Preferring not to make this easy on the Chairman, Wilcox asked, “Obligations?”
“We are all gentlemen at this club, as you are well aware.”
“Of course.”
“And it is customary, when a gentleman has an obligation—to have it discharged as soon as possible.”
“I quite understand.”
The Chairman paused allowing His Lordship to make an offer. But His Lordship chose not to.
“And although the club’s policy is to prohibit gambling… it is… more often than not, a rule that is breached, than is strictly observed. It seems the majority of our members indulge, from time to time, and the board chooses to turn a blind eye to the matter.”
“How progressive of the board.”
Again, the Chairman paused. “And that being said, several members have complained to me about the fact that you have accumulated a number of gaming debts that remain to be satisfied.”
“Ah… I quite understand, and I shall speak with each of the gentlemen in question.”
That seemed to please the Chairman, and he smiled. “Excellent. Then we shall expect your remittance to us in the next few days for your dues and fees, and I shall leave the matter of the…other obligations in your hands for satisfaction.”
Wilcox stood and said, “What an absolutely capital idea.” He placed his hat on his head and strode out of the office.
* * *
Claudia and Jenny, as the elder of the four children, were naturally drawn together as close friends as well as sisters.
Claudia had recently had a spurt in growth and, as a result, she was as lean and sinewy as a reed growing along the bank of a river. Her long brown hair she kept in tight braids rolled around the sides of her head to keep it from falling around her face as she worked. Jenny had no idea what her sister would grow into, but right now she had the potential to be a handsome woman as she grew and filled out.
When Jenny had her pies in the oven, she would often grab Claudia by the hand, and they would escape out the back door of the bakery. And often, in the summer, they would sit together, catch a breath, and share a peach, a plum, or whatever fresh fruit Jenny was making pies with that day.
One late morning, as Jenny was paring a peach to share, Claudia asked, “How come you do not have a beau yet, Jenny?”
Jenny stopped to think about that. “Not met a lad who appeals to me yet. The local boys all seem so… boyish. And the young men seem to be so… uninterested in anything other than games and ogling us lasses as we stroll the street.”
Claudia hung her head and smiled. “Well, there is one…”
Jenny turned to her. “You have found yourself a young man? Who is he?”
“Jeremiah Wisdom, the vicar’s son. You know him, do you not?”
“I know Jeremiah. He seems like a fine young man. How long have you two been meeting?”
“Not long. We stopped at thePenny FarthingMarketand had a few words. Then he stopped me on the way out of church last few Sundays and we chatted a little more before Mama pulled me away.”
“Why not invite him to supper some evening?” Jenny asked and passed a few slices of peach to Claudia.
Claudia looked at her sister with a pleading look. “Will you speak to Mama for me about him? I cannot seem to get up the nerve.”
Jenny wagged her head. “Oh, Claudia, I do not know… It seems like something you should do. She needs to see your enthusiasm for this young man herself. I know she will think well of you if you have the courage of your convictions.”
“You may be right,” she answered then nibbled on a slice of peach. “But you truly fancy no young man yourself?”
Jenny scratched her head. “It is not so much that there are no suitable young men as much as I have a dream. Do not get me wrong… I love our village, but I want… I do not know what. But I want… more. I cannot put it into words exactly. But I see fine ladies and gentlemen walking about the village from time to time and I… I want to be like them. I want to make something of myself.”
“But we are just common folk, Jenny. What can we hope to accomplish?”
Jenny put her hands between her knees and considered. “I have always thought I could be a fine pastry cook one day. I might never be an aristocrat, but I could meet and serve them someday. How lovely it would be to live in a fine house… even as a cook. It is a worthy profession and I believe I am good at what I do and have every expectation of being successful.”
