by G. M. Best
‘It has been my experience that women have no power in this man’s world,’ commented Lady Overbury with a wry smile.
‘I beg to differ. You only have to look at how many men come here because their wives and daughters demand it. That is why I have encouraged women to view Bath as being the best place to see the latest fashions and the best place to acquire a husband.’
‘Then you know the weakness of women, not their strength!’ she countered.
Beau Nash laughed. ‘I know human nature, madam. When I came here men and women chose to wear nothing special. So I told the men to stop wearing riding boots as if they had forgot their horse, and to dress smartly, and I told the women to stop wearing their everyday white aprons, which made them appear no different in status from a common whore. As a consequence both men and women began to dress only in the height of fashion and this made Bath the place to be seen.’
‘He also did something else that was very clever,’ added Henry Fielding. ‘He recognized that nothing ruins fun as much too much snobbery and so he encouraged everyone to mix regardless of their social standing.’
‘Even the most nobly born like the occasional bit of fraternization with their inferiors.’
‘And what if someone objects?’ asked Lady Overbury.
‘I chivvy them on. As Master of Ceremonies I can say things that others cannot,’ he replied enigmatically.
‘Give me an example, sir.’
Beau Nash smiled very slightly. ‘If I notice a noblewoman declining to properly touch the hands of those of lesser status in a dance, I will go up to her and say in no measured terms that if she cannot behave with ordinary politeness she must leave the room.’
Lady Overbury warmed to the man’s impertinence, but this did not prevent her asking, ‘Are there not others who have also contributed to this city’s development?’
‘Of course there are. No one can anyone dispute the importance of John Wood and Ralph Allen in creating such beautiful new buildings as these in Queen Square. Men like George Trim, Richard Marchant, Thomas Greenaway and John Thornborough have invested heavily in creating places for visitors to stay and Bath owes much to John Harvey, who built the Pump Room, and Thomas Harrison, who built the two Assembly Rooms, where all can meet to play cards or take tea or dance. However, I can assure you that none of these would have done what he did had I not first increased the number of people wanting to come here. I only hope that those who follow me will not undo what I have achieved.’
‘What do you mean, sir?’
‘I fear others must now take on the mantle of ensuring that Bath offers appropriate entertainment for its many visitors. The government’s recent ban on gambling is destroying my power.’ Nash paused and looked her in the eye. ‘My heyday as Master of Ceremonies is already over.’
For the first time Lady Overbury felt she glimpsed the vulnerability that lay behind the man’s outward show. ‘I am sorry to hear it,’ she said quietly.
‘Whatever the government thinks, the ban is a mistake because it runs counter to human nature. Rather than take their pleasure in enjoying the fruits of what they already have, the rich prefer to seek yet even greater wealth. Gambling offers a way of achieving that.’
‘I fear you are right, Mr Nash.’
‘I usually am,’ he fired back and some of his earlier haughtiness reappeared. ‘And I am pleased to say that my influence is not yet over. Rest assured that I will use it to do all I can to catch Miss Grey’s murderer. And, while I am doing that, I hope you will discover that Bath has many delights.’
Lady Overbury recoiled at this suggestion. ‘Sir, I can hardly go out enjoying myself while Miss Grey’s body is scarce yet cold!’
‘Nonsense! Her death has nothing to do with you and Sir Robert will be mortified if he feels that your stay here has been ruined. You will benefit no one by locking yourself away inside this house. You need to go out and have your mind diverted by happier things.’
‘Like what?’
‘Seeing the walks and shops, hearing the music playing in various venues, exchanging conversation with the fashionable all around you. Of course there are various subscriptions that will ensure you fully enjoy the city – these include half a guinea to subscribe to a library, one guinea to relax in a house near the Pump Room and another to enjoy the gardens of the Assembly Rooms, and two guineas to the entertainment fund to attend the balls and routs.’
‘You have a slick tongue, sir, but it sounds to me as if you expect all visitors to keep their purses constantly open!’
