Maggie snatched the fallen chit from Eden’s lap and read it. Re-read it.
She glanced up at Eden once.
And then, she re-reread it.
It was scribbled not just in rude fingers, but also with impolite regards, all that was written on the parchment.
To Miss Eden Henley.
West brooch Inn and Tavern, Sigmund Valley, Hertfordshire.
A certain Mr. Adam Marks claims yer acquaintance. Is sick, monkey drunk and just about dead. We hav called for the thecary, and the yer bill’s mounting up to 150 pounds, (physician, dinner and drinks)
Kindly take yer charge away, and pay the dues by this very dusk.
_ BeckyPrigg.
Pay all dues by this very dusk.
Not a request.
A plane as ocean command.
Not compassion but utter economy.
Maggie heaved her long paused sigh as her jaw worked, clenching and unclenching. But when she looked up at Eden, she was surprised. All the former vulnerability, trembling -trading emotions and tears were gone, leaving in its wake a cautious calculativeness.
A contemplative decadence.
“Alright.” Eden nodded to herself as if she had just made a choice. “I have sixty pounds at hand and that’s not even half of the demanded amount.”
She got off the bed with same alert, focused air and walked up to her trunk. After minutes of rummaging through the labyrinth of clothes and other stuffs, Eden pulled something out. Something small.
Maggie squinted her eyes to get the look. She gasped.
“It’s a ring, Eden.”
Eden looked up from the ring at her. “Yes. It’s my wedding band. Pure gold I suppose, with silver embellishment on it.”
“Surely.” Maggie breathed. “But we need only 150 pounds. This...”
“…is much over and above that.” Eden finished for her. “But it’s worth nothing to me.”
Maggie mulled over that for several moment, with unsure, reluctant eyes. “And if Lord Adelwood asks for it back?”
Eden eyes fell back on the ornament. A frown took over her eyes. “I never said I’ll vend it.”
Maggie raised a brow in askance.
“I will credit it.” Eden informed. “And then, I will pay it off eventually so that I could throw this band right into his face.”
Maggie’s eyes flashed in, what may be called, approval. “A sound scheme, Eden.”
Eden shrugged. She pulled out a handkerchief and placed the ring into it. She lugged out a pouch from her trunk. It was jingling and certainly contained all her former earnings. Eden placed the knotted handkerchief into it and sealed the pouch.
She was so absorbed in all this that she didn’t notice Maggie when the girl came at her side with something filling her fist.
“Eden.” Maggie placed her hand on Eden’s arm to drag her attention. “I very much admire your self-reliance but let’s not risk it.”
YOU ARE READING
Promises Unkept
Historical FictionThe 'marriage' was against his will. The woman was beyond his liking. So, when Lord Stephan Adelwood was married to the poor girl named Eden Henley, his fire did bruise the lady badly enough to change her entirely. Promises were broken, hearts were...
