Free Belgrave Square by Anne Perry

later they have caught no one at all, it rather proves my point, does it not?”
    Vespasia kicked Charlotte just as she was about to explode in defense of Pitt in particular, and the police in general.
    “Your logic is impeccable,” Vespasia said with a wry smile. “I should do away with doctors also. They are clearly quite useless. They could not even save the Prince Consort. In fact when I come to think of it, absolutely everyone I ever knew of died in the end.”
    They all turned to stare at her, none of them except Charlotte quite sure how to take this last, totally ridiculous remark.
    Vespasia’s face was marvelous. Not a muscle moved and there was not even a glimmer of humor in her beautiful silvergray eyes.
    Charlotte waited with her breath held. She would not spoil the delicious moment.
    “Ah … er,” the sapphire lady began, then stopped. Everyone looked at her hopefully, but she had exhausted her aplomb for the moment and fell silent.
    The pink lady fidgeted, opened her mouth then changed her remark into a cough.
    At last Vespasia took mercy on them.
    “It is a hard world,” she said sententiously. “The surgeons and physicians cannot prevent mortality, they can only ease pain and help a few accidents and diseases here and there; and the police cannot get rid of human iniquity, they can only apprehend some of the perpetrators and see they are punished, which discourages the rest.” She avoided meeting Charlotte’s eyes. “Even the Church has not got rid of private sin. The pity of it is I cannot think of a better idea.”
    “I … er … I—” Again the sapphire lady did not know what to say.
    “Has anyone seen Gilbert and Sullivan’s latest opera?” Charlotte came to the rescue, but did not dare look at Vespasia.
    “Ah indeed,
Ruddigore,”
the pink lady said gratefully. “A little sad I think, don’t you? I much preferred the
Pirates of Penzance.
And I didn’t understand
Princess Ida.
I am not sure whether they are for women’s education or against it!”
    “Women should be educated in the gentilities, nothing more,” the sapphire lady said decidedly. “Academic subjects are of no use and only disturb the mind. We are not designed for such things, either by God or by nature!”
    “Are they not the same?” Charlotte inquired.
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “God and nature,” Charlotte explained.
    The sapphire lady’s eyebrows shot upward. “I hardly think—”
    In the distance the band had begun the valse.
    “If you will permit me?” Charlotte seized the opportunity to abandon the subject and move away.
    But they would not permit her to escape so easily.
    “Did you enjoy it, Mrs. Pitt?” the pink lady inquired with great interest.
    “I beg your pardon?” Charlotte was totally confused.
    “Ruddigore!”
the lady explained patiently.
    “I regret I have not seen it,” Charlotte admitted. “I wonder—”
    “Oh you must! I am sure—”
    “Of course.” Vespasia cut across and took Charlotte by the arm. “We are monopolizing you, my dear. Come with me, I shall introduce Lady Byam to you. I am sure you willfind her most agreeable.” And without permitting anyone to interrupt her again, she swept Charlotte away.
    “You did that on purpose,” Charlotte whispered fiercely.
    “Of course,” Vespasia agreed without a shred of remorse. “Laetitia Fox is a fool and not a particularly pleasant one. She bores me silly. But you will like Eleanor Byam, and her husband is a most important man. He has great power not only in the Treasury, but within political circles in general. His approval will help Jack. Although of course Lord Anstiss is the one whose patronage you really need.”
    “Tell me more about him,” Charlotte requested. “I know he is a great patron of the arts and has benefited many galleries and theaters, and that he has also given a great deal of money to charities of all natures, but what is he like as a person? What are his tastes, his likes and dislikes?