‘Don’t go through the whole list, sir,’ intervened Henry Fielding, sensing that Beau Nash’s words were having a negative impact. ‘Leave it to me to guide Lady Overbury through the maze of charges that open up Bath’s pleasures. I will judge when the time is right. For the present I suggest that you focus on the investigation into Miss Grey’s murder. Whilst you are embarking on that, I will escort her ladyship to Bath Abbey where together we can pray for the soul of the murdered woman.’
The smile on Lady Overbury’s face at the start of his speech faded at its conclusion. ‘I am not so stupid that I cannot see what lies behind your suggestion, Mr Fielding. You think that I will not be able to avoid seeing some of what Bath has to offer if I go to the abbey.’
‘It is true that some of the attractive sights cannot be avoided.’
‘Nor I suppose can curiosity!’ she said and sighed at her own weakness. ‘I will not deny that I am keen to see more of Bath than I have so far achieved. However, I want you to know that our prime purpose must be to pray for the dead woman.’
‘I am pleased at your decision, Lady Overbury,’ observed Nash. ‘However, before I go I would like your permission to interview Joseph Graves to see if he knows anything about who might have killed Miss Grey.’
‘You have my permission, but I want to stay and hear what he has to say.’
He frowned. ‘It is not normal for a woman to be involved in questioning a man.’
‘In Sir Robert’s absence I am accountable for whatever happens in this house.’
Beau Nash had no enthusiasm for letting her remain but conceded to her request as graciously as he could. ‘You may stay on the condition that you let me do all the talking.’
‘You must know, sir, that asking a woman not to talk is asking the impossible, but I will do my best to remain silent.’
He grinned. ‘Then I can ask no more, madam.’
It was left to Henry Fielding to ring the bell and instruct Burnett that they wished Graves to be brought before them. When the old servant appeared, he looked extremely apprehensive, especially when he saw the Master of Ceremonies standing like a judge before him. Nash eyed the man up and down and did not like what he saw. ‘We have sent for you because we are investigating Miss Grey’s murder.’
‘I know nuthing about the murder, sir,’ stuttered Graves.
‘That is for me to judge,’ replied Beau Nash sternly. ‘Tell me, Graves, how long have you been employed here?’
‘Since the ’ouse was built, sir. More ’an ten years.’
‘And do you enjoy your work?’
‘I’ll be ’onest, sir. This ’ere is an easy job compared to others I ’ave ’ad. The family are only ’ere for part of each year and, since Lady Benson’s death, Sir Robert ’as largely avoided the place.’
‘But the house is sometimes offered to guests and that must generate work for you?’
‘It doesn’t ’appen very often, sir.’
‘It was offered to me as a special favour because Sir Robert was once very friendly with my father,’ commented Lady Overbury, fidgeting with the necklace round her neck and forgetting her promise to be silent.
‘Is it normal for only you and Miss Grey to run the house?’ continued Beau Nash, ignoring her intervention.
‘Yes. Sir Robert brings ’is servants from ’is London ’ouse if he comes to Bath.’
‘I have been told that you return to your home each night rather than staying her
e. Was not Miss Grey afraid of being in this house on her own?’
‘No, sir. Miss Grey weren’t a woman who were easily scared.’
‘Yet you told Lady Overbury that Miss Grey had been frightened recently,’ interrupted Fielding. Joseph Grave’s face began to twitch and he looked very uncomfortable.
‘Damn it, man! Tell us what you know!’ shouted Nash. ‘Or else I will have you whipped from one end of this town to the other!’
Every vestige of colour drained away from the servant’s face and he wiped the mounting sweat from his brow. ‘Well, sir, she came to me a week ago and she asked if I would sleep in the ’ouse. She said she were too nervous to do it alone anymore.’
‘Did she say what had scared her?’ asked Fielding.
‘She said she’d seen a man ’anging round the ’ouse and she were convinced that someone were getting inside at night. She could ’ear doors creaking and the sound of footsteps on the stairs.’ Graves sniffed and chewed his lip, searching his interrogators’ faces for any sign as to how they were taking his story.
Fielding was making no attempt to hide his contempt but Nash’s face showed no hint of what he was thinking. ‘So did you stay?’ he said.
