A Sunday Picnic
It was a cheerful boat load of passengers that steamed away upriver the following morning. They were all seated on the front deck of the Mary B, the best place on a day like this, the sun almost overhead, a soft breeze in their faces. Their joy at the pleasant, sunny day and prospect of a picnic, with no murder hanging over them, was tempered by the thought of Miriam Hewitt’s future.
Nathaniel reported that Mr. Rasmussen had called in at the police station after he left their house the previous evening and offered to represent Miriam at trial. He and Henrietta had gone directly there with Alex, to take Janet home.
“She will get the best defence on offer, anyway,” he said, tilting back his chair, and stretching his legs.
Emma was pleased to hear that. Miriam might even get off without any real prison time, but she wasn’t overly hopeful about that. Women weren’t supposed to be violent, and they were treated more harshly than men when they were.
“And what about Jonathan?” she asked. “How is he bearing up?”
“Devastated about Miriam, naturally,” Nathaniel replied. “He moved himself to the Exchange Hotel this morning. I’m not sure he knows what he wants right now.”
“No, he did tell me the other day that he was considering his future.” Emma hoped whatever Jonathan Inglis decided would make him happy. He was a pleasant young man, and probably not as cut-throat as some lawyers she’d read about.
“When it comes to his career, it will be a case of whether he wants to be a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond,” Henrietta said.
“Big fish, small pond,” Janet said dreamily, her eyes closed.
Emma wondered if she was thinking of the seaside. Sitting a little further off was the nanny, Winnie, nursing little Katy who had fallen asleep. Emma was glad Janet had brought Winnie with them, so she and Alex could relax. Janey had taken to Winnie, too. Perhaps she could teach the girl to be a little firmer with Colin, though she suspected it was Janet herself who spoilt the boy.
Right now, young Colin was shadowing Darcy and Jemmy, who were fascinated by the engine room where Abe was in charge, with Blue Higgins helping. Abe was turning into a good practical engineer. If she hadn't lost Janey to the Tearoom, she might be in danger of losing Abe to the river. She hoped not. She could make use of him at home if there was a demand for the herbal remedies she made. She must remember to make up more of the echinacea lozenges. She'd told the man in the doctor's waiting room to call this week.
“Have you decided yet about joining the Benevolent Society, Emma?” Henrietta asked, breaking in on her thoughts.
The bell rang from the cockpit down to the engine room, signalling slow, and the Mary B nosed toward the bank where a patch of green and shade, and a little sandy beach waited, the perfect picnic spot.
“I suppose I could,” Emma said.
At least she hadn’t embarrassed herself in front of Mr. Rasmussen, so membership of the Society was an option. And murder was the last thing to fear in that rarified atmosphere. She stood and went to help Janey unload the food hampers.
***********