An Unlamented Death: A Mystery Set in Georgian England (Mysteries of Georgian Norfolk Book 1) by William Savage Page A
Authors: William Savage
Ads: Link
message. ‘Speak up,’ he said, more kindly now. ‘What is it you must tell me?’
‘A visitor, sir,’ she said, her voice a high-pitched whisper. Adam put down his letter and gave his whole attention to coaxing the matter from her.
‘Very good, Molly. A visitor. Does this person have a name? Has he or she vouchsafed the nature of their business with me? Take your time and tell me what message you bring.’
The girl swallowed hard, then gave her message in a single breath. ‘Capt. Mimms sends you his compliments and apologises for coming without warning and has been to Yarmouth and is now going home and desires to speak with you if you are not engaged or seeing a patient…sir’.
She gasped in air and seemed ready to faint away.
‘Capt. Mimms? Capt. Mimms?’ Adam cried, leaping up from his chair so violently that the girl shrank back against the wall, putting out her hand to ward off whatever attack on her person he might intend. ‘Capt. Mimms, you say? Why did you not tell me instantly, instead of quivering like the veriest mouse? I am not an ogre who eats kitchenmaids, Molly, though I am sorely tempted when I find one as faint of heart as you. Stand up, gather yourself and show Capt. Mimms in here as befits a sensible girl. Then be off to the kitchen and ask Mrs. Brigstone to give you a jug of punch and glasses and bring them back here quickly.’
As the poor child hurried off, not at all certain that he did not have it in mind to make an end of her, Adam put his letter to one side. As he stood to welcome his guest, he still mumbled curses on girls fresh from the farm, especially those who had neither wit nor stomach enough to serve a civilised household. She would be better off feeding the hens, or milking the cows or, best of all, tending to sheep as silly as her.
At that moment, the door opened and Capt. Mimms came in, all smiles and apologies for disturbing the peace of the afternoon. Behind him, Molly’s white face showed only briefly, before she fled to the kitchen.
‘A thousand apologies, dear sir,’ Capt. Mimms began. ‘It is, I know, most deuced rude of me to call unannounced in this way. I am on my way home from some days spent about my business in Norwich and Yarmouth. My sons are good lads and tend to matters as I taught them. Yet I venture to believe an occasional visit from their father is still of use to them.’
‘I do not doubt it, sir,’ Adam said. ‘Besides, you need find no excuse to come to my home. I am most delighted to see you. Be sure that you will always have a hearty welcome here, should you call in the middle of the night. Where is that wretched girl? I sent her for punch, for I am sure you must be in need of refreshment after your journey.’
‘The wretched girl, master, is blubbering in the kitchen in a fine state from your treatment.’ It was Mrs. Brigstone who now came, carrying the tray herself. She set it down, then turned to the two men. Her expression commanded silence from both.
‘As you know full well, sir, Molly is new and most unsure of herself. Where is the good of me seeking to encourage her to settle, if you bark at her and send her away in tears? Your pardon, Capt. Mimms. You are most welcome here. I am Susan Brigstone, the Housekeeper.’
‘Mrs. Brigstone,’ Capt. Mimms said, while Adam stood torn between embarrassment and shame. ‘The maid answered the door with every politeness, invited me within and took my message in the most exemplary manner. Please give her my compliments and assure her that no maid could have done better. Indeed, if this young fellow here has no need of such a one, I will take her into my own household, if she is willing to come to Holt.’
‘You are most kind, sir’ Mrs. Brigstone said. ‘I will tell her, though I intend that she should stay here to finish her training, if only as a constant reproach to thoughtless men. Please sit and refresh yourself. My master has spoken of you most warmly and I am glad to make
‘A visitor, sir,’ she said, her voice a high-pitched whisper. Adam put down his letter and gave his whole attention to coaxing the matter from her.
‘Very good, Molly. A visitor. Does this person have a name? Has he or she vouchsafed the nature of their business with me? Take your time and tell me what message you bring.’
The girl swallowed hard, then gave her message in a single breath. ‘Capt. Mimms sends you his compliments and apologises for coming without warning and has been to Yarmouth and is now going home and desires to speak with you if you are not engaged or seeing a patient…sir’.
She gasped in air and seemed ready to faint away.
‘Capt. Mimms? Capt. Mimms?’ Adam cried, leaping up from his chair so violently that the girl shrank back against the wall, putting out her hand to ward off whatever attack on her person he might intend. ‘Capt. Mimms, you say? Why did you not tell me instantly, instead of quivering like the veriest mouse? I am not an ogre who eats kitchenmaids, Molly, though I am sorely tempted when I find one as faint of heart as you. Stand up, gather yourself and show Capt. Mimms in here as befits a sensible girl. Then be off to the kitchen and ask Mrs. Brigstone to give you a jug of punch and glasses and bring them back here quickly.’
As the poor child hurried off, not at all certain that he did not have it in mind to make an end of her, Adam put his letter to one side. As he stood to welcome his guest, he still mumbled curses on girls fresh from the farm, especially those who had neither wit nor stomach enough to serve a civilised household. She would be better off feeding the hens, or milking the cows or, best of all, tending to sheep as silly as her.
At that moment, the door opened and Capt. Mimms came in, all smiles and apologies for disturbing the peace of the afternoon. Behind him, Molly’s white face showed only briefly, before she fled to the kitchen.
‘A thousand apologies, dear sir,’ Capt. Mimms began. ‘It is, I know, most deuced rude of me to call unannounced in this way. I am on my way home from some days spent about my business in Norwich and Yarmouth. My sons are good lads and tend to matters as I taught them. Yet I venture to believe an occasional visit from their father is still of use to them.’
‘I do not doubt it, sir,’ Adam said. ‘Besides, you need find no excuse to come to my home. I am most delighted to see you. Be sure that you will always have a hearty welcome here, should you call in the middle of the night. Where is that wretched girl? I sent her for punch, for I am sure you must be in need of refreshment after your journey.’
‘The wretched girl, master, is blubbering in the kitchen in a fine state from your treatment.’ It was Mrs. Brigstone who now came, carrying the tray herself. She set it down, then turned to the two men. Her expression commanded silence from both.
‘As you know full well, sir, Molly is new and most unsure of herself. Where is the good of me seeking to encourage her to settle, if you bark at her and send her away in tears? Your pardon, Capt. Mimms. You are most welcome here. I am Susan Brigstone, the Housekeeper.’
‘Mrs. Brigstone,’ Capt. Mimms said, while Adam stood torn between embarrassment and shame. ‘The maid answered the door with every politeness, invited me within and took my message in the most exemplary manner. Please give her my compliments and assure her that no maid could have done better. Indeed, if this young fellow here has no need of such a one, I will take her into my own household, if she is willing to come to Holt.’
‘You are most kind, sir’ Mrs. Brigstone said. ‘I will tell her, though I intend that she should stay here to finish her training, if only as a constant reproach to thoughtless men. Please sit and refresh yourself. My master has spoken of you most warmly and I am glad to make
Similar Books
