God's Crusade

Part Twenty-Three

February 2041

Meadvale confused Hermione all over again, because it was just so perfect, and everything that was asked of her there seemed to make much more sense in the strangest of ways. Pastor Brown and his family plus their guest were embraced by the Osborne's, although Nigel had not expected to be, so they found themselves mixing with the very elite of Meadvale society almost at once. Miss Derbyshire, the resident guardian, helped Miss Donald settle her charges and Hermione began to discover how a traditional maiden really lived as she and Selena Brown joined India Trevor-Osborne in her daily routine. It was nothing like Reigate. If Miss Donald had been a massive step up from Miss King, Miss Derbyshire took things to another level altogether, and cowed by her experiences before leaving Reigate, Hermione found it impossible to resist her. Miss Donald was clearly still fully responsible for her and Selena at the end of the day, but Miss Derbyshire naturally took charge in her own master's house and she was firmly in control of every situation. From that moment on her every movement, word or expression was under constant scrutiny and she was allowed to do very little for herself other than consider her sins.

Previously she would have said that was already the case with Miss King and Miss Donald too, but she had a lot to learn about guardians. She was still traumatised by her beatings in Reigate and absolutely terrified of Miss Donald as a result, but the two guardians worked very hard on her, making her see that her behaviour had been unforgiveable. It was like an assault on her senses. Every lesson, and every moment spent with her guardians, involved her heinous fall from grace, as Miss Derbyshire called her panic attack, initially at the sight of her sleeping gown, and she soon began to understand that it had all been her fault and that she had caused great offence and dismay. It had been her ignorance of her place that had caused all the trouble and she had to be punished for her sins.

India was quite accustomed to having visiting clergy and their families in the house. She did not pay too much attention to Selena Brown or Hermione Slade, although she noted that Pastor Brown was clearly being honoured by her father. It was a very large house, almost a palace, and if Bishop Osborne did not want his family bothered by unimportant guests they could all be kept quite separate. But all the Brown's and the American girl travelling with them were with the family as soon as they all arrived, which made things more than a little tedious. Neither of the two girls were properly trained as far as India could see. Selena Brown was obviously young and inexperienced, and India could tell that her guardian was little better. Hermione Slade was much worse. She hardly knew how to sit and her posture was terrible. India immediately realised that she would be expected to set a good example to them both all the time, so she did not expect to have much fun during their visit.

Brogan played the gracious hostess as much as she was allowed, trying to put Mrs Brown as her ease. Miss Derbyshire let both of them chat over coffee whilst she took the girls for a walk, but she had to admit that she was rather glad when Mrs Radcliffe and Miss Nixon arrived after an hour or so, as the conversation was awkward and mundane. Miss Dexter, the Radcliffe's guardian, let her mistress join Brogan for coffee but kept Miss Nixon covered and muzzled, settling her out of the way in the corner. Neither Brogan nor Mrs Brown questioned that decision, focussing instead on Chloe Radcliffe, who had all the latest gossip. She saved the afternoon from being a total waste of time. Brogan badly needed a diversion from her own dark thoughts, and Chloe provided one.

"Mr Shapleigh Nixon III is a very energetic man...Kieran is quite exhausted answering his questions and they are now on a complete tour of the town, I believe." Chloe said, explaining about Madison's parents being guests at Broomwaters. "Something is clearly going on, as half the Cabinet are due to arrive this evening...but I have no idea what, of course."

"Oh I am sure we shall discover it in time if it is suitable, but I hope we will get to see Mrs Munroe?" Brogan replied, already wondering if it could possibly have anything at all to do with Harry's murder. Sebastian had not gone into the details, preferring to just warn her that some further evidence might be about to emerge, but he had mentioned Mr Nixon's name. "I have not seen Elizabeth to talk to for months and it would be a delight to spend some time with her for once. She spends far too much time in London..."