Page 46 of A Foolish Endeavor

Nancy lowered her eyes. “I surely did, ma’am.”

“This is not the first establishment in which people have behaved thus towards me today. Would you happen to know the meaning behind it?”

“I am very much afraid that I do, Mrs. Kendall,” she said in a low voice.

Lavinia felt a well of anxiety in her chest. “And, will you be so kind as to tell me?”

There was a pause, as Nancy continued to keep her eyes lowered. Finally, she said, “Perhaps you would like to come to the tea shop where I can tell you in a less… public environment.” Without waiting for an answer, Nancy turned away and walked towards the tea shop. After a moment, Lavinia told Ellen, “Wait for me by that bench. I won’t be long,” and followed.

When she and Nancy were seated in a secluded corner of the shop, Lavinia quietly asked, “What do you know?”

“Would you care for a cup of tea, first?” Nancy asked, but Lavinia firmly shook her head, so she took a deep breath and began.

“Everyone is aware of the illness of your son and your devotion to him, Mrs. Kendall. But your dedication to him may be the reason that—well, it was a bit over a month ago that your husband came into town one day and went into the tavern across the way, there,” she gestured subtly out the window.

“So? That is hardly a scandal.”

“No, indeed, but—he returned the same week, and then again several more times. It was said he was becoming quite a regular patron.”

“How odd—Miles is not one to drink overly.”

“Yes, but you see—” Nancy broke off, clenching her hands tightly together. “Oh, Mrs. Kendall, are you certain you wish to hear this? I take no pleasure in the retelling, I assure you. It’s only that—well, I am so fond of Gilbert and your family, I think it unfair for you to be ignorant of the situation.”

Lavinia felt her heart pound in her chest. “Situation? Of what are you speaking?”

“Men who frequent the establishment say they saw your husband become… friendly with a certain server there—name of Daisy. Quite friendly, if you catch my meaning.”

“I am not certain I do,” Lavinia said stiffly. “Pray, continue.”

Nancy turned anguished eyes to her companion. She leaned in close and spoke in a whisper. “He was seen going upstairs with Daisy to her room there.”

Lavinia gasped and clapped a gloved hand to her mouth. “You cannot be speaking the truth. This is naught but cruel and idle gossip. People can be so jealous, you know.”

“I wish that it were, for your sake, ma’am, but the day your esteemed father-in-law followed young Mr. Kendall into town was when it all became public. Mr. Kendall went looking for your husband, and when he could not find him among the tavern’s patrons, was told to go upstairs. There he found him… with Daisy. It was quite a scene, from what I heard.”

Lavinia could hardly catch her breath. She felt her whole body begin to tremble and tears came to her eyes. She pressed a hand to her mouth.

“When was this?” she choked out.

“A week or so before Mrs. Morton gave birth. I am so very sorry, Mrs. Kendall, but pray, remember—you did ask me to be honest with you. I can say, however, that your husband has not been seen back at the establishment since the… unpleasantness.”

“That is cold comfort,” Lavinia muttered. She stared off in the distance a while, then gave herself a shake and looked Nancy in the eyes. “I thank you for your honesty, painful though it is to hear. I will bid you good day now, Miss Slade.”

She rose and, holding her head high, exited the tea shop, collected Ellen, and went home, speaking not a word the entire walk back to Clayton House.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Lavinia entered Clayton House with a calm deliberation which somewhat surprised her, considering the news she had just learned. She had always imagined that she would become hysterical should she ever hear Miles had been unfaithful. Instead, she merely instructed Ellen to find her husband and ask him to meet her in the nursery. Then she went upstairs, where she found Susan playing with Dickie. Lavinia asked Susan to take her son out to the garden, and then sat, her eyes never leaving the door.

Soon, Miles arrived, entering with a broad smile. He walked over and kissed his wife on the top of the head.

“Good afternoon, darling, did you find what you needed in Doddington?”

“I found something for the baby, yes, and a bonnet for myself. I also came away with something quite unpleasant that I never expected to,” Lavinia said in a level voice.

“Oh? What occurred? Did you learn the price of bonnets and ribbons going up? No matter the cost. I wanted you to have something pretty.” He pulled a cushioned bench over to his wife and sat, placing a hand over one of hers.

“No, my discovery was not about the price of ribbons. It was that my husband has been consorting with a tavern doxy and the whole of Doddington knows of it.” She turned a hard face to Miles. “Do not bother to deny it. The smirks and knowing glances of the women I met in town today were my first hint that something was amiss. Then, I had it confirmed by someone who told me the whole story, including how your father—” she broke off to take a ragged breath, “—caught you with her. In the very act.” She could not keep the tears from filling her eyes as she asked in a harsh whisper, “How could you, Miles? How could you?”