Edward Marston - The Amorous Nightingale

'Quite rightly. Mary Hibbert was in service with her.'

'The real surprise came from her choice of companion.'

'It wasn't her husband, was it?'

'No, Henry,' said his brother, 'but it was a Bartholomew Gow. He goes by the name of Martin Eldridge. I think that this experience has taught our nightingale the hazards of consorting with exalted company. She may be better off with a humble actor.' He gave a sympathetic smile. 'It's going to be a huge disappointment for Jasper Hartwell.'

'Why?'

'He's so infatuated with her that he conceived the absurd notion of somehow dissolving her marriage in order to make her his wife.'

Henry was aghast. 'Jasper Hartwell married to Harriet Gow! That's obscene, Christopher. It's like the Dean of Gloucester marrying the Queen of Sheba. In fact, I'd say that Father probably has more chance of being accepted than the idiotic Jasper ever will.'

'I'm sure that Mrs Gow will let him down lightly.'

'What sane woman would marry a ginger periwig on legs?'

'Don't mock my client. I need him.'

'I know what I need,' said Henry lecherously, 'but how can I have it when I'm in this condition? It's so unfair. I've just survived three hours of Father in homiletic vein. I need someone to cheer me up.'

'The lady will be here in due course, Henry.'

'Lady?'

'Well, you don't think I forgot to mention you, did you?' said Christopher. 'Harriet Gow showered Mr Bale and me with thanks. I didn't want you to miss out on the praise so I told her how you took a dreadful beating on her behalf.'

'And?'

'She insisted on coming to see you this very evening.'

'Harriet Gow?' Henry was glowing. 'Alone in my bedchamber?'

'Just the two of you.'

'Wonder of wonders!'

'Ask her nicely and she might even sing you a lullaby.'

'That would thrill me more than anything else.'

'What would?'

'To listen to my own amorous nightingale.'

A mischievous thought put a broad grin on Christopher's face.

'We could invite Father here to share the experience,' he said.

Henry Redmayne laughed so much that his ribs ached for an hour.