Succession (23)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Very reliable in disposing quickly and tidily

Marie Allard did not know how long she had been sitting there, trying not to look at the thing lying on the floor of her business premises. Such an event had never happened before: oh, there had been the occasional fainting, one fellow that took a fit, but naught that could not be brought round with some sprinkling of water – application of smelling-salts – a glass of the good brandy she kept by for such emergencies.

But this.

It was not just ruin to her business – she imagined peelers, courtrooms, judges frowning upon her –

The memory of judges writhing under her lash was nothing to cheer her in this dire circumstance.

There was a knock on the door. She kept silent.

Another knock, and then a faint noise, and the door opened.

Entered Leda Hacker, dressed unusual flash as Larry Harper.

She gave a little sigh and said, do I fit a lock, 'twill be a lock I can open myself at necessity – here is Binnie gets into one of her takings that you have not yet returned, and are supposed to be going out to celebrate Nat Barron’s marriage –

Oh. Her gaze had at last fallen upon the body on the floor. Quite dead? She fell to her knees to take the signs. Indeed so.

She sat back on her heels and said, is’t not the Earl of Trembourne? Sure, all supposed his maunderings over being a sad sickly fellow an entire chimaera, one might fancy he is gratified that they are proved mistook.

She stood. Well. I fancy I can persuade Thad Mallen to convey him to some part where he may be found and no suspicion fall upon you – should not take long – here, let us just go see what is in his pockets, so that may look as if he was robbed –

Marie shivered, and put her hands over her face. Leda looked up at her from the task and said, sure, I can undertake it, doubt he has much about him – no, just a little coin, some banknotes – watch on a chain – did not sport a deal of rings, only the signet, that I will leave, for 'twould be somewhat of an effort to remove it – fine silk handkerchief – boxes of pills from some quack – I will leave those –

Now, she said, standing again, I must leave you here while I go fetch Thad, but before I do, should make you take a drop of brandy, that I daresay you will have about the place – Marie nodded, and pointed – here you are, drink it slowly –

She patted Marie on the shoulder and said, would be back as quick as maybe.

Marie, having finished the brandy, sat with her arms about her until – sure, indeed 'twas remarkable quick – Leda returned with Thad Mallen.

Conveyed him the coin and banknotes, adding, will pass the watch to Grigori, that will be able to send it off out of harm’s way – now, do you take him, as one that half-carries a fellow far-gone in drink, up towards the Rookeries, and leave him about there –

Thad nodded. He was very carefully keeping his eyes away from the furnishings of the premises.

And then, said Leda, we all go carouse to the health of Nat and his bride.

Thad and his burden left, and Leda dusted her hands together, saying, time to bustle! Marie minded that when Leda had been Bet Bloggs, might have come across similar situations when working for Laffen, or been instructed by the old rogue on what to do should such befall.

She frowned, and drank the last dregs of the brandy, and remarked that Thad seemed very obliging to Leda, did he have some notion there?

Leda giggled, and said, sure Thad was more comfortable to think of her as Larry these days, and what 'twas, was that he had hopes of her advancing his interest with a respectable woman he took a liking to –

Thad?

Why, here he is, trusted by Nat, a most reliable fellow –

Marie started to giggle. La, very reliable in disposing quickly and tidily of some fellow you wish to see gone! A very neat worker, I hear tell – The fit of giggles overcame her and she fell into hysterical whoops that Leda observed for a few minutes and then terminated with a sharp slap to the face.

A little o’ that is good and relieves the spirit, said Leda severely, but we have business to be about. Put on your cloak and bonnet.

She escorted Marie, that found her legs somewhat shaky, to her little house, where she was greeted very ardent by both Binnie and Pompey.

Why, said Marie, stroking Binnie’s hair, there’s a silly fussing wench. Was merely a little delayed – will go now and dress suitable for these revels –

Entirely nothing, agreed Leda, but I told her 'twas time to bustle a little, one does not want to offend Nat Barron by looking dilatory.

She came and assisted Marie in changing her garments, for she found herself unwonted clumsy in the matter – she, that was always so neat-handed! – looked at her, and said, her complexion was a great advantage, did not look ghostly pale, doubted anyone would take any note, besides being far more interested in the drink and fine vittles and making up to Nat and his bride.

So, after Marie had kissed Binnie goodbye, and exhorted her to go to bed like a good girl and not to wait up, but go sleep, they departed.

