Page 52 of Lord of Mischief
Hattie picked at her freshly baked bun.“Well I have been coming to the market for the past few years.I’m not sure if Eve ever told you, but I run a soup kitchen out of St John’s Parish near the rookery of St Giles.”
Freddie nodded, reliving the embarrassing memory of how horrid he had been to Hattie at Vauxhall when he’d refused to take her hand.He hadn’t expected Will Saunders would permit his new bride to continue her work with the poor once they were married.
She looked at him and he sensed she was quietly reading his mind.“The two footmen are part of the agreement I have with Will so I can continue my ministry with the poor.I made some enemies in the gangs of the rookery a little while back.Things have quietened down since then, but he insists I have them with me at all times.But enough about me.”
The storekeeper placed two large cups of muddy coffee on the table, then bent down and proceeded to give Saintspreserveus a friendly pat.“What’s your dog’s name?”
“Saintspreserveus.It’s a joke,” replied Freddie, feeling foolish.
Saintspreserveus growled.The man screwed up his face and went back to serving other customers, the joke clearly lost on both man and hound.
“You do know that is a ridiculous name for a dog.Even he doesn’t like it, from the way he growled.Poor thing.Fancy being saddled with that for all your days,” said Hattie.
“I think perhaps I should consider changing it.He is my one true friend at the moment, so he does deserve better.”
“You have no disagreement from me on that count.But tell me, why are you here at the market at this hour?”Hattie’s gaze locked on Freddie’s basket of goods.
He gritted his teeth.There was no point lying to her.“My father has cut me off.I am in disgrace over the way I treated Eve.I have a few coins to live by, but other than that, I am on my own.No servants; no credit.And I thoroughly deserve it.I am nothing more than a blackguard of the lowest ilk.”
Hattie frowned.“Don’t say that,” she replied.
Freddie picked up his coffee and took a hesitant sip.It looked the same color as the murky waters of the River Thames.He took a second sip.He had been served coffee in some of the finest restaurants and clubs in London, but nothing tasted as good as the coffee made by the market stall holder in Covent Garden.
Hattie smiled at him.“Will discovered our coffee man.He was like an excited child when he finally found someone in London who could grind and brew the beans just the way he likes them.He comes here quite regularly.”
The smile disappeared from Freddie’s lips.Kind, religious Hattie was one thing, but Eve’s older brother was not someone he was in any particular hurry to encounter.He looked over her shoulder, ready to beat a hasty retreat if Will suddenly appeared from out of the throng.
“He is still abed.My husband is not an early riser,” she said.
Freddie relaxed.“I came here this morning, because I cannot live forever on pork pies.There are several cookbooks in the kitchen at Rosemount House; I thought I could attempt some recipes.I’m going to try cooking eggs today as a start and then see where that takes me.”
Hattie nodded, after which they sat in silence and finished their coffees.As Freddie drained the last of his cup, he silently hoped for a second one.
Hattie pulled out a small notebook and pencil from her coat pocket.She didn’t carry a reticule or bag like other women.She began to cross a few things off a long shopping list.Then, turning to another page, she wrote down an address before pulling the page out of her notebook and handing it to Freddie.
“That’s the address of St John’s Parish.If you feel the need for a warm bowl of soup you are most welcome.We usually serve soup from around late afternoon to the end of evensong.”
A lump formed in his throat.He was being offered charity.
His earlier encounters with Hattie had been shameful.He had mocked her work with the poor, even made note of her dowdy clothes.What had seemed a fun part of the Rude Rules now revealed itself to be the cruel and heartless jest it truly was.Yet here she was, showing him compassion.
“Thank you.I don’t deserve your kindness.Not after all the horrid things I have said and done to your family,” he replied.
“I am sure we will all survive.I put your unkind remarks to me down to the folly of youth.Besides, at the time, I had much bigger issues to deal with in my life.To tell you the truth, you were an odd and amusing distraction during a difficult time for me.Will and I did not have an easy start to our relationship; the trip to Vauxhall was a peace offering on his part.As for Eve, she is a strong girl.In time, she will give her heart over to someone else and find love again.”
He had thought of Eve increasingly over the past few days, wondering how she was, and hoping she was not sitting at home alone crying over him.She deserved to be happy.“How is Eve?”
“She is fine.The Saunders family are made from tough material.She had one or two days at home keeping indoors, but she is back out circulating in society once again.While I am unsure as to the exact reason for you calling things off with her, rest assured there are plenty of other fine young men more than willing to take your place.”Hattie finished her coffee but left the rest of her bun untouched.She pulled a handful of coins from out of her pocket and handed them to the coffee stall holder.Freddie reached for his pocket, but she waved him away.“Keep your money.Use it to buy yourself fresh carrots; they are good to eat raw if you cannot get the fire hot enough in the kitchen to cook.The offer to come to St John’s is always open to you, Freddie.You would be most welcome.”
She gathered up her things and headed over to where her two footmen were now waiting on the other side of the cafe.Freddie watched as they walked away.
Eve was already back in circulation.He should be pleased.But that piece of news was a double-edged sword.It was heartening to think her heart had only been bruised by his betrayal.Less comforting was the thought she hadn’t loved him as much as his ego had led him to believe.He shouldn’t care, but the sting in his heart told him otherwise.
As he rose from the chair, Saintspreserveus stood next to the table.Spying Hattie’s unfinished bun, Freddie reached out a hand to take it, but the quick dog beat him and gulped it down in one go.The gods were still not done with punishing Freddie.
“Come on, lad.Let’s get you some bones and then head home.These eggs won’t cook themselves,” Freddie said with a sigh.
The eggs burnt in the bottom of the overheated frying pan and he eventually gave the whole mess to Saintspreserveus who ate it all in one gulp.Freddie didn’t particularly mind, he wasn’t that hungry anyway.Hattie’s news about Eve had stolen his appetite.