‘I did for one night, sir, but I didn’t like it. I ’eard the same noises that Miss Grey had ’eard, but, when I tried to discover their source, I could find no one. I also found that the doors that I’d locked at night were some’ow unlocked in the morning.’
‘So what happened then?’
‘I told Miss Grey that I thought the place were ’aunted and I weren’t prepared to spend another night ’ere.’
‘And what did she say to that?’
‘She said that I were a coward and that she’d deal on ’er own with whoever the intruder was if he dared return again.’
‘Your behaviour was outrageous!’ interrupted Lady Overbury, thinking again of the poor murdered housekeeper’s body. ‘Why was the matter not reported?’
‘Neither Miss Grey nor I wanted to appear fools. She’d no proof that there really were any intruder and I feared people would laugh at my story of the ’ouse being ’aunted.’
‘But did you not think it unfair to let Miss Grey stay here undefended?’
‘It were ’er choice, your ladyship. I tried to dissuade ’er, but she were always a stubborn woman. That day we received a letter saying to prepare the ’ouse for yer arrival. I suppose I ’oped that the presence of guests might put an end to the matter.’
‘And what about any risk to Lady Overbury?’ roared Fielding, incensed at the servant’s cowardly behaviour.
‘I warned Lady Overbury more than once that the ’ouse were ’aunted, sir.’
‘Ghosts do not slit a person’s throat, Mr Graves,’ interjected Nash sharply. ‘Whoever disturbed this house at night was flesh and blood. Damn it, man, I’m sure you know more! If you want any future employment in this city, tell us what you have so far hidden!’
Graves stared at them in despair and appeared to struggle with himself over what to say. Finally he muttered, ‘Believe me, sir. I never dreamt that she’d be killed, or I would ’ave taken what she told me more seriously. I thought she were just making up a tale to cover up her clumsiness.’
‘What on earth do you mean?’ commented Lady Overbury, holding her body stiffly as she tried to contain her anger at his weakness and stupidity.
‘Two days ago, sir, I left the ’ouse during the a’ternoon to order provisions for Lady Overbury’s arrival. When I returned I found Miss Grey in a ’ighly agitated state. She began to cry and sob and I ’ad to stop ’er by giving ’er a good shake. I asked ’er what were the matter and, once she’d composed ’erself, she told me that a man had attacked ’er. She said that after my departure she’d decided to go down to the kitchen and clean some of the porcelain dinnerware. She were so engrossed in ’er task that she didn’t ’ear a man enter the ’ouse and so it were a huge shock when he came from behind ’er and seized ’er arm. She screamed and in ’er panic struck out at him with the dish that she’d in ’er ’and. It shattered against ’is face and, as he recoiled, she wrenched ’erself free and, ’urling another dish at him, ran upstairs. The man started to give chase, but then, for reasons that she didn’t understand, he abandoned the task, shouting after ’er that if she valued ’er life she must quit ’er position. He then left the ’ouse.’
‘Why have you not told us this before?’ said Nash angrily.
‘I were too ashamed, sir. You see, I didn’t believe Miss Grey. I thought she’d made up the story to cover up ’er clumsiness in breaking a dish. I told ’er not to expect me to support ’er cock-and-bull tale when the master discovered what she’d broken.’
‘Did she describe this man?’
‘To be ’onest, I didn’t give ’er much opportunity to do so. I told ’er that the master would be very angry at what she’d done and that she should clear up the mess.’
‘But she must have said something about the intruder!’ said Lady Overbury, once again forgetting that she was supposed to say nothing.
Graves wrung his hands together, a picture of remorse. ‘All I can recall, your ladyship, is what she said about ’is right hand. She said that when ’e grabbed ’er and she looked down at ’is ’and on ’er arm, he’d only four fingers. There were no thumb, only a scar where it once ’ad been.’
‘You are a fool, Graves,’ stated Henry Fielding, angry at the servant’s total mishandling of the situation. ‘You preferred to believe in ghosts rather than see that there was a human agency at work in this house and, as a result of your stupidity, Miss Grey is dead. Do you appreciate the enormity of what you have done?’ Graves abjectly nodded his head.
