Repercussions (9)

A slack time for news

Was a slack time for news, this particular season o’ the year. So was not at all remarkable that, wishing to find somewhat to fill up the columns of The Intelligencer, that was still as 'twere the flagship of the Lowndes press, Gordon Marshall went investigate whether aught new had been heard in that mysterious business of the draper’s disappearing wife. That was not entirely in the way of newspaper business!

So, here he was at Lotting’s Superior Drapery establishment, and frowning a little, for, did it look not quite as tidily turned-out as had used to be the case? He pushed open the door, that tinkled a bell, and saw that was not undue bustling. No sign of the proprietor.

Came up to him Miss Evans, that he fancied now took charge in the absence of Mrs Lotting. They made civil to one another on the basis of their previous acquaintance on the occasion of Mrs Lotting’s vanishing, and he asked was Mr L about? Had aught been heard of the matter?

Miss Evans said kept very much to his private quarters, raising her eyes – indicating that he lived over the shop – and Gordon observed out of the corner of his eye one of the other shop-women making an elbow-lifting gesture. Heard nothing more of what might have come to his poor wife. She added that she would show him to the stairs so that he might venture speak to Mr Lotting.

At the top of the stairs, he rapped at the door, and after a lengthy pause, was about to rap again when the door at last opened a crack, and Lotting peered out.

Hmmm – no longer that sleek complacent shopkeeper he had previously shown! and one detected an aroma of cheap brandy.

Slanders and defamation! he snarled on seeing Gordon. That is all the comment, I have to make – slamming the door.

Slanders and defamation? Gordon hoisted his eyebrows, descended the stairs once more, took the way out that would not go back through the shop, and looked about for the nearest public house. The Spotted Horse at the next corner should be entirely eligible – had already visited it on the previous occasion – went in. Finding it at this time o' day fairly quiet, leant on the bar, desired a mug of ale, and offered that that landlord should have somewhat for himself.

Slid one of his cards across and said, still no news of Mrs Lotting?

Mine host finished taking a draught of ale, put the tankard down, leant upon the bar, glanced from side to side and said in lowered tones, may be idle talk – Lotting is not the most popular of fellows in the neighbourhood – but the rumour goes round that he done away with her. And there will be urchins go dare one another to shout through his letterbox – fellows that have indulged too freely calling under his window at night –

Gordon raised his eyebrows, took a draught of his own ale, and said, and what do you think?

Why, in my position, do not wish to speak against any man – there are those say he was a cruel husband to her – but then, she was entire invaluable to his business, you may see how trade has fell off already – I say 'tis a mystery and I daresay there is malice and spite in the accusations. He shrugged. But I do not go contradict 'em, either.

He then turned the conversation to enquire whether Gordon was any connexion of Clo Marshall, that so delighted the audiences at the Beaufoyle Arms Song and Supper Rooms, and Gordon admitted that that was, indeed, his elder sister. He was then obliged to listen to expatiation on Clo’s talents for a considerable while.

Ow, give over, do! he thought, in the words of her best-known song, as he finally left. One might be gratified that one’s sister was such a success without wishing to hear quite such fulsome appreciation everywhere one went.

His next recourse was to call upon the Mosstops, to see were they apprized of this rumour that was going around. He called first at the cabinet-makers’ workshop in Islington where he found several of Lilian Lotting’s brothers working. The eldest of 'em – Sid – put by his plane and came to speak to Gordon.

Said they had heard what was being cried about concerning that fiend and would entirely cheer was he took up for murder, but they supposed that could not happen was there no body to be found?

For the family had some apprehension of the state of affairs but for fear of revealing Lilian’s whereabouts to Lotting were prepared to be kept in the dark for the present so that they might not give anything away.

Much about of the like, said Gordon.

Ma, Sid went on, will sigh and say very like our Lilian is now in a better place – was given to expressing frets to the neighbours that would do away with herself.

Will not trouble your mother, said Gordon. That is an excellent fine sideboard you are making – good enough to be displayed at this fine exhibition coming in Hyde Park!

Sid snorted and said, they did as sound work as any, but was not for the like of 'em.

*** 

Society might still be mostly out of Town, but that did not in the least purport that 'twas in any way a slack time for a crack modiste’s business like Mamzelle Bridgette! There was a deal upon hand to be getting on with even were they not able to be about fittings just at present – though, with the Imbremere-Zellen wedding impending, there were certain ladies left their country house-parties for a day or so to take a trip to Town for that purpose!

But it was pleasing, considered Maude Coggin, that they had such a deal of business upon hand. One did perchance smirk a little over the Zellen wedding, carefully not saying that 'twas most exceeding likely that Verena Zellen had been begotten in the discreet chamber at Mamzelle Bridgette’s. But what a quite out of common beauty she had turned out – o, Lady Zellen herself was well enough, and Verena’s sisters were noted beauties, but Verena was remarkable.

Little Jupp pulled a face and said, who would look at the dress?

They will look at the dress, said Mr Maurice, they always do.

And not just the bride’s wedding gown but the matron of honour and the bridesmaids and the ladies of the two families –

Besides that, there were the young ladies making their debuts this Season – and as always, older ladies that had no intention of being dowds and frumps but entirely up to the mark.

Mr Maurice and little Thomasina Jupp would take entire care that Mamzelle Bridgette would retain its reputation as a leader of fashion. Maude Coggin would ensure that the work got done and got done to the standards expected. That included ensuring that there was no repetition of the Mistook Mannequins incident, that had caused Mr Maurice to get into the greatest taking ever seen of all his takings over the years.

But now she had checked that everything was stowed away in proper order, naught lying about that should not be, all ready for the morn. Turned off the gas, locked the door, and trotted down the stairs to the outer door. Saw there was no signs of lights up above, so locked that too behind her as she left.

One of the great advantages of Mrs Mitchell’s lodging house for women that were obliged to go out earning their livings was that, did earning those livings sometimes oblige a woman to come home later than the usual hour of serving dinner, why, Mrs Mitchell would ensure that a portion was kept back and kept hot. An entire boon at this season o’year – for at Maude’s age, did not want to be living upon pies from the barrow, but to sit down and eat the good food that came from the kitchen at Mrs Mitchell’s. O, an entirely superior establishment!

She was in her room and a-loosening of her stays when there was a discreet knock on her door. Leda Hacker looked in and said, had a notion Miss Coggin might relish a restorative glass of madeira?

Now, that was a fine friendly offer! She crossed the corridor to Miss Hacker’s room, where she observed that the latter was in the middle of sorting out her returned laundry. She glanced at it and said with a sigh, off again! – New Year’s gathering at Ammerpark with Lady B.

She poured madeira – the wine and spirits merchants that had had malfeasances in their businesses detected by the Matt Johnson Agency showed appreciative! – and handed a glass to Maude.

That smirked a little and said, dared say Miss Hacker would be seeing Mr Edwards there!

Miss Hacker snorted and said, dared say they would both be kept busy! – but she should mind and tell Miss Coggin, that in the New Year she was like to be out of Town for a while – a case that came up in Manchester that Matt was minded to send her about – one never knew how long such matters would take – but while she thought on’t, would offer that Miss Coggin might take this bottle of madeira – did not like to leave it about where it might be a temptation to Dillie –

Well, that was a very kind and prudent thought! And there would doubtless be fine stories in due course. Maude stretched out her feet before her and conveyed some of the gossip from Mamzelle Bridgette’s.