So Long at the Fair

by Pat Herbert

  Richard Latimer understood only too well. His father had always been an obstinate man and no amount of reasoning with him would change or divert him from the course he had decided to take. Having thought long and hard before writing to his father, he was now beginning to wish he hadn’t done so. Hannah, he feared, would never forgive him.

  But the die was cast, for good or ill. Whatever Hannah said would make no difference. Arthur Latimer, despite his ill health, wouldn’t rest until he got his revenge on his erring son-in-law, even if he died in the attempt. And, Richard couldn’t help thinking, that seemed very likely.

  Chapter Nine

  September 1894

  Jonah Longbody was looking very pleased with himself. He was standing outside the King George public house just off Wandsworth High Street in good time for his appointment with Richard Latimer. It was one of those autumn mornings that promised a golden day before the onslaught of winter. The trees were looking majestic in their brightly coloured finery. He had an eye for beauty, especially in nature, and gazed with pleasure at the various shades of orange, vermilion and gold displayed before him.

  Richard Latimer, however, was of a different temperament entirely, his head forever bent towards the pavement, deep in his thoughts. If ever he chanced to look heavenwards, the glorious sight of a vivid azure sky and bright yellow sun was generally lost on him. How to make money and look after his family’s interests were the two main concerns always uppermost in his mind, no matter what was going on around him. Today, he was even more preoccupied than usual and, dispensing with any polite preliminaries, strode up to Jonah and demanded to know if he had found Olivia Ayrton-Williams.

  “I have,” came the prompt reply. Jonah fished out a crumpled piece of paper from his inside pocket and squinted at it. “And a prettier young lady I have yet to see ...”

  “I care not a fig for her beauty. I just want to know where she is living,” said Richard with impatience. He admired female beauty as much as the next man, but he was determined to make an exception in Olivia Ayrton-Williams’ case.

  “And, indeed, you shall know all I know,” said Jonah reassuringly.

  “Come, my man, out with it.”

  “If you would care to enter this establishment,” said Jonah indicating the public house alongside them, “and stand me a quart of ale, then I will give you all the details I have.”

  “Very well,” sighed Richard. The thought of spending any more time than strictly necessary with this peculiar man filled him with dismay. However, he needed his expertise, and he didn’t mind buying him his ale just as long as he got the information he needed.

  

  Jonah enjoyed his work as a rule, although he had had his fill of tracking down lost cats and, in one instance, a rather slippery snake. It was thus a pleasant change to have to track down a human being, particularly such a lovely one as she had turned out to be.

  And it hadn’t been difficult. All he had to do was wait outside the Downings’ house the previous morning and then follow Humphrey to work. Once he had ensured his quarry had entered his place of employment, a large stone-clad building in Chancery Lane, home to one of the most prestigious City banks, he had settled himself in a convenient cafe´ opposite. Waiting about was a large part of his work and, although he couldn’t say he enjoyed it, he was used to it.

  As the morning had progressed, his patience had been rewarded at lunchtime. He saw Humphrey Downing emerge from the bank and cross over to the cafe´. Pretending to be engrossed in his newspaper, Jonah had the young man in his sights all through lunch. He had been disappointed, however, to see his quarry return to the bank as two o’clock struck.

  It was some two hours later when Jonah’s vigil finally bore fruit. He saw Humphrey crossing the road towards the tram stop on the corner opposite the café and, without waiting to finish his fourth doughnut of the day, Jonah hurried over to join the queue already there.

  As the tram stopped outside the main entrance to Regent’s Park, Jonah had been just in time to see Humphrey leap off. Following him at a discreet distance, past the elegant terraces, he had reckoned that this Olivia must be someone very special for Humphrey to have set her up in this part of London. No back street slum for her, it would seem.

  Hurrying to keep up, but making sure he wasn’t too close, he saw Humphrey disappear around a corner just off the Crescent and climb the steps of a superior-looking dwelling situated on the outskirts of the park. Jonah remained on the other side of the road and watched as a young woman opened the door and admitted him. He could see at once that here was no ordinary woman. Even from his vantage point, a safe distance away, Jonah could see how lovely she was. No wonder Humphrey Downing was entrapped. No matter the rights and wrongs of the situation, Jonah couldn’t bring himself to quite blame him.

  Now, as he sat with Richard Latimer, supping the ale he had bought him, he waited for his congratulations but waited in vain.

  “So, you’ve told me where she lives. What else have you to tell me?”

  Jonah wiped the froth from his mouth with his coat sleeve, beginning to dislike his new client. Then he thought of the money – and the ale. Maybe he wasn’t so bad, just ungrateful. He wished he had a florin for every ungrateful client he had ever had; he’d be a rich man by now.

  “That is entirely up to you, sir,” Jonah replied, politeness itself.

  “Well, as I said, I would like you to keep an eye on her and report anything out of the ordinary to me.”

  For answer, Jonah handed him the café bill he’d incurred the previous day. Richard looked at it and, without remark, handed the money over.

