by Abigail Agar
“You, noble Chapman, you are saying that you have taken bribes?” Gregory did not find this that unusual. He knew for a fact that many judges took bribes, but Maxwell seemed pitiably sorrowful over his faulty decisions. “Does this have anything to do with my uncle?”
Maxwell shook his head. “I know not of any of that. I have let others choose what I decreed, though, and for that, I am most humbled. I do not know that I should continue to sit upon that bench. I do not know that I should have such sway.”
“Seems to me that you are the right man,” Gregory said softly. “Only a righteous man would grieve so for such a wrong. You may have debts, Lord Chapman, but it is not a deficit of the heart.”
Maxwell wiped away moisture from his eyes. “I tell you that I know nothing of righteousness. Your kindness brings me only sorrow.”
“I apologize for causing you such grief, but I do feel that you need to hear that you are a good man, Maxwell. If you must prove it to yourself, then stand against those that would sway you. Do what you feel is right,” Gregory said truthfully.
Maxwell said, “I have. I let those masons go when they were to be hanged. I did not see the truth in it. You were right. There was no sense in the accusations. I was very afraid for you that you would run afoul of those who wanted things different.”
“I think perhaps I did,” Gregory said honestly. “And my wife is paying the consequence for that.”
Maxwell frowned. “Your wife? I heard from one of the Lords that your wife was guilty of adultery. Is this not the case?”
“Who said such a thing?” Gregory asked indignantly.
Maxwell held up his hands to plead mercy. “It was Boris. I thought him being your cousin that he would know. Is that not the case?”
“It is not,” Gregory said hotly. “Although I can guess where he heard the rumour from,” Gregory snarled. “If you can tell me who these men were that ordered the masons to be hanged, then I can promise you that I will do everything in my power to help you, Maxwell.”
Maxwell’s eyes brightened, but he shook his head. “I have already said more than I should. I do not want to bring danger to my family because of my loose tongue. I could not just leave it with our friendship.”
“Please, Maxwell,” Gregory begged. “If we are friends, then please tell me. It might mean the difference. It could help us find my wife.”
Gregory could see Maxwell waver, and finally, the man nodded reluctantly. “I will tell you that your cousin is one. I think he is just doing as he is told by older Lords, but he is a force to be reckoned with.”
“I will handle my cousin,” Gregory said quietly. He looked at Maxwell and said earnestly, “Thank you, old friend.”
***
Jules wore a dirty dress that had faded blue flowers on it. It hung on her loosely as its last owner was clearly more substantial than Jules. Her small frame was engulfed by the fabric of the dress, and it often got caught under her feet.
“Please sit down,” a tall man said.
Jules did not trust him. She had no idea why she was here, or where here was exactly. She had been moved from the last workhouse, only to end up in a house that seemed occupied by the tall man, a woman, and several children that came and went.
“Where am I?” Jules asked the question hesitantly. She did not really expect an answer out of the man, and after the last few experiences at the workhouses, it had taken most of her courage to simply ask the question. However, no blows came from her speaking, and she waited.
The tall man gave her a smile, “You are in a house of the Lord. We take in wayward souls and try to help them along their way. What’s your name, Child?”
“Jules St Claire,” Jules said softly. She had almost said Kelley, but then she remembered that she had indeed gotten married and that was not some delirious fever dream. No, she thought, Gregory was very real.
The tall man squinted and gave her a curious look. “That’s an odd name,” he commented but did not give Jules a chance to expand upon her surname. He continued, “We have breakfast at sunrise, and we are to bed at dusk. We believe in a good hard day’s work. You seem a fine healthy young woman, so I don’t think that employment will be hard to come by for you.”
Jules shook her head. “Can I ask why I am here? I was in a workhouse.”
“Yes, and you were transferred here last night at the request of our patron. He seemed very concerned about your well-being,” the tall man said. “I have enquired about jobs for you at several places. As soon as I have something secured, then I will let you know. For now, go give thanks that you are safe at last and wash up.”
Jules stood up as she tried to wrap her head around what the man had said. He pointed her up the stairs and told her which door to go in.
She felt like she was in a daze. Where in London was she? Jules looked out the window of her room. She could not tell where she was from the skyline that greeted her. Jules sank down onto her bed.
She refused to feel despondent. After all, the man had talked of a job. If she had a job, then she would have to leave the house, and therefore, she might be able to slip away and get back to the St Claire family home. Doubt over what David had said crept into Jules’ heart. What if Gregory really did not want anything to do with her? Had he been looking for her?
