Meg Alexander - The Passionate Friends

Judith was quick to sense his concern. “Are you worried about her? The doctor gave you a good report, I hope?”

“Prudence is well enough at present, though I can’t persuade her to rest. Judith, I’d be grateful if you’d have a word with her. She is accustomed to be so active, but you are always a calming influence.”

“I’ll do my best,” she promised.

“Then come and see her now.” Elizabeth jumped to her feet. “Oh, I had forgot. We’ve ordered tea in the salon. The boys will be starving…” She held out her hands to her daughter, and led the way across the hall.

Under their father’s watchful eye, the boys were on their best behaviour, and to Elizabeth’s evident relief, the carpets suffered no disaster. Her own girls ate little, and were clearly flagging after their walk in the park.

“Time for bed, I think,” their mother said firmly. “Come, Judith, shall you care to see them bathed?”

Her pride in her children was evident, and Perry smiled as the little party left the room.

“Judith is such a dear,” he said warmly. “She’s looking better today, I think, don’t you?”

“She’s at her best with children,” Sebastian agreed. “I was surprised to see her here this afternoon. When did she arrive?”

“It must have been a couple of hours ago.” Dan’s attempt at a casual reply was unconvincing.

“Why, you sly dog, you’ve been keeping her to yourself. What will the dreaded Truscott say to that, I wonder?”

“She tells me that he’s gone away…”

“For good, I hope?”

“No such luck.” Dan’s glance at his companions was filled with meaning. “He is attending to some family business, so I hear.”

“I wonder if we’ve flushed him out?” Perry’s eyes began to sparkle. “Odd behaviour…I mean, to leave so suddenly. Don’t you agree, Sebastian?”

His brother frowned. “There may be a good reason. Why must you insist on jumping to the worst conclusions?”

“Don’t like the look of the chap.”

“I didn’t know you’d seen him. You don’t accompany Elizabeth to his sermons, do you?”

“Just thought I’d take a look at him on the night we heard the news.”

“Perry, you are the outside of enough! Did I not warn you not to make enquiries in his parish?”

“I didn’t.” Perry looked injured. “I stood at the back of the church and watched him ranting from the pulpit.”

“Then you’ll oblige me by leaving it at that.”

“You’ve heard nothing more?” Dan intervened.

“No, but he is being followed.” Sebastian gazed at the ceiling. “I agree that his disappearance is a little strange, especially at this time, but we must take great care not to alarm him.”

“Why so?” Dan was unconvinced.

“Must I explain to you young hot-heads? If the man’s dealings are above-board we shall be guilty of unwarranted interference in his affairs.”

“And if not?”

Sebastian hesitated, considering his words with care. “Our quarry may take fright and disappear.”

“Good riddance!” Dan insisted warmly. “So much the better for Judith!”

“No, Dan, think! If he is the villain you believe him to be, will he give up the chance to get his hands upon a fortune?”

Dan paled. “You mean…you mean that we may be putting Judith in great danger?”

“That is possible. Girls have been seized before and forced into marriage with unscrupulous men. Once wed, and with the money in his hands, he would leave no trace behind him.”

Perry sprang from his seat and began to pace the room. “We can’t have that!”

“Agreed!” His brother’s face was calm. “You both see now that we must proceed with caution?” Sebastian leaned back in his chair, satisfied that he had made his point.

Still doubtful, he’d have been concerned to learn that he had hit upon the truth.

The threat of blackmail had caused the Reverend Truscott to spend a sleepless night. Then, as his initial panic subsided he began to pull himself together. Still unaware that he was being followed, he paid a second visit to “The Rookery”, carrying with him the contents of the collection box. This was irritating. Such funds had previously found their way into his private account, but no matter. He had begun to lay his plans.

As he had expected, the money was regarded simply as a down payment. His mother and her friends intended to bleed him white. He permitted himself a grim smile. They did not know him.

With a promise of a further payment before the week was out he explained that he was called away on parish work for the next day or two. He didn’t intend to waste this brief respite. Judith must be satisfied with a note explaining his absence. He had other matters to attend.

His next journey took him into the pauper colony of Seven Dials. His destination was a brick-built dwelling, apparently no better than any of the others. He let himself in with his own key, and looked about him with a grunt of satisfaction. This was one in the eye for his high-principled parishioners. He’d lavished money on the place, delighted to be putting it to better use than throwing it away on a bunch of ragged urchins.

The place was empty, and his face grew dark with rage. Where the devil was the wench? She was supposed to be here when he wanted her.

When he heard her footstep on the stair he waited behind the door, seizing her from behind as she entered the room. Twisting his fingers in her hair he dragged her round to face him, smiling as she whimpered with pain.

“You’re hurting me!” she cried.

“I’ll hurt you even more, you slut, if you don’t obey my orders. Didn’t I say that you weren’t to leave the house? Been playing me false, have you?” He tightened his grip, forcing her to her knees.

“I wunna do that.” Her eyes were watering with agony. “I went out for bread…” She pointed to her basket. “I weren’t expecting you. You didn’t let me know.”

“I’m not likely to do that,” he said softly. “Will I give you the chance to get up to some trick?” He dragged her to her feet.

The sight of her pain had roused him. With one swift movement he ripped her gown from neck to hem, flung her on the bed, and threw himself upon her like an animal.

It was growing dark before he was fully satiated. With a growl he kicked her away from him.

“Fetch your brothers!” he ordered. “I have work for them.”

Next morning, in a part of London far from the slums of Seven Dials, Judith was summoned to an interview with her stepmother.

“At this hour?” she asked Bessie in surprise. Mrs Aveton was not normally an early riser.

“She said at once, Miss Judith. She’s in her bedchamber.”

Judith entered the room to find Mrs Aveton sitting up in bed, sipping at her chocolate.

“Well, miss, did you enjoy your evening with your friends?”

The enquiry startled Judith. Her own enjoyment had not previously been a subject of any interest to her stepmother.

“Why, yes, ma’am, I thank you. I hoped you would not mind, since you were dining out yourself. The carriage was returned in plenty of time, I believe.”

A short laugh greeted her words. “Most certainly, together with a most insulting note from Mrs Peregrine Wentworth.” She tossed a letter towards Judith.

“Insulting, ma’am?” Judith scanned the note. “This merely explains the invitation, with a promise to see me safely home.”

“You see nothing strange in the fact that Mrs Peregrine sends no compliments to me, or enquiries about my health?”

“She was not aware that you were sick, and nor was I. I’m sorry. Were you unable to visit your friends?”

“I dined with them, and I thank heavens that I did so. I learned more disturbing news.”