Elise brightened. “Oh, could we?” she begged Minerva. “We would be back well before dinner, and surely Lady Talbot would give us use of the carriage again.”
Minerva chewed her own lower lip. “Six o’clock, you say?”
“I am confident I will have all that you want then.”
“I suppose so. I hope this lace is as wonderful as you say, since this will be a lot of trouble.”
“You will think it some of the best lace you have seen.”
Minerva nodded at Elise, who grinned and clapped her hands.
With the appointment arranged, she and Elise left the shop. “We will return at five thirty, and hope that we see that agent here.” She looked over at Elise, who had played her role very well. “Lady Talbot?”
“He seemed impressed with the way the lace had brought him finer patrons. I think he would wait all evening for our return now.”
“We have both come up in the world. I suppose now I will have to hire a carriage too, since you said we would arrive in one.”
“You probably should.”
“Are you enjoying this assignment, Elise?”
“Oh, yes. Very much, thank you.”
* * *
That night, washed and dressed for bed, Minerva sat at her chamber’s writing desk in the coaching inn outside Brighton. In the reflection of the looking glass Elise sat on the bed, brushing her long hair.
She dipped her pen in ink and began writing a letter to Mrs. Oliver.
I have all the proof that you will need to convince your husband that his agent is betraying his trust. I saw the agent myself at Mr. Seymour’s shop, when he delivered at least two score sets of cuffs and collars. Mr. Seymour sells them for 2s 5p, which is far less than the 3s up the lane. I bought four sets, including one that your husband does not import. This indicates that the agent is importing on his own or has found another wholesaler of which your husband is unaware.
I will provide a full report, along with the purchased sets upon my return to London.
She remembered how Mrs. Oliver kept saying she was not interfering. Mrs. Oliver might need more than a written report to garner her husband’s attention.He would probably mock her if the proof were not overwhelming.
She wished Mrs. Oliver did not have to live with a man who did that. Algernon used to mock too, anytime she voiced any kind of opinion. The nasty sarcasm meant that in a short time she never spoke to him unless he asked her a question. It took several years to realize that had been his goal all along.
She continued writing.If you desire it, I will also meet with your husband to describe my visit here and what I saw and learned. With such testimony I do not think he will disregard your concerns.
Let the lout try and mock Minerva Hepplewhite.
You can tell your husband I am an acquaintance who frequents Brighton to visit my elderly mother and chanced upon these other cuffs, if you prefer. He need never know you engaged my services.
I expect to return to town by Friday. Another inquiry will keep me away until then.
She signed, folded, and sealed the letter. Tomorrow she would post it.
She stood and carried the lamp to the bedside and folded back the covers. Elise scrambled under them.
“Where are we going tomorrow?” she asked. “You were examining the county map very closely at dinner.”
“We are going to a town called Stevening. It is perhaps an hour or two carriage ride away.”
“We don’t have a carriage.”
“I will hire one.”
“Such a lady I am these days, with your nice pelisse and bonnet and now a hired carriage.”