Jules went over to the bed and laid down. It felt so odd to be in a bed again, and soon enough she was asleep from the fatigue of the last few days.
***
Gregory walked up the steps to Glenwood Estate where his uncle often stayed with his cousin Boris, even though Boris was related to Gregory through his mother’s side. Family sticks together, Gregory reminded himself as he knocked on the door.
The doorman gave Gregory a curious look. “Your Grace,” the man said. “If you are looking for your uncle, he is not in residence.”
“Actually, I’m looking for the Master of the house. Is Lord Shelton in?” Gregory gave the man a smile which caused the servant to relax visibly.
The doorman stepped back and opened the door wide so that Gregory could step through. As soon as Gregory was through the door, the man bowed to him and said, “I shall tell him that you are here, Your Grace.”
“Very good,” Gregory said with a generous smile.
A few minutes later, and the entrance hall was filled with Boris’ roar of a laugh. “Well, what do I owe the pleasure of the Duke of Thornton visiting so much lately? Still sussing out your uncle?”
“No, no. I have quite given up on Uncle, and I am just going to presume him dead,” Gregory said with a smile.
Boris chuckled and shook his finger at Gregory. “Always with that bite to your words, Cousin. I swear that you must have been suckled on knives to get such a sharp tongue.” Boris clucked his tongue at Gregory.
“All jokes aside, Cousin, I came to see you. I heard a horrible rumour, and to my ghastly shock it was attributed to you,” Gregory said with a sad shake of his head.
Boris frowned deeply and asked, “What is it? What is it that I was supposed to say? What vile venom came from my lips?”
“It was to the detriment of my bride, I fear,” Gregory said with another shake of his head. “It was so fiendish that I knew it was a lie as soon as I heard it. I tell you the man is a villain that spoke it to me.”
Boris was beside himself as he grabbed Gregory’s arms. “I beseech you to tell me what this scoundrel has heaped on my plate.”
Gregory said, “It was said that my wife was unfaithful. I know it to be false, good Boris, but I will admit that it ripped at my heart to hear it.”
“I swear to you that I said no such thing. You know as well as I do that I have barely been around the Duchess long enough to form a hearty opinion. What I have seen of her shows her to be a kind and generous young lady,” Boris said adamantly. “You trust me, do you not, Cousin?”
Gregory nodded slowly. “Of course, I do. We grew up together, you and me.” Gregory sighed. “I am glad that you were not the seat of such lies.”
Boris put his arm around Gregory’s shoulders merrily. “Fear not, for our relationship will weather all storms, Cousin. We need not doubt each other,” Boris said with a smile.
Gregory agreed, “Indeed.”
“Who was this foul beast that spoke so?” Boris asked as he let go of Gregory.
Gregory waved his hands. “I do not wish to cause strife. I just merely had to know if it was truly out of your mouth,” Gregory said beseechingly.
Boris insisted, “You must tell me who has besmirched my name, Cousin. You cannot let this knave run about the whole of London telling people that I said such things about my own family.”
“Then let me handle him,” Gregory said earnestly. “I will take it straight to him and hone him through his heart if he denies it.”
Boris chuckled. “I tell you, Gregory, your mother’s milk must have been made of pure fire. I will leave it to you then,” Boris said with a shake of his head. “Be safe, Cousin. People who will say such things will do much worse than spout a few ill words.”
Gregory clapped his cousin on the shoulder. “I will take your words with great care, good Boris,” Gregory said seriously. “May I ask a favour of you after offending you so?”
“Certainly, you may,” Boris said confidently.
Gregory nodded and asked, “My wife has been wrongly imprisoned. Not even charges filed against her. There are reports of her being in workhouses, but she has since disappeared. I would ask that you keep your ears and eyes open. I know that you are out in society more. Perhaps someone has heard something.”
“It breaks my heart to hear this,” Boris said fiercely. “I will do everything in my power to procure this information for you. This shall not stand.”
Gregory gave his cousin a smile and said, “Thank you, Boris. I know that with your help it is only a matter of time before she is back by my side.”
***
“He lied straight to your face?” Fredrick scowled. “I never did trust that loud-mouth braggart.”
Talbert and Olly came into the kitchen where the St Claire brothers currently sat. Talbert asked, “You called for us, Your Grace?”
“Yes,” Gregory said to the two men. “I want you to go and make nice with the boys from my cousin’s house. You know where they normally go to blow off steam. See if they can tell you anything that might be a bit odd. Feel free to trade gossip about Fredrick’s run-in with the highwaymen if you need be. You have first-hand knowledge of part of that night after all.”
