Succession (25)

Like one of her own novels

Geoff Merrett was not in the least sleepy, but certainly in a most agreeable state of relaxation, and was considering idly upon the advantages of a lover that had studied upon the intricacies of anatomy –

That was somewhat drowsily himself recounting the very lively correspondence that had sprung up in the medical journals about quacks, and perchance there would at last come about some form of sensible regulation of the profession and who could claim the title of doctor.

Geoff opened one eye and looked at James Asterley and grinned lazily. So that was your purpose in going give evidence at the inquest upon Lord Trembourne!

James snorted, and replied primly that had felt 'twas only proper, as the Earl’s usual practitioner, to go aid the coroner’s deliberations –

Geoff felt sure that James had opinions upon the competence of police surgeons, but held his peace on that!

– and indeed these galvanic quacks were an entire menace – sure galvanism had its place, but was not the panacea they claimed, could do a deal of harm even were the results not mortal – 'twas entire the like of the Covery case, when he was playing the fool with substances that might be entire salutary in small doses but quite lethal in larger.

But, enquired Geoff, in the deceptively mild inquisitive fashion that served him so well in court, did you really suppose that the cause of death? He turned to look James full in the face.

The physician smirked. Why, there was a probability. And what could be the benefit to advancing what could only be a hypothesis that he was in those parts seeking carnal pleasures that would have been most deleterious in his state – and either those, or an attack by thieves, had produced a shock.

Geoff bore in mind that James was a professional man with a reputation to maintain and a fashionable practice. Protecting the reputation of the late Earl was also protecting his own, and while there might be gossip and rumours anent Trembourne’s demise – Geoff tried to recall certain vague scandalous hints he had heard in the past – one could imagine Asterley’s very tactful evidence would be borne in mind. For Trembourne had been quite notorious for his hypochondria – given to boring any dinner-party at which he was present about the unwholesomeness of the food served, complaining upon either the excessive warmth or pernicious draughts – wasting the substance of his estates on spaws and foreign quacks –

But are we talking about notorious trials, my dear, said Asterley, leaning over to pick up his watch from the bedside cabinet – damn, I said I would go hold a surgery – for while this had originally been a prudent consideration to be assured the young men for hire did not bring with 'em any undesirable conditions had become rather more than that, medical care that they would otherwise have found hard to come by – how goes your business?

Geoff sighed, shook himself, and sat up. Oh, the most extraordinary development! 'Tis like one of her own novels! Lord Fendersham has come beseech me to undertake Lady Wauderkell’s – as I suppose we must now revert to calling her – defense in the matter of grievous wounding of Miles O’Neill –

Really?

Not just that, said Geoff, but purposes to spend whatever the tally may be to produce the evidence for a bigamy trial of O’Neill –

What, is not the wife somewhere in the United States – Charleston?

Chicago. Indeed, a considerable task, goes consult with Matt Johnson’s agency. A further problem is, were I his wife, and had put that much of a distance between us, and done well in business, should perchance not desire to be reunited with my lawful wedded husband.

James groaned. A dreadful man. Well, I must go be Hippocratic and we may sup later.

Descending to the common areas of the club, Geoff found a lively discussion in progress concerning Lord Saythingport, that was so frequently absent from the premises of late –

Sir Hartley Zellen sighed, took a sip of brandy and said, goes about to find a bride for that lout Talshaw.

Sallington removed the cigarillo from his lips – 'twas becoming quite the affectation with him – grinned, and said, alas, his brother Gillie, he feared, had been somewhat undiplomatic in writing to old friends concerning Talshaw’s escapades in Vienna!

Sir Hartley snorted and said, glad he had his girls all well-married already. Fancied his little Verena – Lady Imbremere – had been hoisting the yellow flag in letters to the young women in her set. Had give her a deal of bother. 

Sallington smirked and said, but at least did not get pushed into the Danube!

Terence Offerton groaned, and added that here was Saythingport, offering to purchase Stromboli of him for that scrub, that had the heaviest hands he had ever seen. Added wistfully that he would have give Stromboli to Leo Harper, did any hear of him? They shook their heads.

Geoff remarked that one supposed that Saythingport aimed at wedding his heir to some young lady that was either a substantial heiress or came with a very pleasing settlement – though – sure, 'twas not his sphere of law – he would anticipate her male relatives or trustees would draw up the terms very careful indeed.

