then we both laughed, and Mother asked me to join everyone downstairs for the rest of the evening. I looked down at myself and she said, “There’s no need to change,” and with that she left to check on James.
I rang for Meg to help me change despite the beauty of the clothes. I felt out of place in them in these surroundings. I just couldn’t envisage myself in the drawing room taking tea while dressed like a fortune teller. That reminded me that Jibben’s grandmother had read my fortune in the tea leaves but had never shared it with me. I fingered the scented leather pouch in my pocket as I walked to my dressing table and placed Miles’ letter under the bottom tray of my jewellery box. Then I pulled out the pouch with the intent of depositing it into the same space, but something stayed my hand. I felt anxious again and my heart raced, I’m not a superstitious person but I convinced myself that it would insult Jibben’s people if I didn’t carry it with me just as she had admonished.
Meg came into my room noticing what I was holding in my hand. “What’s that, miss? Is it a sachet of some sort?” She sniffed. “It smells lovely, I can put it in your clothes press if you like.”
I shook my head. “No, thank you, Meg. This was specially made for me by Jibben’s mother.”
Meg’s eyes became huge. “Gypsy magic?” I saw her make a sign against evil that was commonly used by the village people back in Northumberland. “Oh gosh, miss, shouldn’t you burn the evil thing?”
I was surprised at her since she loved Robert and he was part gypsy, she’d need to get over these little prejudices, so I was annoyed when I spoke, “No, Meg! She made it for me as a protection amulet.”
Then Meg looked in awe. “Ooooh, protection, Robert’s got one of them too and it’s saved him many a time from mortal danger.” I had to keep from smirking but who was I to doubt its power. She nodded as if she could read my mind, “Miss, you never know so you’d best keep it with you after all.” I held it out to her, but she put her hands out as if to push it away. I smil
ed at her child-like fears, but at least I could be sure that my amulet would be safe from my maid.
I quickly changed and ran downstairs. Mother had arrived just ahead of me along with the tea. I was starving despite having been fed at the gypsy camp. The de Bearnes had gone up to check on their sons and had sent word that they were awake and would sup with them in the nursery. But Dr Jefferson had arrived and was a welcomed addition. Mother was smiling from ear to ear and I wondered what was on her mind. Then I looked at everyone else and they too were smiling. “What have I missed?”
Dr Jefferson accepted a cup of tea from my mother and cleared his throat. “Well, I find myself, I mean that I’ve… Oh, damn, I’m engaged to be married.”
My mouth was hanging open, all agape. “Who? I mean how, no I mean who and when?”
He chuckled. “As to how, Miss Turner, in the usual way. I proposed after speaking to her father. As to who, it’s Miss Isabel Wiseman.”
I almost dropped the cup of tea I was holding. “Sir Thomas’s daughter?!”
He nodded very pleased with himself. “Yes, the very same.”
I sat back totally amazed. “And Sir Thomas approves her marrying a sometime agent and a physician?”
Mother gasped. “Lissa, that is rude. Matthew, please excuse her, we’ve been at odds today.” She gave me a very disgruntled look and nodded at the doctor.
“I’m sorry, doctor, I just mean that I know how unusual life is in this family, will you be giving up your work with my father.”
He shook his head still smiling. “Actually, Miss Turner, I think it was my being an agent that was a major point in my favour with both Miss Wiseman and her father.”
Now my interest was piqued, and I wanted all the details. “But how did you ever meet her?”
Father started laughing. “Go ahead, Matthew, tell her.” He sat down crossing his legs at the ankle and continued laughing out loud.
Dr Jefferson glared at him then looked at me and smiled, “I unintentionally bumped into her and she fell into my arms.”
Father almost choked as he sipped his tea, so I swivelled in my seat to look at him. “My god, man, you pushed her into a fish pond!”
I looked back at the doctor wide-eyed, surely he would never do anything of the sort. He was blushing and pulled on his lower lip before answering. “I did not! It was an accident, at a masquerade we attended before we went to Paris. I was taking a stroll in the garden for some fresh air after the press of the ballroom when I saw Miss Wisemen, she was dressed as a huntress and was with a fellow who looked at first like he was demonstrating how to use her bow, but as I was passing by he seemed more intent on doing her harm.”
Father called out. “Oh, that is rich. Let’s face it, old man, you were stalking her. Her companion was Eckersley, you’ve never liked him since he joined Sir Thomas’s staff.” He paused to see that we were all paying attention. “Eckersley fancies himself an adventurer and lays it on rather thick at times, particularly with the ladies. In reality he’s little more than a trumped-up gentleman messenger. He inherited a tidy sum from a maternal uncle with a nice property in one of the Home Counties and envisions himself as taking over from Sir Thomas one day and frankly the old man does seem to like him. He’s been trying to court Miss Wiseman except that our Matthew here has had his eye on her since he treated her for an ague last Christmas, but Miss Wiseman took her time in expressing a preference.”
