The Poisoner's Game

Chapter 33

M.

With the heavy weight of my carpetbag, I set off to Miriam's house. The familiar Mr. Richards opened the door and told me that Miriam was in the garden. He took my carpet bag from me and showed me the way.

Through the townhouse and out the French doors that led from a patio to the garden, I found Miriam's petite form kneeled before a yellow-pink rose bush. A Celadon-green draped her form and a straw hat covered her face, which hid my approach. Her leather-gloved hands handled the roses with reverence and she kneeled on a leather pad so as not to dirty her dress. Beside her, a metal bucket held an assembly of gardening tools, both delicate and sturdy. Many of which I could not name.

"Miriam?" I asked softly as not to startle her as I put myself in her sights.

"Margaret!" Miriam jumped to her feet, pulling me down to her in a fierce hug, and accidentally smudging my face with soil.

"Oh, goodness me, look what I've done," she said leaning back as she wiped the dirt from my face, only to have it increase in diameter with her dirty leather gardening gloves.

I grasped her hand and pulled it down. "Let's get you cleaned up."

Miriam put up her hands in mock surrender and nodded to me with a shy smile.

"It has been much too long since we saw each other last. How was the country?" I asked.

"As one might expect. At least it was only for the weekend or I may have gone mad without you there." Miriam shrugged her shoulders. "The gossips were at large without the excitement of the city. What do I owe your unexpected visit?" Miriam asked. "Not that I'd ever mind, of course."

I avoided her question. "Where are your parents?"

Miriam's eyes narrowed, but she answered anyway, "Mama is helping Babette set up her nursery for a few days, and Papa brought Thomas to Brighton to learn about shipping. I am alone, other than Great Aunt Aphra, who spends most of her time in her room. It has become quite toxic, smelling of nothing but prunes and rancid sherry."

We both made faces, before falling into a fit of giggles. I sobered first and asked, "May I stay here for a few nights? I need your help."

Miriam stilled. "Of course, you may stay as long as you'd like."

I bit my lip with guilt, the hot sun beating down on my cheeks. "Thank you."

Miriam remained quiet for a few moments, before asking with a soft and understanding voice, "What's happened?"

I nodded, before clearing my throat. "It's a long story. It may be best if we sit."

Miriam nodded, a little worry line creasing between her lightly arched brows. "Allow me to freshen up, and we can talk about it in the parlor."

I nodded and moved toward a small white outbuilding. Miriam took off her apron, gloves, and put her tools away, before leaving me in the parlor. Catching my visage in one of the mirrors, I used Alexander's handkerchief, embroidered with E.E. to wipe the dirt off my face. Why I kept it, I still couldn't say.

In no time at all, Miriam returned, dressed in a light blue day-dress that matched her eyes. Other than her slightly skewed modest lace fichu, she managed to dress, per usual, better than I could in the same amount of time. Miriam sat down next to me on the red brocade settee and took my hands in hers. A servant brought in the tea service and left.

Miriam looked at me meaningfully and I swallowed uncomfortably. "When did you return?"

"Late last evening," Miriam responded. Her expression, once curious, shifted and darkened. With slow deliberation, she asked, "Margaret what's that on your cheek?"