But in the matter of ladies battened upon by rogues, somehow, Geoff had been prevailed upon by Lord Fendersham, that continued to linger in Town, to go interview that poor unfortunate creature, Lady Wauderkell that was currently in custody in Newgate, awaiting trial. She might, it seemed, avoid the most dread penalty, for O’Neill, though sore wounded, remained in life. Indeed, he was well enough to have talked to a reporter.

According to O’Neill – delivered, by the reporter’s account, in a weak and faltering voice – he had been discoursing of future plans with Mrs O’Neill – with a feeble smile and an attempt at laughter, had described the accusation of bigamy as an Irish bull – when she had of a sudden took on the aspect of a Gorgon, picking up the knife, and plunging it into his bosom.

Geoff had spoke of this to Gordon Marshall, that had raised his eyebrows, and remarked that 'twixt O’Neill and the reporter in question, Mr Dickens should look to his laurels in the matter of fiction. He might adorn a tale a little on occasion himself, to bring out an effect, but did not entire fabricate.

So Geoff took himself to Newgate, that he was not unused to, but was still a very lowering experience. One must suppose it was quite horrifying for the lady, that had not been in the business of Newgate novels.

He gleaned a few hints that, did her own station not bring her any advantages, Lord Fendersham’s concern had perchance done somewhat to alleviate the rigours, though sure 'twas still a most desolating place. While the prospect before her was grim.

He was permitted to see her in a small office, even was a warder stationed to watch over their proceedings.

Geoff made himself known to her. Lady Wauderkell seemed in somewhat of a daze – a somnambulist – as she sat down at the table vis-à-vis. He explained why he was there, and conveyed various messages from Lord Fendersham, mentioned that Mr O’Neill was not dead and was given out like to recover –

She gave a deep sigh and looked down at her clasped hands on the table before her. He promised, she said in low tones, he assured me, that we should go and live in Ireland – quietly and peacefully in Ireland as I did before my marriage – the little house of my girlhood in Cork – his fine country property – a simple regular life – o, it was my dream –

She lifted her head. Then there we were – at supper after that dreadful day in court – and he says cheerily, well, we must pack our traps and be off on the Ostend packet – sure, my love, you can write your tales anywhere, we may settle at some congenial place on the Continent – somewhere where I can make a little myself at the tables –

And I saw 'twould all be the same old drudgery, and he had lied – as he had lied about the ring – he told me that he would pawn it, to pay for our flight to Ireland, and once I had recovered my property there, why, could be redeemed, and I might send it back to the Fendershams –

She choked, and sobbed for a while. Geoff handed her a handkerchief – he had come well -supplied.

It was all false, false, lies from the start.

The advocate Mr Merrett was superseded by Geoffrey, that had been moved so often to comfort sad and neglected ladies. Not, of course, in the same fashion! But he had come to apprehend that he had a deep desire to succour misused women. Had he not spent his childhood and youth observing his father’s neglect of his mother – 'twas very like her invalid condition owed somewhat to his failure to provide her with proper medical care – and his sisters? Had given him a vivid picture of the injustices that lay betwixt the sexes that society winked at and did not care to remedy.

He had never liked Lady Wauderkell, but could now see her as a wounded animal that would snap and bite and kick in its pain. First Sir Barnabas, that had been an entire monster, and then the rogue O’Neill.

So Geoff informed Lord Fendersham that he would undertake her defence, while His Lordship informed him that he had discovered that, most convenient, Mrs O’Malley had not yet returned to Ireland – had gone visit some old friend that had become a nun – staying at the convent guesthouse. One might perceive him mightily put about by this Romishness: but had, he went on, obtained the good offices of Matt Johnson’s agency in the matter of finding out what further intelligence she had concerning Mrs O’Neill in Chicago.

That settled, Geoff was about to turn to home when he minded that one of his mother-in-law’s numerous good causes was to do with women prisoners, and he might go find out from her what comforts &C might be obtained for the unfortunate Lady Wauderkell.

He found Lady Jane at home enjoying a little light reading in Greek. On his revealing his mission, she sighed and said, that dreadful man O’Neill! Sure, the dear late Admiral would have been fuming about horsewhips. And a wife in California – does not, alas, come as a great surprize.

She groaned over the state of Newgate – o, 'tis not as bad as when Mrs Fry first went visit, but one would wish the authorities might provide some more modern provision for women – certainly, Geoffrey, I will be about the matter, poor woman.

She conveyed him various messages for Janey and they parted on remarkable good terms.