They spread the remains of the sample on a piece of pale paper and examined it closely, but could not detect anything visible.
“Still, it’s definitely tainted,” Mr Fothergill said. “If Uncle Toby says so, it must be true. He has always been our best taster. I’ll send a new supply up to Staineybank at once, no charge, of course, and do tell Miss Hester to have the tea caddy thoroughly scrubbed and scoured. Goodness, I wonder how long it’s been like this! And poor Mrs Richard’s been drinking this without complaint.”
With his own supply secured, and a visit to the bookseller for more quills, Jamie turned his steps homeward. Of course, it was too much to hope that he would be spared the attentions of the Miss Martins, and this time all three of them awaited him.
“Did you manage to obtain the tea for Mrs Hammond?” they trilled.
And when he had reassured them on that score, he had been obliged to reveal the purchase of quills, and interrogated at great length on the state of the market, on which matter he was quite unable to satisfy them, having paid it very little attention.
But then the eldest Miss Martin said, “Tell me, Mr Hammond, have you come across anyone by the name of Wyatt lately?”
“Wyatt?No, I do not know any Wyatts. I know of one Wyatt family, from Kent, I believe. My father has an interest in the family’s history from many years ago — to do with his grace’s diaries — but none of us is acquainted with the modern members of the family.”
They twittered excitedly to each other. “Oh, but you see, a gentleman from Kent has been making enquiries about a Mr Wyatt—”
“A MrJuliusWyatt.”
“—who might be in the area.”
“He has asked at the bank, you see,” the eldest said.
“And at the post office,” the youngest said.
“And everywhere,” the middle sister said, beaming happily. “But no one had heard of Mr Julius Wyatt.”
“Including me,” Jamie said. “Now, if you will forgive me, ladies, I really must get this tea back to my wife.”
The walk home gave him another half hour of quietude to wallow in misery before he had to tackle Hester about the tea. He was forestalled, for he found her in the pantry with Rowena.
“What is all this about my tea not being right?” Rowena said, as soon as he poked his head round the door. “There is nothing wrong with my tea. I have been drinking it for two years now, and enjoying every cup, I might add.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Jamie said wearily, “but Mr Fothergill says it is tainted. He is to send a replacement batch today.”
“There is absolutely no need,” Rowena said robustly. “Hester, you may send it back when it arrives. I am perfectly satisfied with what I have. Jamie, I have no objection to Georgie using my tea, for anyone may help themselves, I am sure, but pray ask her not to start these hares running whenever she tries something a bit different and finds it not to her taste.”
“I understand,” he said quietly.
Rowena nodded and swept out of the room.
“Well!” he said. “Is she always so… combative?”
“She is a trifle out of sorts these days,” Hester said. “I have no idea why, since she never confides in me. But what am I to do about the tea? If Mr Fothergill says it is tainted, then itistainted, but if Rowena likes it that way, I can hardly go against her, can I?”
“It seems not to be doing her any harm,” he said cautiously.
“True,” Hester said, brightening. “And if this batchistainted, the next batch will be better, so best not to worry about it. And now I think I will go and have a bit of a lie down. I am quite worn out with all these difficulties.”
“Are you ill, Hester?”
“Me? Ill? Nothing of the sort. Just… a bit tired, that is all. Getting old, young man. It comes to us all, eventually.”
Jamie was left to wonder why a woman of not much above forty years should regard herself as old.
18: Information
Jamie threw away the rest of the tainted tea from Georgie’s caddy and replaced it with the fresh supply from Mr Fothergill, then brewed a pot for Georgie. As soon as she tasted it, she smiled.
“That’s so much better! Thank you for going into Brinchester for me. I don’t think I could have drunk any more of Rowena’s horrid stuff.”