She was glad of the escort of Larry into Seven Dials, that contrived to an air of one that, though not over-tall, was not to be meddled-with. But sure the streets were very quiet the night, when Nat Barron went celebrate his marriage to Kaminski’s niece! Black Tom’s missus, Marie fancied, had been up cooking since well before daybreak – there had been baking in anticipation – a deal of assorted liquors coming in to Black Tom’s –

Here they were – the downstairs part was closed, to deter any idle visitors, and the party gathered in the large upstairs room, where the two parrots were a-sitting on their perch, billing and cooing and occasional offering their comments on the proceedings. A deal of people – not just those of the locality – Ezra Cohen with some of his boys, likewise Abe Anglesmith – law, Mr Ferraby and his learned friend – and there was Maurie –

Maurie, his sister had the notion, could quite smell trouble.

As Joan shoved glasses of punch into Marie and Leda’s hands, Maurie came mincing over to 'em, a welcoming smile on his face. Marie gulped punch – only after, wondering was that sensible on top of brandy.

Maurie kissed her cheek, whispering, what’s afoot? Leda kicked his ankle. Do you wait until 'tis a civil time to depart these revels, and escort your sister home, an entire proper proceeding. This is not the place.

He lowered his magnificent, enviable, eyelashes in agreement.

You should, he said, go congratulate bride and groom.

So, he conveyed 'em through the crowd to where Nat and Ludmilla were sitting in state. Marie swiftly glanced at Ludmilla and observed that her expression when she looked at her husband was fond – even doating – so Nat must be treating her well in these early days.

Leda, in character as Larry, bowed over Mrs Barron’s hand and kissed it most extreme genteel, presenting her with a set of jade beads, quaintly carved and said by the Chinese to be exceeding auspicious. Nat looked gratified at these attentions, made civil to both of 'em, but they did not linger, for there were many wished to demonstrate their proper feeling towards the couple.

As they turned, Thad came in at the door, and by an exchange of glances with Leda – nothing so obvious as a nod o’the head – indicated that the job was done. Leda let out a little sigh. She looked sideways at Marie and began, 'twould be prudent did you eat somewhat –

When up came Maurie with a plateful. No more punch until this is done, he said.

La, Maurice Allard, what do you think I am?

Somewhat shook, he said in low tones.

Leda, or rather, Larry, went about to chatter and flirt and in due course to dance with Lil and Joan and other old acquaintance.

Even offered to dance with Marie – for the fellows in Seven Dials seemed to have some fears that in the middle of the measure she would pull out a whip and hesitated to ask her –

Will look well, said Maurie, so Marie conceded, and was perchance – after another glass or so of punch – less graceful than she might have liked, but sure 'twas all somewhat of a rout on the floor.

Eventual, later than she would have liked, came about late enough that would not seem exceptional for her to leave, and for her brother to offer to escort her. Leda kissed her hand, and punched Maurie on the shoulder – Maurie winced – and said, would come by the morn was there any news to report. But not to fret – proceed about her usual ways –

Marie snorted, her spirits elevated by several glasses of punch.

That she found caused her gait to be somewhat uncertain on the way home, was glad to have Maurie to lean upon, and to see that he had a stout stick in his hand.

Pompey made very enthusiastic greetings when they arrived at her door, and she was relieved to observe that Binnie had gone to bed.

Will just go peep and make sure she is asleep –

You do so, and I will go brew some tea, for you have had entire too much to drink, said Maurie in his severest tones.

But there was Binnie, slumbering entire peaceful – Marie smiled, and pulled up the quilt a little.

In the parlour, Maurie had stirred up the fire, and had tea already made, and was staring crossly into the flames. So, what is this ado?

She told him.

He sat plump down. Trembourne.

And I had not laid finger nor whip upon him, neither – was still cringing and groveling and begging, as he ever commenced with, and then of a sudden commences upon groaning and shuddering and at first I thought, ‘tis a seizure, but did not come round, and grew cold.

Maurie sighed. Well, here is Bet – Leda – quite cancels any debt she may suppose she still owes me, for fixing this. I am indeed grateful to her – very neatly managed – cannot suppose Thad will peach – no, admirably handled. Though, he went on, should things have turned out otherwise, I am like to think I could have got you a fine lawyer to defend you in court –

La, I suppose you have interest with Mr Geoffrey Merrett!

Maurie looked a little took aback and said, the very one.

She looked at him and grinned and said, o, that matter of unhappy wives he was a-tupping of in Mamzelle Bridgette’s discreet chamber I daresay gives you some advantage with him.

Maurie scowled. But looks like will not be needed. He rose, and said, with that settled, would be about his departure.

They embraced.