Pleased with the way things went

Nat Barron permitted himself to feel pleased with the way things went in his world. Here he was, taking his ease over the breakfast table with his very fine wife Ludmilla, that was an excellent spouse for a fellow in his line – bred up in pawnbroking and fencing, able to undertake a little simple forgery was it required – though naught to compare with her uncle Kaminski, that was quite the artist. And beyond these excellent personal qualities, it now came about that her former connexions in Stepney had come to hear of this very eligible match she had made: Nat Barron, that was not only chief of all the criminal enterprizes that went forward in Seven Dials, but had influence and alliances that extended a deal beyond that!

There was the very amiable relations he enjoyed with Ezra Klein’s Bishopsgate boys, and Abe Anglesmith’s Limehouse gang, that he was now bringing into a very useful exchange, by means of his own fellows. That would convey certain matters that the authorities would be looking out for around Bishopsgate over to Limehouse, and similarly matters that might be closely scrutinized about the docks, took over to Bishopgate, where they would look quite innocent upon market stalls.

There was this very profitable accord he had established with the Frawleys of Brighton, that had been Gentlemen of the Trade for countless generations, for could readily dispose of the fine liquors &C they brought over.

Had moved on considerable from the days when Nat Barron had been the fellow to call on was there one or another or so that was wanted teaching a lesson or mayhap even putting out of the way.

Though there was still good business in that! Not that he soiled his own hands with it, but here he was, the one that provided fellows to take care of any sharpers at Dumaine’s gambling-hell, and also to warn off any fellows that were well-paid to provide services at a certain discreet club for gentlemen of a certain taste did they grow grasping and threatening. And even to prevent trouble, as in the matter of rivals endeavouring kick up riot at the Buffle Arms Song and Supper Rooms, where that popular songstress, Clo Marshall, performed.

Then there was the dingers and the ken-crackers, and the whores, and Abbetts’ dog-fighting and ratting ring, none of it, true, what one might call within The Law, but all well-run, giving no trouble, payment made or favours granted in certain quarters –

Why, here you had young swells, come into Seven Dials to see life – would go to Black Tom’s and see the swearing parrot and his learned mate, and gawp at the low-life there – lay bets on a dogfight or so – take a girl to Lil and Joan’s 'commodation house – and nothing worse come to 'em than maybe a purse lost, a sore head in the morn – never a fellow found in an alley with a knife in his gut – crimped as a sailor – no real harm done –

Young Mr Reveley, Nat understood, was now married and would no longer be in the way of bringing his former companions from the country to see Town life himself, but very like his new-made brother-in-law young Osberton would take on the charge. He made a mental note to enquire of Bert Edwards, that now had that very fine situation at Raxdell House, and owed Nat a favour or so.

For Nat’s protection extended over Prancey’s molly-house, and Bert and his particular set found that a very useful spot for their revels.

Law, said 'Milla, sure you are deep in thought the morn!

Nat blinked, and looked at his wife. He chuckled and said, went be positive philosophical these days. And how did she do?

O, I come about well enough! She smiled. There were certain signs lately that she went with child, that was very gratifying, but also some cause of worry – Nat took a fret that perchance she should not be going to assist Grigori at the pawnshop, or climb the rickety stairs to her uncle’s attic to ensure he was well – but she laughed and poopooed his fears. Was not a fine lady that would go lie upon a sopha all those months, and one heard they had hard times of it when it came to bearing – she had rather be up and about her business.

And he had come to find himself in a habit of listening to 'Milla and trusting her judgement.

Indeed, she said, I am well enough in myself, but I heard a troubling thing from Lil and Joan t’other day –

For it answered very well to have 'Milla undertake those matters, for there were concerns that the women were more like to bring to another women. Besides, he had come about to see that women had very nice judgement, not only among their own kind – he must admit that had he asked any of the other whores about that trollop Franzie, they would have told him a tale or two that would have been of great benefit to his interests! – but of men, for men were often very loose-tongued and careless in their company.

