Page 44 of The Laudanum Ladies' Society

‘And how are we going to pay for that?’ Archibald asked.

‘I have money. I’ve been saving it.’

‘Really? How have you managed that? Skimping on meals? I thought the meat had been tougher than usual.’

‘Now, Archibald, you know that’s not true,’ Gwen sighed. ‘I just told you, I’ve been shopping in different places. Have you found anything you have eaten that has been less good than usual?’

‘No, you’re as good a cook as ever,’ he admitted.

To Gwen’s relief, his mood seemed to be returning to normal.

‘Then what?’ he asked.

Gwen walked into the back room and sat at the table. Archibald followed and sat opposite her. She linked her hands, uneasy now that the time had come to reveal that she had money. Thank goodness she and Jenny had come up with a plausible reason for it. She drew a deep breath to steady her nerves.

‘The thing is this: I happened to mention your affliction when I was last with Miss Salisbury and Miss Rosewood.’

‘You did what?’ Archibald scowled. ‘I have told you already that this is our private business and nothing to do with anybody else. I assume you did not tell them of your unwomanly involvement in my work?’

Gwen gaped.Unwomanly involvementindeed! She thought of Augusta with envy and wondered what Archibald would make of her running her own business. Businesses, plural, from what Gwen had learnt today. ‘Of course I didn’t tell them that. It slipped out unintentionally, and I have sworn them to secrecy. But as you say, Mr Rosewood knows now,’ Gwen said.

‘And that in itself is unsupportable,’ Archibald growled. ‘Mr Rosewood was extremely unhappy that I hadn’t told him of my troubles. But there is nothing else to be done.’

‘It does mean that time is more of the essence,’ Gwen said. ‘Now, as I was saying, I mentioned it and Miss Salisbury said that she was aware of a charity subscription that has been set up to help working men with what they need. And it’s wonderful because she had given a large donation as recently as January.’

‘A charity?’ Archibald pressed his lips together and then practically spat the word. ‘Charity! I am not a pauper in need of charity, Mrs Walters. How dare you! I shall not touch a farthing of it!’

‘I know you are not a charity,’ Gwen said. ‘Miss Salisbury and Miss Rosewood know it, too, and there is no loss of dignity. It is not a charity for the destitute. It is for people who work hard but who have been stricken in some way that they do not deserve.’

She left her seat and walked behind him, hesitating briefly before she put her hands on his shoulders. He stiffened and she almost withdrew them. Danny’s warm hand on hers flashed into her mind, and guiltily, she had to force the memory away.

‘Archibald, you’re being foolishly obstinate. I understand that your dignity is wounded but you will have the operation, won’t you? You will use the money that has been offered?’

He turned around and she sprang backwards, remembering his outburst towards the apple. He glared at her mutinously, and she had a horrible feeling he would refuse. If so, she wasn’t sure what she would say. He blinked twice then wiped his hand across his eyes and sagged a little. He looked like an old man. Tired and defeated.

‘I will have the operation– however, make no bones about it, Mrs Walters, I am extremely unhappy that you have gone behind my back in this way. I do not expect to hear of this sort of thing ever happening again.’

‘No Archibald, you won’t,’ Gwen said. Through gritted teeth, she added, ‘I’m very sorry.’

‘Good.’ Archibald straightened his collar where her hands had knocked it askew. ‘I can’t say that the operation will not be a relief. It’s about time I got back to running my business properly. You’ve done adequately, but I must say that your manner has been rather distracted recently.’

Gwen bit her tongue. With everything else he had said, this judgement on her abilities was the final straw. ‘Yes, dear. You are right as always.’

Archibald looked at her suspiciously and she wondered if he suspected she was being sarcastic. He no doubt assumed that she would obey his instruction to devote herself to running the house; but his manner had only strengthened the appeal of Augusta’s proposal.

Later, as she prepared toad-in-the-hole, she resolved to broach the subject with Jenny, as soon as possible.

Chapter Fourteen

Uncle Conrad was in a fractious mood over dinner. When Jenny enquired what was bothering him, he put down his cutlery and steepled his fingers.

‘I paid a visit to Mr Walters today. I like to call in on my businesses unannounced on occasion. It ensures my employees are always working as I wish.’

He frowned and Jenny grew tense, wondering what he had discovered.

‘Walters’ sight is afflicted, and he has been concealing the fact from me. I’m exceedingly vexed.’

‘Oh dear, the poor man,’ Jenny murmured.