Dr Jefferson sighed, “Alright, Colin, that’s enough. If you all must know, yes, she did charm me while I cared for her and when I saw that weasel set to put his arm around Isabel, I pretended to stumble into them and they broke apart. It was dark and Eckersley thought I was attacking them; anyway, he reached out to grab me, but I side-stepped him and ran right into Miss Wiseman who had moved to come between us. She lost her balance and fell into the fish pond before I could prevent it.” Then he started to laugh out loud. “Eckersley scurried off like a rat on a sinking ship and I remained to assist Miss Wiseman out of the pond. Thankful she hadn’t screamed and came out of the pond laughing to my delight. She has a very musical laugh.” He stopped and stared off into the space.
Mother looked amused. “Then what happened, Matthew, what did you do?” Dr Jefferson seemed lost in a pleasant thought. “Matthew!”
He came around and looked at my mother. “Oh, we, ah well, I mean I helped her sneak back into the house and change. I mean I didn’t help her change, I acted as her look out while she went to her room to change. She is such an intelligent young lady and fast thinking, when we returned to the party she explained her lack of costume saying she had an entire of glass of wine spilled on her by someone when they bumped into each other on the terrace.” I looked at him and wondered how anyone could believe that story. He smirked and shrugged. “Well, it seemed reasonable at the time the party was rather crowded and there were several intoxicated individuals milling about the crowd. That my dear, Miss Turner, is how I won her fair hand. She stopped paying attention to Eckersley and turned her affections to me though apparently, I wasn’t immediately aware of this change.”
Father hid his face in his hands and was laughing again then amidst his merriment he managed to choke out, “Matthew, you are so obtuse. The girl practically threw herself at you! I’ve never known her to visit her father as often as she has in the past eight months, just happening to be there whenever you were. She all but fell into your lap, man. It’s a wonder that she wasn’t the one to propose. Frankly I didn’t even know that you were paying her court, it seemed all rather one-sided to me.” Mother rolled her eyes and slapped his hand.
Dr Jefferson gave my father a very disparaging look. “I’m not accountable to you for my free time, Colin.”
I was smiling at their easy banter, I too wondered when Dr Jefferson could pay court to Miss Wiseman with the amount of time he seemed to spend with us and his practice, but it was none of my business. Though I did venture to ask, “So there will be an engagement party soon?”
He brightened up considerably. “Yes, indeed, there will be. In fact, it’s part of why I’m here. I have come to bring your invitations to a dinner party being hosted by Sir Thomas.”
“Will your family be attending?” As soon as it was out of my mouth I knew I had been mistaken to ask. His countenance darkened, and his hands curled into fists. Then he looked up and smiled. “My Aunt Elizabeth will be attending, she has cared for me since I was a babe after the death of my mother. My father will not be there, we have not spoken for a number of years.”
“Oh, I am so very sorry.”
He relaxed while taking a sip of his tea. “Don’t be. My father and I have not seen eye to eye since I was a youth and he expected me to follow in his footsteps, being a useless gentleman with no occupation other than waiting to inherit his estate. It bothers him to no end that he cannot control me since I need neither his approval nor fortune.” I would love to have asked how he came by his own fortune since it was obvious that he was a man of considerable independent means over and above what he earned as a physician and agent to the Crown. But his eyes reflected a pain that went deeper than just the estrangement from his father. There was more to this than he was prepared to tell. Mother evidently knew because her face couldn’t mask the concern that she felt for Dr Jefferson and the pain he so obviously felt.
To lighten the mood, I addressed my mother, “Do you think Emilie and Samuel will be back in time for the dinner party and should we see madam about new gowns?” I looked to my papa for his response to the last question.
Father raised his hands. “No new gowns! I haven’t seen you in half of what you both bought while in Paris, young lady!”
Mother laughed at him then looked down at the invitation that Dr Jefferson had handed her. “Matthew, this invitation is for the end of this month! How long have you been engaged?”
He looked down obviously embarrassed. “Ah, since this morning but it would seem as far as Isabel is concerned we’ve been engaged for much longer than I tho
ught.” He chuckled. “It was often alluded to but never formalized before I went to Paris. Her father was quiet put out with me for not asking his permission before I spoke with him this morning.”
Mother was laughing. “Oh, Matthew, you never had a chance, poor man. However, Miss Wiseman is an accomplished young lady, I think you two will suit each other just fine.” Mother was about to add something when there was a pounding at the outside door. My father made for the hallway and the rest of us followed closely behind. Michael had just opened the door and a bedraggled Viscount Tinley stumbled in or as he was known to the family Edward Johnson, Miles’ brother.
Chapter 36
Actions and Consequences
Edward was soaked and filthy as if he had ridden long and hard, he was gasping for his breath as he asked, “Is my brother here?”
My father looked at him with something akin to loathing as he stood there, dripping a puddle on the floor in front of us and he looked in no mood to respond to him. But he gathered himself, “You had better come in to dry off and explain to me what is going on.” Michael whispered a few words to my father who gave Edward a sharp look.
Edward looked anxious and he was obviously very upset. “I need to speak to my brother.” He gasped for another breath then fell face forward onto the floor.
Dr Jefferson and Michael raced forward and with his assistance they were able to get him into the library, remove his soaked great coat, boots and stockings. They laid him gently on the settee by the fire. Michael then went for Dr Jefferson’s bag which he thankfully took everywhere with him. We left the men with Edward and moved to the other end of the library while the doctor examined him. In short order, he pronounced his collapse to be from exhaustion."