‘Because you stood up for her?’
‘Because I helped her by giving her my suit. He was accusing her of stealing it and I couldn’t let him believe that. She would have let him think it, rather than implicate me.’
‘Oh,’ said Thea. ‘I’m so sorry, Kit.’
Speckle nodded in acknowledgement. ‘We’ll manage. Just more worried about Frankie. Neither I nor Jem have had any word but we will be making enquiries around town of course.’
‘Of course,’ said Thea. ‘And do let me know if I can be of any assistance.’ She checked herself – why would a duchess be looking for a doctor’s gardener? ‘Discreetly of course.’
‘Of course,’ said Speckle.
‘It’s only been a few hours,’ said Jem, hopeful. ‘I wish she’d come back here.’
‘And why wouldn’t she?’ asked Thea, looking between them both. ‘You’re all friends?’
Speckle and Jem nodded. ‘But she’s proud and always says she won’t take charity. She’s too stubborn.’
‘That I can believe,’ said Thea, gripping the fabric of her dress with both hands. What will she do?’ All the excitement of the morning had ebbed away, and now she only felt worry. Jem and Speckle shared another look. Speckle shrugged.
‘We won’t know until she decides to come back or we find her. She’ll manage in the meantime, she’s tough, is Frankie.’
But there was a concern in his eyes that worried Thea terribly.
Chapter 10
December 1764
There were many parties in December. Thea felt each one keenly. Her mood was almost worse than before she’d kissed Frankie. It felt like there had been a little shot at happiness that had been dashed before it started. Now she was back to square one. No Martha, no gardener, little stimulation, her potential waning. She spent as much time as possible with Musket and the children, because they made her feel better.
She made herself go to the anatomy lectures just in case Frankie turned up, but there was no sign. In the day, she went to museums, shows and lectures to distract herself and often took the children and Harriet. Mr Fenwick had a novel style of teaching outside of the classroom by using experiences and she went along whenever she could.
‘Well,’ said Harriet, putting her hands on her hips. ‘That was an interesting one.’ They stood on the pavement in the fading light outside the theatre, another frosty evening heralded by their visible breath. Thea checked her pocket watch. It still reminded her of Martha and made her stomach sour, but it was so useful and practical she was loath to give it up.
‘Almost four o’clock,’ she said. ‘He went on for three hours. The children will be starving.’ She looked back at the oak framed door and the sign that announced Doctor Deighton’s entertainment.
‘She was up there for an awfully long time,’ said Samantha, her little face gazing up at Thea from where their hands joined. The cobbles glistened with freezing crystals beneath her feet.
‘She was, wasn’t she darling,’ said Thea. ‘But I’m sure she was safe.’
‘I liked it better than the mathematical pig, though,’ said Samantha thoughtfully.
‘You did?’ asked Mr Fenwick, throwing up his hands extravagantly and feigning surprise. ‘But the pig could count up to sixanddo sums.’
‘Ican count up to six and more,’ said Samantha in such a matter-of-fact way that it made Thea smile. ‘And so can Edward, usually. I don’t see why we need a pig to do it?’
‘Good point,’ said Mr Fenwick, giving up and winking at Thea. He made her feel better too. He was a little bit round and a great deal theatrical. The children had taken to him instantly and Thea felt herself calmed by his enthusiasm and steady presence. He and Annie made the perfect teaching team for the children, and it meant that Annie could have an afternoon off every fortnight. The pseudo-scientific entertainment of Doctor Deighton in Leicester Square was the perfect opportunity to entertain the children and educate them at the same time. Even if it was a little… unconventional.
‘Do you think it was actually his daughter?’ asked Harriet, stepping towards her own carriage. ‘The girl stuck to the ceiling today, I mean – not last week’s pig.’
‘He had to be sure if it was,’ said Thea. ‘There’d be hell to pay with his wife if he dropped her from the ceiling.’
‘I suppose he must be confident in his magnets,’ said Fenwick, as Annie ushered the children into the carriage. ‘We shall have an excellent session playing with iron nails and parchment tomorrow. Your children really are bright buttons, Your Grace. Samantha can count well past fifty already.’ Thea beamed as she watched them pack into the space.
A silence fell between Thea and Harriet as they went to say goodbye. Thea stared at the road, reality slipping back in. She would be home soon. Alone with her thoughts, again. She was almost coming to appreciate the distraction of the King’s drawing rooms.
‘Thea,’ said Harriet, both tenderness and caution in her voice.
‘I’m alright,’ said Thea, but she didn’t move. The idea of another night in the house, with only the staff for company, was not something she relished.
