Page 63 of Murder in Matrimony
“She is gone with Aunt Gertrude to Thames Street to buy roasted chestnuts. Gert—excuse me, Gertrude, could not believe they were as good as all that in the city, but Aunt Tabitha assured her that they were and took her directly.”
Winifred’s face was so animated and her eyes so bright, Amelia had to suppress a laugh and force herself to consider what was happening on her own front lawns. “Thank heavens for their absence. Keep watch, will you? I’ll talk to the captain.”
Winifred gave Amelia a small salute and closed the door.
Amelia cleared her throat to make Captain Fitz aware of her approach. “I am sorry I missed you, Captain Fitz. Won’t you come inside?”
“Lady Amesbury.” The captain released a breath and straightened his hat. “I am relieved to see you. You must understand I do not want any ill will between me and your sister.”
Amelia noticed an older woman who walked her dog every day stop to listen. “Let us go inside, where we can talk privately.”
He nodded, and she did not bother with the drawing room, which was too close to Madge’s quarters. Instead, she led him to the library. She did not want him to overhear her sister crying. Whatever was causing her angst—and Amelia was about to find out what—needed to pass before she saw Captain Fitz again.
He took off his hat and passed his hand through his blondhair. It looked wild and unmanageable, a little like the man himself right now.
“Now then.” Amelia selected a chair and pointed to the green couch across from her. “What may I help you with?”
“Your sister came to see me, and it was quite evident that she was upset. She mentioned a dress fitting and corset and some sort of bustle, I believe.” He shook his head, perplexed by the terminology. “So I said, it sounded as though all was coming along swimmingly, to encourage her, you understand, and she said that it wasn’t coming along at all. It was a stupid gown, and she wanted nothing to do with it.”
“I am sorry.” Amelia tried to come up with words that would soothe his distress. “She despises formal affairs. They were infrequent occurrences in Somerset, and she’s always questioned their necessity.”
“Indeed, I do not like them either.” His brow lifted. “I understood her dislike from the first moment I danced with her. I do not care what she wears to the wedding, and I proceeded to tell her so.”
“And what was her answer?”
“It was positively bizarre. She said, I suppose you do not care if we have mutton for dinner every night either, and I said I enjoyed a good roasted mutton now and then, but I was not so very fussy. She turned on her heel and ran out of the townhouse. I followed her, but she will not see me.” He pointed toward the ceiling.
Amelia smiled lightly. “You must be patient with my sister. This past month has been extremely trying for her. It must seem her world has been turned upside down, but I know she will settle into the idea. She cares for you very much.”
“And I her, but I do not want her to settle into the idea. I want her to desire the marriage to me.”
“She does.” Despite her warring emotions, Amelia kept her face encouraging. “Give her time.”
“With the marriage date set, my lady, how much time can we afford to give?”
TWENTY-SIX
Dear Lady Agony,
I have a large family and a small budget. Which meals go the farthest? Could you give me examples for breakfast and dinner?
Devotedly,
Mother on a Budget
Dear Mother on a Budget,
Let the children have porridge for breakfast. It nourishes the body and costs hardly anything to make. For dinner, stews are your best choice for economy. However, boiled lentils and haricot beans with chopped onions and bacon make a nice pie. Pudding always saves on the meat, so have plenty of it for the children at every meal.
Yours in Secret,
Lady Agony
The captain’s question was a valid one, and Amelia pondered it most of the night. How much longer could they wait for Madge to reconcile herself to the wedding? It was evident it still caused her angst. During last evening’s dinner, she stared at each course, moving the food around her plate. Everyone in the family noticed, except Tabitha and Aunt Gertrude, who were preoccupied with the fowl and roast chestnuts. Aunt Gertrude declared her admiration, which pleased Tabitha, and for the remainder of the evening, the women discussed the proper way to soak them. Meanwhile, Uncle Henry enjoyed his sherry in heavenly silence, carefully watched over by Mr. Scott, who read the papers. Amelia simply stared at Madge, looking for a hint to her feelings.
Eventually, she concluded nothing could be done about them and went to bed. Madge alone must make the decision. Herfamily had taken turns counseling her all afternoon—when she would talk. Much of the time she lay despondently on the bed or crying into her pillow. She could be irrational and hot tempered, certainly, but weepy was a side Amelia had never seen. She must admit she wasn’t an admirer. She much preferred the Madge she knew: strong and determined. She hoped this was the Madge that awaited her the following day when she and Kitty returned from the biscuit shop.
They were on Mill Street, Kitty dressed in rose and Amelia in sea-foam green. The brick storefront boasted two bow windows for browsing and a door between them with a half-moon window. The smell of baked goods filled the store and perhaps several blocks, for the factory was the next building over. The factory was taller than Amelia imagined, and it was not hard to understand how a fall from an indoor ladder at that height could kill a young woman.