Fredrick nodded his agreement. “You have my permission to do so,” he said with amusement. “Feel free to add in the part about me kicking that one in the knee, even if you were not technically present for it.”
Talbert chuckled. “Alright,” he said. “Come on, Olly, I bet Todd and the boys are down at the tavern.”
“Be careful,” Gregory said quietly to the two young men. “Whoever else is in this with my cousin means business. They would not hesitate to harm you if they did so to Fred or Jules.”
Olly nodded and promised, “We won’t take any chance, Your Grace.” The two men were swiftly out of the room.
After Olly and Talbert’s footsteps faded, Gregory said, “I feel awful asking those young men to do more.”
“I think they are happy to do it. Most everyone is fond of the Duchess,” Fredrick said to his brother. “I found very little today. I even doubled back to a couple of the workhouses. There is nothing to be found there. Perhaps with your jostling of Cousin Boris, the rats will start to flee the ship.”
***
The lady of the house was a quiet type. The woman’s name was Sarah, and she was as soft-spoken and meek as anyone that Jules had ever run across. Sarah was, however, rather good with a needle and thread. Watching the woman work made Jules miss her mother.
The woman’s tools made it possible for Jules to borrow some thread and a needle to hem up her unfortunate dress. At least it did not drag under her feet now even if it was still too big most everywhere else. The children were out almost all day, and Jules learned that they worked in a factory nearby.
The thought of the children in the factory made Jules shake her head, but she could not naysay Wyatt, the tall man, and Sarah. Some of the children were their own, but most were just lost souls that the couple had taken in. Most days, Sarah was home mending and sewing, while Wyatt went out into the city to work at a newspaper stand nearby.
Wyatt came in with a grin on his face as he called out Jules name that particular evening. Jules had been waiting for Wyatt to find her a job, and her heart practically beat out of her chest at the sound of excitement in the man’s voice.
Wyatt beamed when he saw Jules. “The Lord has answered your prayers,” Wyatt said joyfully. “There is a factory on the East side that needs seamstresses. I have seen that you know a thing or two about sewing, and since I know some of the men who run the factory, I managed to get your name to the right people. They want you to come by bright and early in the morning. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“It is,” Jules said without a trace of deception. She really was genuinely thrilled. It felt like it had been ages since she had been free to leave her confinement. The very thought of simply walking down the street unfettered was enough to make her feel like laughing.
Sarah smiled over at Wyatt. “What a good man you are, Wyatt,” she said proudly to her husband. “I know you shall do wonderful,” Sarah said encouragingly to Jules.
Jules nodded enthusiastically. “I will definitely try. I’m so excited that I doubt I will sleep at all. I better get straight up and say my prayers. Thank you, Wyatt,” Jules said before she rushed upstairs.
Sleep really was elusive. Jules sat there trying to formulate how long it would take her to get to the manor house. She did not know for sure where Wyatt and Sarah’s house was, but from what she had pieced together, it was at least across the city on the Western side of London.
However, if she had to go East, then that might put her close to her old stomping grounds. Jules fell asleep finally out of sheer exhaustion with a smile on her face.
***
The next morning, Jules’ eyes popped open, and she quickly started to grab for her things only to realize that she had no things. Jules laughed at herself then gave her reflection a quick glance. She looked passable but still not much better than a sick sow.
Downstairs, Jules did not even bother to eat. Wyatt had already left, leaving behind a note for her with instructions on how to get to her new job. Jules held the note up as she stepped out the door. The sweet rush of faintly cool air hit Jules, and she paused to just breathe in that first free breath of air.
She would follow the note, at least until she was near the job’s vicinity, so she would not arouse suspicion. The last thing she needed was to end up back at the workhouses or the jail. Jules walked along just enjoying the sounds of the city.
It had been so long since she had just taken in the sights and sounds of London. Growing up here she had taken the clamour of the city for granted, and she only noticed its absence in the country at Thornton Hall.
However, the noise of the city had been replaced by other noises such as chatty crickets that fought to be heard over the bullfrog serenade.
The yell of a newspaper boy brought Jules out of her stupor. She gave the little boy a smile, but she had no money to buy a paper with and did not hinder him. Jules checked the note and cut down the next street.
Slowly the streets became more familiar. By midday, she was on a street that she had at least set foot on before. She was so far from the manor house that she thought of just going to her new job to get the chance to sit for a moment. Jules pushed on and pocketed the note. She knew where she was going now.