His sympathetic face made Georgiana uncomfortable.She brought their consultation quickly to an end.She found no reason to linger.She wondered briefly if she could ask him to tea but quickly realized that that wouldn’t do.She did not know how to go about making friends.She thought that perhaps Mrs.Potter might invite him.
He walked her to the door, chatting about town matters and mutual acquaintances.“Did I hear that Andrew Mallet has traveled from Cambridge?”
“That is correct Mr.Peabody.He is gone.I don’t know where he went.Do you?”
“Goodness me, no.I am simply delighted that he is well enough to travel.We seem to have finally corrected his problems also.”The little surgeon beamed with pride.
Ten minutes of vigorous walking brought Georgiana to Sheep Street and what was likely to be her new home.The estate agent, a rotund gentleman with jovial manner, sharp wits, and thinning hair, chatted with Geoffrey Dunning.
“Good afternoon, Mr.Dunning.Has your grandmother dragooned you on my behalf?”
“She told me about your dilemma, and I am only too happy to be of assistance.”He smiled fondly at his grandmother.If Mrs.Potter needed a man’s assurances, Georgiana would let her have it and try notto resent it.
“Shall we be about our business then?Mr.Wilson, what do you have to show me?”
“A trim little house, my lady.You will find no dry rot, no vermin, and no damp.”He rocked on his toes briefly.“It is my obligation to warn you, however, that it isn’t at all what you are used to.”
“I understand, sir.That is as I expect.”
“To give much better news, the sale of Helsington may bring even more then we discussed.Colonel Warrington is quite, quite anxious to purchase a comfortable home such as you offer, and you could–”
“Excellent, Mr.Wilson.I will be happy to get more money from the sale, but I am determined to conserve those funds by spending as little as possible on a new residence.Shall we take a look?”
Mrs.Potter, concern in every line of her face, took her arm and entered the narrow blue door behind her.Georgiana was grateful the woman made no attempt to dissuade her from her decision.
The little house didn’t disappoint.The lower floor kitchen had stone walls and a stone floor.A large fireplace dominated one wall and a stairway ran along the other, the one shared with the neighbor.She would learn to cook for herself in this place.The upper story had two rooms: a small sitting room and a tinier sleeping chamber.She would bring her work here.She would write and be productive, if notfruitful.
The house, white with blue shutters, was situated farther back than its neighbors, leaving space for a tiny garden in front, one surrounded by a stone wall.It would have fit inside Helsington’s stables with room to spare, but it would be enough for her.
Her head almost reached the top of the front door.She watched Geoff Dunning duck his head to go out, and it struck her that this house was even smaller than Andrew’s house.It lacked his magnificent study.She suppressed all memory of the man.This house was enough.
“It is exactly as you described it, Mr.Wilson.Thank you.”She turned to Geoffrey Dunning who inspected the foundation with earnest attention.She wondered if the amiable University Fellow even knew what to look for, but she humored him.“Mr.Dunning?Do you see any problem.”
“No, my lady.If you are determined to take this step, this house is sound enough.The roof, I think, ought to be looked at, but the rest will give you no problems.”
“Very well then, Mr.Wilson, I believe we have a contract.You may tell your buyer that Helsington is his as soon as I can arrange to move.Shall we say one week?”The little gentleman beamed at her and produced the documents for signature.He left her in the care of her friends with a key in her hand and a knotin her stomach.
She forced a smile.“Well then, Mrs.Potter.It is done.I need only lay in firewood, sweep the hearth, scrub the kitchen, sort through my belongings, and arrange an estate sale.It is good that I kept the services of at least one footman for the end!”
She looked around her tiny sitting room and fought panic.“Do you think the Colonel might want my furnishings?”
Edwina Potter said nothing.She leaned over and gave Georgiana a hug.Over her shoulder, Georgiana saw Dunning’s look of disapproval.He would have to get over it.
Dunning looked at her intently and colored slightly.“Tell me, my lady, have you heard from Andrew Mallet.He is gone over a month now.”
“No, I haven’t.The knocker is still gone from his house.”
“You went by Andrew’s house, Georgiana?”Mrs.Potter looked bemused.
“It was on my way to Mr.Peabody’s premises, Mrs.Potter,” Georgiana’s voice sounded tight.“I merely passed through Little Saint Mary’s Lane.”And lingered a moment.“Have you had word from him, Mr.Dunning?”
“Mercy no!Mallet left without warning.His departure was quite sudden.We had spent an entertaining afternoon not long before researching Praxilla’s cucumbers and the habits of the Greeks in the library at Trinity.”
The image of the two of them pouring over Praxilla in the hallowed halls of the Wren library amused her.
“He quite turned my thinking on that subject.Turned it around completely.Pity others can’t see it.Who is to say what subject is fit for a poet?Not I.There was another, too, something about cockleshells and newly hatched chickens.”
“Hedyle.We don’t have much of hers.She didn’t leave enough for us to know her meaning.”