  “You see, I have to spend long hours just watching and waiting, and usually the only place one can do that without drawing attention to oneself is in cafés – and they always expect you to buy food...”

  Richard couldn’t resist a wry smile. “That’s generally what happens in cafés. They need to make money, just the same as you and I.”

  “I just wanted to make it clear that I don’t come cheap. But as long as you authorise me to follow this lady, then you will not be surprised by other expenses I may have to incur – I mean, on top of my actual fee...”

  Richard waved his hand impatiently as he got up to go. “I have already told you that money is of no consequence. Eat and drink yourself into a stupor, for all I care, just keep me informed of what this Olivia woman gets up to. All right?”

  “Of course.”

  As Richard turned to go, he threw some silver coins onto the table top. “And to show I mean business, have another quart of ale on me.”

  Jonah decided he liked his new client after all.

  Chapter Ten

  September 1894

  Hannah Downing was, seemingly, horrified at the idea of Richard hiring a private detective. From what she knew of the species, they were sleazy and unprincipled, and the fact her brother was consorting with one was shocking. But she had to admit it suited her plans. Thanks to Jonah Longbody, she would soon know where to find her husband’s mistress.

  She secretly planned to visit Olivia Ayrton-Williams at the earliest opportunity. Hannah recalled seeing her that evening three years ago at a musical soiree. While they had listened to that awful soprano, her attention had wandered to the beautiful woman who was sitting on her husband’s right, and she had been astonished at her beauty. She also remembered thinking, with a sinking heart, that Humphrey must have noticed her too and she had known, from that moment, she was about to lose him again. She had had a presentiment at the time that this was going to be more than a passing fling, but it gave her no comfort to be proved right.

  However, all that didn’t matter to her now. What was done was done. At the back of her mind was the thought of the unborn baby. It had been a vague thought at first, but it was growing like a healthy seed and beginning to flourish just like, no doubt, the child itself. What if Olivia could be persuaded to give it up to her? After all, it was Humphrey’s anyway. And a single woman could hardly br
ing up a child on her own. It was unthinkable.

  “I think you should pay off this – this person – this detective you’ve found and leave the woman alone,” she told Richard. “She has enough problems without you adding to them. Have you stopped to consider what it must be like for her? With child and unmarried?”

  “You’ve changed your tune, I must say,” said a very disgruntled Richard. “I was only looking after your interests like you asked me to.”

  “I didn’t expect you to tell Papa after I specifically asked you not to. And I certainly didn’t expect you to hire a private detective to spy on this poor woman.”

  “How can you say that? This ‘poor woman’ as you call her is having your husband’s child, for goodness’ sake,” protested Richard. “You are a wronged woman.”

  “I am used to it,” said Hannah flippantly. “The most important thing now is to do what’s right.”

  “By doing what’s right, you mean to pay for the upkeep of the child,” stated Richard. “I won’t let you do that and, more importantly, neither will Papa.”

  “I realise that, Richard,” she said. “But I intend to do right, all the same. There are other ways.”

  “Yes,” agreed Richard eagerly, “there are other ways. I plan to go and see her. I think it would be politic to keep an eye on her in the meantime, though: therefore, this detective fellow will be useful. He’s not such a bad sort – a bit eccentric, perhaps...”

  Hannah Downing sighed. “Very well, if you think it wise. But I don’t want Humphrey knowing anything of this. I suppose he will continue to have assignations with this woman.”

  “Not for much longer,” said Richard meaningfully.

  “But what about the baby? Do we do nothing for the child?”

  “We will think about that nearer the time. I will find out when her confinement is due. Then we will decide.”

  It was after nine in the morning. Hannah was seated in the parlour with her brother. Her husband had left for work and the maidservant had cleared away the breakfast things. There was a silence between them now, broken only by the sound of a few happy birds in the large oak tree outside the window.

  “Richard,” said Hannah quietly after a few moments, “this woman – she has an interesting name. It is not a common one, certainly.”

  “No. She isn’t a common streetwalker, that is evident. But then you would hardly expect your husband to consort with one of those.”

  Hannah was more cynical. “I believe he has done so in the past. But that is by the by.”

  Richard was shocked. “Really? Are there no depths to which he will not sink?”

  “Where does this woman live?” Hannah ignored her brother’s last remark, determined now to get the information she wanted.

  “She lives in Regent’s Park,” he replied. “I wonder at you, sister. You plan to go and see her yourself, don’t you?”

  “Of course not!” Hannah was annoyed that he had divined her secret intention so easily. “I’m just curious. That is all.”

  “I only hope he isn’t using your money to pay for her rent,” said Richard. “That would be too much.”

  “No, you needn’t worry on that score,” said Hannah. “He seems to be earning enough at the bank to afford it on his own.”

  “Hmmph! That is just as well.”

  “Anyway, where exactly does she live? There may be less affluent places in the vicinity.”

  “You are very clever,” he grinned. “If you want her address, I cannot deny you. But I do not think it wise.”

  “It may not be wise, Richard, but since when has wisdom played any part in matters of this sort?”

  He wrote down the address without another word.

