[MaC] More speculation in the lounge

[Margaret Dean]

> >  Nicola, who was busy scooping the various and sundry 
> > items back into the bag, began apologizing: "I'm 
> > terribly sorry, Mrs. Fitzroy, it was my idea. I know 
> > it's the height of rudeness to go through someone's 
> > bag."
> >
> > Her husband took a step towards her. "Leave that!" he 
> > ordered.
> >
> > Nicola turned to look at Marty Fitzroy with a look of 
> > utter disdain and contempt. She fastened Esme's handbag 
> > and held it out to the woman. "Pay no attention to that 
> > wretched man, Mrs. Fitzroy. Here you are, darling, and 
> > again, I'm so very sorry."
> >
> > Esme seized the bag and clutched it to her.
> >
> > Arabella stepped towards them. She had had rather 
> > enough of Marty Fitzroy bullying people, especially his 
> > wife. No wonder the woman was so nervous. "Really, Mr. 
> > Fitzroy," she said, in the voice of the Countess she 
> > had been for so many years, "that is hardly the tone to 
> > use after your wife has just swooned." Turning to Esme, 
> > she said, in a softer tone, "My dear, under the 
> > circumstances, it's a wonder more people aren't feeling 
> > faint."
> >
> > "I'll not be spoken to like that in my own 'ome!" 
> > roared Marty Fitzroy, and he took a step towards 
> > Arabella, his fist clenching.
> >
> > "Is there somewhere else you'd =prefer= to be spoken to 
> > in such a manner?" Vangie inquired, her voice frosty.
> >
> > "Now Mr. Fitzroy, I'll not have this behaviour in this 
> > building." Hodges moved to step between the feisty 
> > dowager and the boor. The old man was still spry enough 
> > to make trouble for a brutish thug that threatened a 
> > lady of quality!
> >
> > James couldn't let the elderly man take the brunt of 
> > the brutism of Marty.
> >
> > "Marty." James said. "Hosting the party or not, there 
> > is no reason to be rude. Especially to the fairer 
> > gender, and especially given what's happened. Sit down."
> >
> > He looked at Marty intently.
> >
> > "Have we missed much?" said a voice from the service 
> > door. It was Oswald Skeffington-Nottle, with Marion 
> > Mauberley by his side.
> >
> > Marion was still looking pale and tense, but in command 
> > of herself. Her glance, however, went immediately to 
> > Anton Barowenski.
> >
> > He was still sitting on the sofa, one hand to his head, 
> > looking pale and shaken.
> >
> > "Nope, a fainting spell and some fuss over Mrs. 
> > Fitzroy's handbag, an innocent enough mistake," Michael 
> > offered.
> >
> > "You taking the lead again, old chap?" he asked with a 
> > wry smile.  "I think Lucy's already pushed my name to 
> > the top of some list."
> >
> > Oswald shot him a swift look.  "Miss Mauberley is an 
> > old friend too," he said.  "In somewhat less ... ah ... 
> > ambiguous circumstances.  How is Sandra these days?"

Marion gave him a curious look.

> > "Only Mr. Fitzroy behaving boorishly," Arabella said, 
> > holding her ground. Although she was quite short, she 
> > planted her feet, in
> > their sensible little flats, as if she was not only massive, but 
> > capable of taking on all comers.
> 
> Vangie, though not a large woman by any means, snorted in agreement and
> took a firmer grasp on her clutch purse.
> 
> > Marty glowered at her, but turned back to the bar.  "I've 'ad a 
> > shock," he muttered.  Perhaps he intended that to act as an 
> > apology.  "I was very fond of Nola, I was."
> >
> > Esme, seated on the sofa, gave a high-pitched giggle and clutched 
> > tighter at her bag.
> >
> > "Shock," Oswald mouthed at Marion.

Marion raised an eyebrow, but made no other response.

> > Marjorie casually poured a drink for Fitzroy after James was done 
> > with the gin bottle. "Oh relax, Mr. Fitzroy... here." She put the 
> > drink on the counter.
> >
> > "Then again, the last time I offered someone a drink to cool down 
> > they were killed..." She started to giggle at the macabre joke of 
> > the situation.
> >
> >  "Drink," Oswald mouthed again.
> >
> > Aloud he said, "Now, Miss Mauberley and I were planning on asking 
> > Mr Barowenski a few questions.  Perhaps ... is there anyone here 
> > who speaks Polish?  It might assist Mr Barowenski."
> >
> > He glanced around the room.  "And perhaps we need to deal with 
> > those people who are quite rightly very upset ... Should we 
> > adjourn somewhere else? Several somewhere elses, if necessary."
> 
> "I think that would be a very good idea," Vangie said. "May I offer my
> flat as one of those somewhere elses? It's only one floor down."

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea, Vangie," said Marion, then added diplomatically, "It might upset Sweetie to have strangers in the flat."


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean56 at operamail.com>

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