Page 66 of My Gentleman Spy
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Hattie closedthe garden gate behind her. While she made certain to do it quietly, the anger which flared in her mind made her want to do otherwise. How sorely she wished she could slam itshut.
“How hard can it be?” she mutteredtersely.
She and the Littles had agreed that as part of the subterfuge of her living undetected in her family home, it was paramount that any passer-by considered the house to be unoccupied. No lights were to be seen from the upper floors at night. The single candle she used in her bedroom was always kept well away from thewindows.
Returning to the house late in the evening after having helped Mrs. Mayford through a difficult day, Hattie was in no mood to deal with servants who could not be trusted to follow simpleinstructions.
As soon as she turned into Newport Street, she could see that the whole of the second floor of the house was flooded withlight.
“It looks like a fairypalace.”
Once inside she would be having stern words with Mr. and Mrs. Little. She stomped down the garden path, only to be met by Mr. Little who was waiting for her outside the door to thekitchen.
Hattie shot up her hand and pointed it skyward toward the well-litwindows.
Mr. Little sighed. “Now before you go getting all upset Miss Hattie, let me explain something,” hesaid.
She gritted her teeth. From the worried expression on his face, she suspected Mr. Little was the bearer of badnews.
“Yes?” shereplied.
“Someone's taken thehouse.”
It took a moment or so for her to process his words. As much as she tried to accept what he had said, her mind firmly blockedit.
How could someone have taken the house? This was her home. Who had takenpossession?
“Says he has the contract and paperwork all in order. Man, from your father's solicitor came with him earlier today. Told us we had to getout.”
Hattie blinked. “He threw you out?” sheexclaimed.
“He did, but the new tenant said we could stay. He said since Mrs. Little and I know the house so well, we could be of use tohim.”
Hattie swallowed down the lump of fear which had formed in her throat. As of this moment she was homeless. She suddenly felt a strong kinship to those whom she routinely rendered charitable assistance. Apart from her well-made clothes and comfortable boots she had little more than they did at this moment. What was she todo?
“Now we've had a bit of a chat this afternoon, the missus and I. We think we can keep you hidden downstairs until you can find your way to fixing things with Mr. Edgar,” hesaid.
He stood back and let her enter the house, then following behind her closed and locked the door. Instinctively Hattie headed for the stairs which led to the upper levels, but Mr. Little reached out and took hold of herarm.
“Not that way Miss Hattie,” hesaid.
She looked at the staircase. How many times had she climbed those stairs and never given it a second thought? Now she was a stranger in her ownhome.
Somewhere upstairs the rightful tenant of forty- three Newport Street, was enjoying his first night in his new home. More than likely sitting in her father's favorite chair or perhaps writing a letter at his desk. While she, the daughter of the house was now relegated to living belowstairs.
With her schemes and plans now in tatters, Hattie followed Mr. Little down the servants' stairs and into the lowerkitchen.
Mrs. Little was seated by the hearth, Hattie's pet cat Brutus curled up asleep in her lap. She held out her arms and Hattie came quickly to her side. Seated by the warm hearthstone, staring into the flames, she held back the tears for as long as she could. As she began to sob, Mrs. Little put a comforting hand to her back and gave her a consolingrub.
“It was always a slim chance the house would stay vacant for much longer. I’m sure you will be able to sort things out with your brother and everything will be set to right. He is a good man,” shesaid.
If only it was thateasy.
“I was a fool,” mutteredHattie.
That final day in London, as the ship pulled away from the quay, she had frantically hoped for her brother to appear on the dockside, climb the gangplank and spirit her away. But her knight in shining armor had notappeared.
