Imogen Robertson - Anatomy of Murder

The boy got unsteadily to his feet. “Thank you, madam.”

She took a great breath and wiped her eyes. Then stood and, opening the door, stepped forward into the shop, leading Mr. Meredith with her.

“Stephen! Come here!”

Her son looked up from where he was throwing jacks in the corner with Lord Thornleigh and came obediently to her side. “Stephen, I want you to meet Mr. Meredith. He was one of your father’s young gentlemen on the Splendor .”

Stephen put out his hand and shook Mr. Meredith’s with great vigor. “French spies killed my father.”

“I know, Stephen. I was very sorry to hear it,” Meredith replied.

Stephen looked up at him, narrowed his eyes and said cautiously, “When I am older I shall be a sailor too, like you. May I come and sail on your ship?”

Meredith glanced up at Harriet and saw her nod her head.

“You may, and I shall take very good care of you, young Westerman. I promise you.”

Mr. Palmer appeared from the doorway, exchanged bows with the company then left, guiding Meredith before him.

Mrs. Westerman retreated into the parlor and did not emerge for some time.

Morgan neatened a stack of songbooks on the counter. “I shall miss her when she goes, that Mrs. Westerman. As fine a lady as ever I’ve met.”

Graves looked up from his figures. “What, ready to desert me already, Morgan? Do you wish to go and buy a place in the country and live like a lady?”

“Humph. Not likely. I’ll be your manager here, and then I can visit Issy’s grave whenever I take a notion to do so. And Mr. Leacroft too from time to time, when Lady Susan wants company.”

“Thank you.”

“I should think so too. You’ll waste away all Miss Chase’s wedding portion, the deals you and Crumley have been making on paper. Then all your children will go hungry.”

Stephen laughed, and they looked up to see Lady Susan making faces for him, and her brother giggling. Graves swallowed and Morgan put her hand on his sleeve.

“It goes on, Mr. Graves; whether we will it or no, life tumbles forward.”