‘Leave us and return to your duties,’ commanded Beau Nash. ‘I know not what your master will say when he hears this, but I know what I would do. I’d dismiss you on the spot!’
All three stayed silent as the poor man left them until Fielding spoke what they all felt. ‘This damned matter gets ever more mysterious,’ he said. ‘Why should this stranger threaten Miss Grey?’
‘I will set in motion an investigation to find this man who lacks a thumb on his right hand,’ replied Beau Nash. ‘We can be sure that Miss Grey will not have been the only person to notice such a deformity. If we can discover his whereabouts and catch him, then I am sure all will be revealed!’
‘I hope so,’ commented Lady Overbury. ‘I thank you again, Mr Nash, for your assistance in this matter.’ He nodded and bowed courteously in her direction before taking his leave. Once he had gone, she turned her attention back to Henry Fielding. ‘Give me a few moments to go upstairs so that Darr can help me dress appropriately. I think that the walk you offered outside would now be most welcome. Miss Grey was so determined to set aside my fears that she hid her own. If only she had been honest with me she would still be alive. I really must pray for her poor soul.’
Half an hour later Henry Fielding led Lady Overbury out of the house. It was an exceptionally fine day for that time of the year and the blue sky was virtually cloudless. She breathed in the chill but fresh air, glad to be free for a time from the oppressive atmosphere that had permeated the house since the housekeeper’s death. The afternoon sun made all the honey-coloured stonework in Queen Square glow so brightly that the buildings appeared even more beautiful than they had the night before.
‘This delightful weather could make a vagrant of me,’ she said, looking across at the exquisite proportions of the north side of the square and then at the lofty obelisk that stood in front of it. She walked over to where it stood and read the inscription. It stated that it had been erected by Nash in honour of a visit made by the Prince of Wales and his consort seven years earlier.
‘I have been told that the poet Alexander Pope wrote the words,’ commented Fielding.
‘But the inscription is not in verse.’
‘Mr Nash had hoped for a clever verse from the poet, but Mr Pope told him that he had no idea what poetry to offer because
he had received so few favours from royalty that he was unacquainted with how best to thank them!’
‘I am pleased Mr Pope would not produce poetry just because Mr Nash thought he should. The man is too full of himself at times.’
‘Do not be too harsh on Mr Nash,’ pleaded Fielding. ‘Beneath the brash and sometimes pompous exterior he has a good heart. I said earlier that he sometimes came to the rescue of inexperienced gamblers. He has also often saved naïve young girls in danger of ruining themselves by listening to the false promises of men. And he has done much charity work in this city. He seeks out those in want and gives them aid uninvited. This city would never have raised the money for the Mineral Water Hospital without his fund-raising endeavours.’
The walk from Queen Square to Bath Abbey proved a very short one and, when they reached its spectacular west front, Lady Overbury looked with stunned amazement at the superb stone carving that surrounded its huge oak-carved doors. She had seen nothing quite like it before. Directly above the doors was a fine statue of Henry VII and far above him was the risen Christ and to either side of these were depicted angels ascending and descending ladders. She gazed at the cleverly wrought figures for some time but, to her mortification, she could not work out what message lay behind the choice of subject. Nor could she understand why to the side there was also a carving of an olive tree supporting a crown. ‘What does it all signify?’ she asked.
‘I am no scholar in these matters but I believe this was the last great medieval church to be built before this country’s break with Rome,’ responded Fielding. ‘The country was emerging from years of civil war and Oliver King, who was Bishop of Bath and Wells, chose to rebuild the great cathedral that had stood here since Norman times and dedicate the new building to the new Tudor monarchy that was being created. The façade, therefore, depicts the dream that made him think that. Just like Jacob in the Book of Genesis, he saw angels ascending and descending by a ladder to Heaven and he had a vision of an olive tree supporting a crown. He heard a voice say “Let an olive establish the crown and the crown establish the church”.’