The Ladder Dancer Read Free

us.’
    The gleam flickered uncertainly; the green colour faded slightly. George adores Esther with the intensity of a boy’s first crush; he told me only a few days ago he was pleased he died in her house so he could stay with her ‘for ever and ever’. From the moment I moved in, he’s been annoyingly offensive, giving me directions to rooms I already know, introducing me to servants I’ve been acquainted with for a year or more, and generally trying to give the impression he’s the man of the house. In short, showing every sign of jealousy.
    Fortunately, mixed in with his adoration of Esther is a healthy dash of adolescent bashfulness which means one disapproving word from her is enough to send him into agonies of guilt. That alone, thankfully, has kept him out of our bedroom at nights.
    ‘ Now , George,’ Esther said.
    He mumbled, ‘Yes, mistress,’ and shot off. I watched until the gleam slid out of the room under the door.
    Esther said quietly, ‘You are still distressed by that incident on the Key.’
    Reluctantly I sat back. ‘Yes.’
    ‘The Constable and the coroner both concluded it was an accident.’
    ‘Tell that to the mother.’
    She nodded. ‘But no blame can attach to her. She was very drunk, admittedly, but there was no way she could have kept hold of the child.’
    ‘It was intentional,’ I said. ‘He deliberately ran into her.’
    ‘Charles—’
    ‘I don’t say he intended to kill her, or the child, but he did intend to hurt them. He was venting his anger on them.’
    Esther plainly chose her words carefully. ‘I was wondering if perhaps—’
    ‘Yes?’ That came out rather more belligerently than I’d intended.
    She continued more decisively. ‘Over the past year, Charles, you have been involved in four puzzles, and you have proved yourself expert in unravelling the truth. But I am beginning to wonder if that has led you to start seeing mysteries where none exist.’
    I took a deep breath. I would not argue with Esther over yet another matter. ‘You’re not the only person to say so,’ I admitted. ‘The coroner plainly thought so, and the new constable. But I’m not imagining this, Esther.’
    She sat back. ‘Very well. Then why not see if you can find any trace of the fellow? Would it not set your mind at rest?’
    I saw that leather bag again, jolting at the back of the saddle. The intertwined initials: CR . I’ve always hated leaving puzzles unsolved. Of course, why hadn’t I thought of that before? I drained my coffee dish and pushed back my chair. ‘You’re right. And if I can find nothing, at least I’ll feel I’ve tried.’
    She hesitated. ‘You will not forget you have to see lawyer Armstrong in the next few days. About the Norfolk estates, that business with the tenant of the Home Farm.’
    I dipped to plant a kiss on her forehead. ‘You deal with it.’
    ‘Charles, I can’t. Not any longer. It’s your property now.’
    ‘I’ll sign the papers when you’ve sorted it out.’
    ‘Mr Armstrong will expect to see you !’
    But like a coward I was already at the door.

Three
    Clothes bespeak the man.
    [ A Gentleman’s Companion , February 1732]
    Walking across town towards the Key, my conscience pricked me horribly. I was behaving like a boor, and Esther’s forbearance only made matters worse. At least she wasn’t trying to insist I wear a wig; I find them abominably itchy and much prefer wearing my own hair.
    I hesitated, then steeled myself and detoured to the shop of Mr Watson the tailor, at the foot of the Side, where that winding street opens out a little. It was a cramped shop in one of the oldest, most creaking houses in town, but it was elegantly done out. I fancied I smelt money the moment I walked in.
    I was served by the man himself, who was dressed in the height of fashion: a reddish-brown coat with huge cuffs and bright buttons. He irritated me before two minutes were out by revealing he’d been expecting me. ‘Sooner or later,’ he said,