[MaC] More speculation in the lounge

[Pruehs, Ree M.]

> > >  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."

"Nonsense," Vangie said. "He likes people."