Jimmy had filled out and was now well over six feet tall. He was also exceptionally handsome, and she found herself actually blushing slightly as he stepped forward and gave a small bow. ‘Miss Chastity, it’s a pleasure to see you,’ he grinned, making an effort to speak as the Duke of Blackmore had taught him. Then, turning towards the Reverend, he added, ‘And you, Sir.’ He looked around. ‘Is Percy not here?’
There was a small silence. Jimmy waited for a second, then, with a small cough turned to his companion. ‘This is Mrs. Lizzy Fletcher.’ he revealed. ‘She’s come up to London to see her brother. She wa…’
Augustus Shackleford interrupted with a snort. ‘So that’s why the chucklehead practically had an apoplexy. ‘You can come out now, Percy, the widow’s not here for you.’
Lizzy Fletcher narrowed her eyes at the Reverend’s words. ‘That’s right Percy Noon, I ain’t ‘ere for you. You’ve got a bleedin’–beggin’ yer pardon Miss–‘igh opinion of yerself if you think I’d come all the way to London chasin’ your skinny arse.’
Jimmy winced and hurriedly interrupted as the curate sheepishly stepped out from the side of the bookcase. ‘I was takin’ Mrs. Fletcher to her brother’s house,’ he explained. ‘But I…I couldn’t leave her in the ‘ands of the gallows birds roaming the streets around Whitechapel.’
‘Of course not,’ Chastity declared, aghast. ‘Please Mrs. Fletcher, do sit down and make yourself comfortable.’
After one last glare at the flushing Percy, Lizzy Fletcher sniffed and sat down carefully on the edge of her seat. ‘It’s very kind of you to allow me to rest ‘ere awhile,’ she conceded. Once I’ve got me breath back, I’ll be on me way.’
‘We cannot possibly allow you to go wandering around the streets of London in the dark,’ protested Chastity. ‘Especially not Whitechapel.’ She paused before adding delicately. ‘You’re certain your brother has his residence in that particular neighbourhood?’
‘It ain’t the best, I’ll grant yer,’ Lizzy sighed, ‘but I don’t recall it bein’ quite that bad last time I was ‘ere. But then I had Charlie, so likely I din’t pay much attention.’
‘Is that the name of your husband, Mrs. Fletcher?’ Reverend Shackleford enquired carefully.
Lizzy gave a tight-lipped nod.
‘And is he…?’
‘Dead. I reckon anyway.’ Percy visibly flinched at the widow’s abrupt response.
Glancing over at his white-faced curate, the Reverend endeavoured to look suitably sorrowful before adding. ‘Err, you don’t seem entirely certain of his demise, Mrs. Fletcher.’
‘I ain’t seen ‘is body, it’s true,’ Lizzy answered with a gruff sigh. ‘But ‘e’s been gone these two years now…’ She cast another indignant glare towards Percy before adding, ‘An’ ‘e gave me ‘is gold tooth. Pried it right out of ‘is mouth afore ‘e left. I reckon that meant ‘e din’t think ‘e’d be comin’ back…’ She suddenly paused and shook her head.
To his infinite surprise, Percy felt a sudden urge to spring to his feet and comfort the overcome widow. He gripped the arms of his chair in case his feet should decide to do something foolish.
A second later, Lizzy gave a small sniffle and looked back up. ‘I ain’t touched it since the day the bastard walked out,’ she sighed, ‘but I reckon it’s time I put it to good use. That’s why I’m ‘ere. My brother knows people, an’ can tell me who to sell it to.’
‘Couldn’t you just ‘ave sent him the tooth to sell on your behalf?’ asked Jimmy with a frown.
Lizzy gave a derisory snort. ‘Did I mention ‘e was a lying bastard who’d sell ‘is own mother fer a shillin’? No, I needed to see ‘im face to face. I could always tell when ‘e was shammin’ it.’
‘Forgive me,’ Chastity faltered, ‘but he doesn’t sound like a very nice man.’
‘That’s cos ‘e ain’t. Me ma thought bein’ in the Navy might ‘ave given ‘im a few values, but he were no better when ‘e came out. Still a bloody ivory turner.’
‘He was in the Navy?’ Reverend Shackleford asked, intrigued in spite of himself. ‘Did he serve under the Duke of Blackmore?’
Lizzy nodded. Along with Charlie. That’s how we met. They both came out at the same time. Sixteen or seventeen years ago now.’
‘Which ship did they serve on?’ asked Percy abruptly. Lizzy narrowed her eyes, and for a second, he feared she wouldn’t answer. Then she shrugged. ‘ThePhee… something I think it was called. They never really talked much about it.’
‘What’s your brother’s name?’
Lizzy blinked in surprise at the unexpected brusqueness of the clergyman’s question. Uncertainly, she looked between Reverend Shackleford and Percy.
‘‘Is name’s John,’ she answered hesitantly after a few seconds. ‘John Witherspoon. But everyone calls him Withers.’
∞∞∞
‘I think we should tell his lordship.’ Percy’s voice was adamant.
‘Now let’s not be too hasty to cry rope, lad. I say we take old Lizzy to visit with her brother and see how the land lies. That way we can present Cottesmore with all the facts.’