  Chapter Eleven

  October 1894

  Jonah Longbody spat on his rather grubby ink-stained hands and smoothed down his hair with them as best he could. However, no sooner had he settled it down on his pointy head, than it sprang up again strand by strand, until he looked as if he had just been given a nasty shock. He had come to call on his wealthy client, Richard Latimer, who was turning out to be a solid source of income to him, and he wanted to give as favourable impression as possible.

  “So, what news do you have?” demanded Richard, when he had shown his visitor into his private study.

  “Well, sir,” began Jonah, taking the seat proffered to him, “it looks as if this lady is most certainly with child...”

  “I never thought there was any doubt of that,” said Richard, seating himself at his desk and swivelling his chair to face him.

  “Well, it has been my experience that – er – some young ladies are not above – not to put too fine a point upon it – lying for their own ends.”

  “Indeed?” Richard raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes, sir. It is one sure way to get a gentleman to marry them – or, more likely, to pay for their keep. But it is clear to the human eye that she has put on some weight in – er – the usual place, if you understand me.”

  “Yes, yes. But I am surprised she ventures out in that condition. People must look askance at her, without a wedding ring and all.”

  “But she has a wedding ring, Mr Latimer,” smiled Jonah, winking and tapping the side of his nose.

  “Oh? Did that rogue buy it for her, do you know?”

  “I presume you mean Mr Downing? No, I believe she is a widow; it is her late husband’s ring.”

  “A widow? Now, I never thought of that. Do you know how he came to die?”

  “That I do not, but I could find out for you.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” said Richard firmly.

  Jonah grinned. “I would judge that she will be confined around Christmas time or a little after.”

  “How do you know? Are you a doctor?”

  “No, of course not. But I have two eyes and I use them. I have to in my business.”

  Richard took his point. “Yes, I see. What else do you have to report?”

  Jonah looked a little shifty. “I – I don’t think you will like this, sir...”

  “Get on with it, man, I haven’t got all day.”

  “Well, Mr Downing is still seeing her.”

  “Oh, he is, is he? That doesn’t surprise me.” His fingers started to drum on the desk.

  Jonah could see his client was annoyed at this, but he was used to imparting unpleasant news. He was adept at ferreting out the most intimate details of people’s private lives, and he often felt that he could make a lucrative living as a blackmailer if he wasn’t so honest.

  “I trust Mr Downing hasn’t any idea that you have seen him?”

  “I’m very discreet, I can assure you.”

  “That is just as well.”

  “I wouldn’t last long in my job if I weren’t.”

  “Quite,” said Richard.

  “Mr Downing continues to visit the lady, sir,” Jonah went on. “Usually on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. It is half-day at the bank, I gather, and he has some free time.”

  “So, he sees her quite regularly, then?”

  “It would seem so,” replied Jonah.

  “Thank you,” said Richard. “How much do I owe you so far?”

  

  Humphrey Downing could tell by the look on his brother-in-law’s face that he wasn’t very pleased.

  “Look, I know I’ve been a damned fool....” he began

  “That’s putting it mildly,” said Richard.

  “But I – I want to do what’s right...”

  “It’s a bit late for that.” Richard glared at him. “I understand she’s touting herself about to all and sundry, bold as brass. A little feminine decorum would be in order, don’t you think? One would almost believe she was proud of her situation.”

  “Oh, she is far from that, brother-in-law, as am I.”

  “How is she being kept, may I ask? Are you using your own money for the purpose?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m surprised you have to ask.”

  “I just wan
ted to be clear in my mind, that’s all. Hannah told me as much, but she is blind where you’re concerned, I’m afraid. She still defends you, even after you almost killed her.”

  “I wouldn’t have done it, Richard,” protested Humphrey. “I couldn’t! I still care for her. You need have no fear of that.”

  “You care for her money; that is all.”

  This statement was true, Humphrey knew, and he had enough grace not to try and deny it.

  “Anyway, I haven’t come here to argue with you,” said Richard, looking at him with something like satisfaction. “I have some news to impart.”

  “News? What news?”

  “I have just found out that you are still seeing this woman,” said Richard. “I believe Papa gave you certain instructions on this matter?”

  Humphrey looked down at his shoes. “Instructions?”

  “Don’t play games, Humphrey. You know full well what I mean. You were told that, on no account, were you to see this woman again.”

  “He can’t stop me seeing her,” Humphrey broke out. “Who told you I was still seeing her, anyway?”

  “That is something I’m not at liberty to divulge. Suffice it to say, I know. Papa is very angry, as you can imagine.”

  “It is my own affair whether I see Olivia or not. I am paying for her keep out of my own money so your father cannot prevent me.”

  Richard looked even more satisfied now. “Maybe not,” he said. “But Papa has terminated your employment at the bank forthwith.”

  Humphrey’s jaw dropped. “How? He can’t! He’s not my boss.”

  “That is true, but Papa has influence, and he is on very good terms with your boss. Once he knew what you were doing, your boss agreed at once to dismiss you.”

  “But what about Olivia? I can’t afford to keep her if I don’t have any income…”