Had he took that into consideration, mayhap would never have had that bother with Rodge and Art!

'Milla cleared her throat, and went on, had Larry Hooper come around about an investigation –

Nat looked up sharply with a growl.

– naught to do with any business of ours! No, 'twas to do with that child Binnie that Whipping Marie took to look after her pup Pompey, makes quite a pet of the girl, that comes on to have quite the connexion for walking dogs and brushing 'em &C around Covent Garden, that her ma of a sudden goes wish to have back with her –

Nat snorted. That would be that slovenly Apsell mot – that took up with this fellow and that fellow and now finds herself left on her own resources – never did a day’s honest – nor dishonest! – work in her life. Living hand-to-mouth –

So, 'Milla went on, the notion is that she intends to live on the girl, that cannot yet have even come to womanhood –

Nat growled again. He would not be having that.

So Lil and Joan fathom it that here is Larry goes seek out evidence, so does the woman try taking it to a magistrate, crying and wailing that her dear daughter is being stole from her, 'twill show her bad character –

Nat banged a fist on the table. Magistrate! 'Tis a very chancy proceeding – these police courts –

Oh, those Allards were proud! They surely knew that they might ask him a favour in this matter, but no, mayhap they were thinking they already owed him over the little matter of Thad removing Trembourne’s corpse well away from Whipping Marie’s premises? Was they not the oldest of friends? Had not Maurie quite gratuitous made 'Milla a fine wedding dress and trousseau? Had not Maurie put him in the way of numerous remunerative matters?

He supposed they still thought he had deliberately murdered that wastrel Froggie sot Jacques Allard their father, whereas he had simply seen him lying drunk in a ditch, that had later filled in a rainstorm, whereby he drownded. Nat had foreseen the possibility, but no more than that. They had been glad to have been quit of the fellow – monstrous cruel to his poor wife –

'Milla pushed back her chair and said Grigori would be wondering where she was – should not dilly-dally –

So Nat went to the window and whistled up Bart and Fritz to escort her there, and having kissed his wife goodbye, with a few messages for Grigori, went back to the table to sit and brood.

After a while he got up, and pulled on his jacket and picked up his stout stick with the silver knob, then went find Thad, for the very sight of Thad was like to cause a certain trembling, even these days when he went be quite lovesick over a respectable woman in Matt Johnson’s employ.

They strode through the streets, greeted with the usual marks of respect as they passed, until they came to the low alleyway where Binnie’s ma was presently residing. Nothing like Marie Allard’s fine house in Covent Garden, kept quite separate from her business premises providing special pleasures for gentlemen that she did very well from.

Pausing outside the door they could hear voices within – had she found another fellow, then? No, it sounded like two women –

Nat rapped on the door with his stick.

He was about to rap again when the door opened.

God be with you, said the woman, that was certainly not that Apsell slut: very dark of skin, her hair done up in a cloth, dressed very plain but in good stuff –

Ah. 'Twas that biblewoman, that held prayer-meetings over to Covent Garden for the fine Misses there. And the gossip that gave her out as handsome enough to earn her living like 'em did not lie: not a young woman, but in good looks still.

She continued to look at Nat calmly.

Is Mrs Apsell within?

Indeed she is, but I do not think she is at present ready for company – there has been a deal of soul-struggle, but she comes about to see the light –

There was a sound of sobbing from within.

We come to see her, said Nat, concerning her daughter –

Oh, said the woman, she now sees that 'tis the right thing to leave her where she is –

Mrs Dorcas, Mrs Dorcas, what is it? came the weak cry.

Was the woman – Mrs Dorcas? – tall? Nat could not tell, as she drew herself up and said that 'twould be better did they leave – would only distress Mrs Apsell and very like send her into a hysterick fit.

Nat nodded, remarked that she appeared to have the business well in hand, conveyed her something towards the charities he had no doubt she was engaged in, sketched a bow, and departed.

He shook his head. Law, she has managed to give the old bitch religion. 'Tis a miracle.