Unhistoric Acts (10)

Port after stormy seas

Papa, murmured Janey with a slight groan, would I daresay have told us before we ever ventured out that a storm was brewing and was not an auspicious day for an agreeable sail.

Geoff Merrett had no doubt that Admiral Knighton had a fine long-honed talent for weather prophecy, but, alas, had gone a brief jaunt to Portsmouth to see old Naval friends. So he and Janey had blithely set off in her little sailing boat Hypatia, and a perilous time they had had of it when a summer storm had blown up almost out of a clear sky.

He conceded that they were entirely indebted to those nautical skills Janey had been schooled in from childhood by her father to keep them afloat and upright and to bring them to harbour, a deal of a way from any planned course, here at Worthing. He was quite the merest amateur landlubber compared to her. They had left Hypatia drawn up upon the sands above the tideline, and had generously fee’d, with the promise of more to come, certain of the local fishermen to keep an eye upon her, spread out her canvas to dry, &C. But here they were, a pair like unto drowned rats, that he would like to get somewhere to shelter so that they might dry their soaked garments, partake of hot drinks, find some means of sending a message to Lady Jane – there might be a telegraph office, now that the railway had come? –

Surely a persuasive advocate such as he had the reputation of being would be able to persuade a hotel to admit 'em even did they look so bedraggled and have no baggage to their names?

They were not the only ones showing the signs of drenching – sure it must have come on a sudden downpour and caught a deal of unsuspecting citizens and visitors afore it abated.

But here along the Esplanade came a fellow almost offensively neat and dry, even was there an umbrella prudently hooked over one arm, and parcels in one hand. Geoff started.

So did the other man, before lifting his hat and saying, Mrs Merrett! Mr Merrett! A slight frown contracted the dusky brow under wiry curls. Might I hazard you have been at sea during this recent tempest?

You guess entirely aright, Mr Allard, said Geoff, and – do you have some knowledge of Worthing – might you direct us to some suitable hostelry where we might go repair ourselves?

Maurice Allard looked thoughtful and said, 'twas the height of the season and dared say they were like to be a little crammed – and Mr and Mrs Merrett would not wish to trail from one to another seeking refuge – might he offer the hospitality of his lodgings? He was staying with Mrs Smith – his business partner – the original Mamzelle Bridgette – 'twas by no means far to go. Could dry their wet things on the range, iron 'em should it seem necessary, provide somewhat to cover 'em in the meanwhile – brew hot toddies –

Geoff quite perceived why and how Maurice Allard, little dusky molly modiste, had the reputation he did about the discreet club for fellows of the disposition. Knows what’s what and gets things done, Terence Offerton had said.

Janey looked at Geoff with quite enormous relief. O, Geoff, she said, that sounds an entire ideal solution to our predicament. I cannot like turning up – no baggage, no maid – at some hotel –

He looked at her affectionately. His young and still relatively new wife, she might well feel some shyness. Indeed this would be much better.

That is exceedingly kind of you, Allard – do you lead on – I hope we do not interrupt your errands?

Nothing of the least importance, said Allard. Let us get off the Esplanade and into the streets beyond.

It was a modest residence some little way back from the beach and the Esplanade, in what appeared a genteel residential street. Mrs Smith looked at them and was quite immediate about bustling them into bedchambers where they might strip off their soaked garments and towel themselves dry. Came very shortly with a dressing-gown that Geoff might put on while she put his clothes to dry, and added that Maurice was about making 'em hot toddies.

She paused at the door with the wet things bundled in her arms, and said, thought it would be the best thing for Mrs Merrett to lie down for a little with a hot brick –

Oh, thought Geoff, the poor dear creature, womanly times, superadded to all her other travails.

Very prudent, he said. Thank you, Mrs Smith.

He put on the dressing-gown and was somewhat surprised to find it a proper length on him – had supposed it would be Maurice’s and come up short. But mayhap Mrs Smith had other visitors –

It smelt a little of cigar-smoke.

Possibly, did he look closely, he might find a red hair or so about the collar –

There was a tap upon the door and he bade whoever it was to come in.

Maurice Allard came in with a steaming glass of hot toddy, that he handed to Geoff. It came very welcome indeed.

And does MacDonald also visit here? Geoff enquired.

Maurice raised an eyebrow and said, not at present – goes be philosophically peripatetic at Wallesfern for a while. What I propose, he went on, in the tones of one slamming a door upon that topic of conversation, is to go into town and see whether there is room for you at one or other hotel for the night – for I anticipate that you will not feel inclined to journey home today – provide you with some change of clothes, and also be about sending any messages you might wish.

That is uncommon kind of you, said Geoff.

Maurice shrugged. He drooped his eyelashes and said, you brought me a deal of business even before your marriage – alluding to the number of sad neglected wives Geoff had consoled in the discreet chamber at Mamzelle Bridgette’s premises – And Mrs M does very well for us in showing off Thomasina’s talents. But, would you give me some notion of your requirements –

When Geoff had done so, and Maurice had gone off to undertake the matter, he went over to look out of the window. It gave onto the back garden, in which a pale woman of, perhaps, early middle age was seated in a reclining chair, while a pretty dusky little girl of mayhap five years old played about.

Maurice walked out into the garden, perchance to enquire did they have any commissions while he was in town. The little girl went running up to show him something – Geoff squinted – a frog? – and was persuaded to let it hop off into the flower-bed. Maurice swung her up, as she displayed a deal of affection towards him.

Some relative, he dared suppose.

He would just go look in upon Janey.

He wondered might she be asleep, but although she looked a little drowsy, she was still awake. Is this not the most tiresome thing? she said. But what a kind helpful household this is.

Have you observed the child a-playing in the garden?

Only a glance – but from what Mrs Smith said, she must be 'Sina’s cousin: her mother is Sam Jupp’s sister, married the landlord of the public house close by the livery-stable, that is also Smith but no relative, used to be in Lady Bexbury’s establishment. She yawned. Should you mind did I dispose myself to sleep?

He kissed her and smoothed her hair and said he fancied 'twould be entirely the best thing.

He went back to the other room, where somebody had thoughtfully placed the newspapers. Port after stormy seas.