Page 33 of The Laudanum Ladies' Society

‘Is that what he would have wanted you to do?’ Jenny asked.

Augusta looked at Jenny and her eyebrows arched in surprise. ‘Would have?’

She smiled, her lips growing thin. It was not a nice expression, more like the grin of a cat about to eat a mouse. ‘You think he’s dead, I see.’

‘I thought you were a widow,’ Gwen said.

‘Ah, Selina, is that what you told them?’

Miss Salisbury shrugged carelessly.

Augusta put her hands together and bent them outwards, clicking her fingers. Gwen’s teeth set on edge.

‘That reputation suits me. It suits both of us, I imagine, because who could respect a man whose wife up and left him. No, he lives on the other side of our fair metropolis, where he runs an opium den and a dozen houses of ill repute in Soho. If, or rather when, he hears of my success, I hope the knowledge will be enough to make him apoplectic. Perhaps I will finally achieve that happy state you mentioned.’

Gwen opened her mouth then closed it again, struck dumb by the harshness of Augusta’s words. Imagine wishing her husband would actually die! Her callousness was abominable. Jenny’s face gave nothing away, but Miss Salisbury shook her head and smiled indulgently.

‘Really, Augusta, do you have to be so candid?’ Her manner was composed, though her voice had an edge of mild reproof. Gwen suspected it was at Augusta’s tone rather than the revelation itself.

Augusta did not look remotely contrite. If anything, she looked grimly amused at the effect she was having, because her eyes glinted like tinder-flints.

‘Selina, I am not having this argument again. We both know that my husband is a fool who couldn’t take an opportunity when he was offered one, yet resented anyone who did, his wife included.’ She looked away, fixing her eyes on the doorway that had at one point led to the landing.

‘His wife, in particular.’ Briefly, her face hardened, her jaw clenching. When she looked back, her eyes bore a resolve that made Gwen grow even colder.

‘I decided one day that I would never again submit to another man’s hand on my body or in my business, unless I deemed it acceptable. I left him and I do not regret it for an instant. All I regret is that the law and values of this land mean I am looked down upon.’

She looked around defiantly, challenging her audience to contradict her, but Gwen had no such intention. If anything, she was filled with admiration for Augusta’s decision to take her destiny into her own hands.

‘Look at you, Mrs Walters,’ Augusta sighed. ‘An intelligent, resourceful woman whose husband curdles with resentment at your increased participation in his trade.’

Gwen raised her head. ‘I don’t know what you mean!’ she snapped.

‘Yes, you do. Do you think I haven’t investigated your life before inviting you here? You are wasted keeping house and serving in a shop. How much more successful could you be? Are you too respectable to take the opportunity?’

Gwen hid a wry smile. If only Augusta knew she was doing so much more! She looked down at her hands, though she couldn’t help thinking back to the early days of their marriage and wished she had been firmer in her encouragement of Archibald to take Conrad’s offer. They’d be in a better position than they were now. She shouldn’t let this offer pass or she might spend the next ten years regretting it.

‘And you, Miss Rosewood,’ Augusta said, her eyes settling on Jenny.

‘No, thank you. I don’t need my life eviscerating!’ Jenny’s voice was firm but with a touch of humour.

Augusta laughed. ‘As you please. You know yourself whether your life as chatelaine of your uncle’s household is meaningful. Mrs Walters, Miss Rosewood, I know I have shocked you. Well, I don’t care about that. I’ve shocked many people in my time, and I’ll shock many more before I’m dead. Respectability is overrated. I feel it is better we understand each other before we go any further. I’m offering you both the chance to make money. Are you going to take it, or will you let the notion of what is right prevent you?’

‘I think my colleague and I need to confer,’ Jenny said.

‘Of course. I would expect nothing less. I shall be in my office. I can see you have concerns– and yes, you are right to ask questions before you sign away your souls.’ She laughed. ‘I am a formidable woman and I have had to become so. Do not worry, though. I am also a very keen businesswoman. Again, I have had to become so.’

Augusta went next door. Selina poured herself another cup of coffee and sipped it genteelly, as if she was at Claridge’s. Jenny and Gwen walked to the corner window. From there they could see Augusta sat at her desk, writing in a ledger.

Jenny spoke first. ‘It seems an excellent opportunity to make money.’

‘Too excellent when we don’t really understand how we’re going to make it.’ Gwen frowned. ‘What exactly is she going to do with it and why do we not need to know the specifics of that? She does make it sound rather like an opium den, with all the talk of outdoing her husband. It feels almost as if she only wants to do this to spite him. What if he takes exception to her competing with him and becomes dangerous?’

‘I really don’t think we need to worry about what he might do to us, and other than that I think it sounds promising.’ Jenny set her jaw and folded her arms. ‘Gwen, I’ll try to be as frank as Augusta. You and I have had this conversation before, and I don’t want to keep having it. We need the money, and if she can sell the tincture, then why shouldn’t we take advantage? Your husband will regain his sight quicker, and I will not have to give up the comforts I enjoy.’

‘You’re right, I need to stop listening to my misgivings,’ Gwen answered.

‘Good. Have confidence!’ Jenny leant closer and dropped her voice. ‘I have met somebody that I would very much like to set up home with, and I need money if I’m to do that.’