Don't Look Back

Chapter 45

Coming to the Bishop's home he found the accommodations luxurious.

They were met at the door and he asked for tea and an early luncheon meal to be laid.

"You look hungry my boy," he said. "Tis no wonder the scandal your wife has put you through, probably don't have much of an appetite ."

Sidney wanted to curse but in front of this holy man, he refrained and tried to remain on the good side of him. But to know how far and wide his personal humiliation had reached he wished to do nothing more than to take the soonest ship and leave these shores... But he had too many obligations and god help him, hopes.

"Thank you," he said simply as he followed him into a long table where the man took the seat at the head and Sidney took the other at his right.

The servants swiftly laid out some red claret and he resisted gulping it down for his nerves were more than on edge.

"So I take it I am not the first appointment that Lady Susan has paved for you?" he asked.

Sidney shook his head. "No, but you are the second. I just met with Barrister Peeves last afternoon."

He nodded. "Good, you have the best in this line of work. But you do know the expense. Favors are favors, but still, the cost is the cost. That is not negotiable. But verdicts could be." he implied with just a brief turn. "Provided we have the right argument and the argument cannot be disputed by any of the Bishops."

Sidney sighed. "Well, infidelity seems to be what Barrister Peeves suggests."

Bishop Aldren frowned. "But you do not like that avenue Mr. Parker?" he asked.

Sidney shook his head. "I am afraid I do not want the lengthy case that it would entail. Or to drag lovers through the court."

The old Bishop laughed. "The process is not as long as proving impotence." he giggled. "Imagine if you will that you have not consummated the marriage, well that is not grounds enough that the marriage be annulled. Nay!" he chuckled. "Many falsely think so and pay to bring their case to court, but it does not matter. It only matters that the two people 'can' perform."

Sidney frowned. "Supposing the woman you married does not stir you in that way?" he argued.

Shrugging the Bishop looked eagerly at the plate laid before him. A scrumptious meal of meat pie.

"Ah, see that is a problem, if it is just the woman it is not enough. The man in question would be commanded to share her bed for three years." he said, "and if still, the marriage remains unconsummated the husband would be compelled to try to lie with up to three courtesans." he smiled.

Sidney looked horrified.

"Surely then one would arouse the member meant for God's work, or no one, and the case would come to a close after more than three years," he said looking up and then putting his hands together in prayer.

"Bless us, oh Lord, and these thy gifts..." he recited and they both replied. "Amen.

"So, consummation is not an avenue worth pursuing." Sidney felt the need to clarify and his shoulders slumped.

The old Bishop grunted. "Aye, yes. It is a vastly long process that would not even begin until that court hearing. Fraud, however, could be a reasonably quick manner to disentangle yourself. But you will have no right to her monies. In fact, you will have to relinquish them all to her. But your child you would not." he said.

Sidney shook his head. "Seems I have little choice but to pursue the infidelity path." he would not risk the fraud being known for Flora was the product of the fraud.

The Bishop nodded. "It could take up to three years, and you may not be granted permission to remarry," he said seriously. "You haven't intentions on marrying another, do you?" he asked pointedly as he chewed.

Sidney nodded. "I have not broken any vows, but I do have feelings and intentions towards a woman more worthy of the title of wife."

The Bishop looked down. "I don't mean to be indelicate, and this will only make the scandal all the more severe...but forgive me but I see a possible solution to your path."

Sidney perked up. "I am all ears."

"I would hate to see an innocent soul in a madhouse, but if she were mad would it not be a kinder place? A space to protect her from sin?" he asked now chewing his food. "To protect you and your daughter from...further shameful associations?"

Taking a drink at that comment Sidney frowned. "Madness, would that make divorce easier?"

The Bishop nodded. "Yes, it can also smooth the blow of her infidelities to blame it on madness."

Thinking seriously he tried to shoot the idea down but the idea of getting out faster certainly had its appeal.

"But of course society would still look down upon a situation such as that." the man said as Sidney sat in silence.

Chewing the man observed him. "Mr. Parker, you have not touched your food. You should eat. You look weak."

Sidney sighed and nodded as he went to devour the food and hospitality the man offered. The advice was harder to swallow.

"As a friend of Lady Susan's I will of course do what I can for you. But divorce is far from assured. You must be aware of that before you pursue this path." the man said as Sidney tried to still think about the situation.

"I feel it would be wrong to declare her insane," Sidney said suddenly.
The fork the Bishop held dropped as he laughed. "The woman makes a mockery of your marriage, a fool of you to the entire society, and you think it wrong to declare her insane." his wide eyes now blinked in awe.

Sidney shook his head. "We have a daughter. If I were to put her mother away..." he started.

"Is she a good mother?" the Bishop asked. "Attentive, and caring?" he pressed.

Shaking his head defeated the Bishop nodded knowingly. "You should think seriously about commitment. I can give you the card of several reputable physicians who specialize in the kind of conditions of the brain and soul she may have."

Putting up his hand resistantly he shook his head. "No, than-"

Laughing again the Bishop rolled his eyes. "Perhaps you should call one of them for yourself since you are not seeing this all very clearly as Lady Susan implied."

"She recommended commitment?" Sidney asked now irritated that she would meddle so.

"Heavens no." the Bishop shook his head. "No, she just told me to advise you on your options for she feared you were blinded by perceived obligation as she worded it. Asked me a personal favor to counsel you and put you on the proper path. I intend to see my charge through." he said ringing for a servant as he chewed his food.

Soon a small man appeared.

"Ah, Parky. Please fetch me my box of cards," he said.

The servant looked at him questioningly. "The playing ones?"

Bishop Aldren shook his head. "No, the ones on my desk, and be quick as you can please."

Sidney's mind still raced and he fought the urge to refuse still. The temptation was too much.