Chapter 12

The Benefactor

It had been a hectic, disturbing morning. There seemed to be a lull after Mr. Stewart left. Muriel wanted to rest. If she could just lie down and shut her eyes. She had been up most of the night. Then she realized all in the household, save for Mama and Amina, had been up as well. She looked over at Rosa, who was sitting on the couch next to her. Her head was bobbing. "Rosa, shall we go upstairs and lie down while we can? Curtis has gone, Mama and your mum are either asleep or reading. I think we could lie down while it is quiet."

"Oh, thank you. I feared you would stay up and I was not going to let you do that alone. Shall we head to the bedchambers?" They stood and drug themselves up the stairs. They were approaching the third floor when they heard a knock on the front door. "Oh, pish! Who could it be? ‘Tis not yet teatime and we certainly had no entertaining planned."

"Muriel, ignore it. Perhaps they will give up and return at a later time." Rosa was too tired to drag herself back down those stairs.

"I must answer it. It may be something about the break-in last night or Dr. Haynie coming early." She called down the stairs. "I'm coming!" She made it down the stairs and opened the door to find Miss Christopher standing before her. "Miss Christopher. What brings you here today? Did I forget something?"

"Well, no. You did not. I'm here to give you something. If you will give me a moment, I will begin to bring it all in." Muriel waited with apprehension. What in the world . Did she misunderstand me when I explained that I would not be ordering anything at present? She watched as Miss Christopher and another lady started pulling material out of the coach. The more they brought out, the more anxiety-ridden she became. Muriel's face turned red with embarrassment at what she had to tell Miss Christopher. The lady could not have misunderstood her. There was no way possible for her to be able to pay for anything from this modiste. With the last two days she had experienced, it made her nauseated to think she would have to tell yet another that there were no funds. She would have to tell this lady to return all those gowns. Was it gowns? Miss Christopher would have to take them all back.

"Lady Muriel, I have more in the coach. May I come in and put these down so I may gather the rest?" Miss Christopher giggled. That was the last thing Muriel felt like doing. Muriel dreaded to look into this sweet little cherubic face; confess she would be unable to accept the clothes.

"Miss Christopher, as much as I hate to tell you this, I can't accept these clothes. There must have been some misunderstanding. Sadly, I must confess, our financial situation forces me to tell you I can't afford those gowns. You will have to take them all back. I'm so sorry for any –"

"No, no, Lady Muriel. You are under no financial obligation, whatsoever. These are all paid for."

"What? Wait." Muriel stood with her hand over her forehead, trying to discern what the modiste had said. "How can these be paid for? I did not...I could not have...I don't understand." This was beyond comprehension.

"Yes, Lady Muriel. These have all been paid for, and there is more; shoes, stockings, chemises, all kinds of finery that goes with the gowns. All paid for."

"Not by me. By whom?" She was beginning to put it together. It had to have been Margaret. No one else she knew would spend that kind of money on her.

"I'm not a liberty to say, Lady Muriel. Be happy with the gowns. I hope you will be. I did my very best for you." She giggled again .

"It was Lady Maxwell, was it not?"

"No, my lady. It was not Lady Maxwell. I suppose I can tell you who it was not. That should be acceptable."

"I know of no one else. There must be some mistake."

"No, my lady. No mistake." She giggled. "Now, may I put these down. I would hate to drop them."

"Yes, yes, of course. Forgive me. I apologize...I'm in a daze, I suppose."

"Perhaps you should think of it as a benefactor of some kind. I'm not sure about you; If I was so blessed, I would be delighted."

"Oh, please. I am. I am. I am utterly –"

"Let me and my assistant bring in the rest. I hope you will be happy. And if you need any alterations, I will be happy to come here and take care of that for you."

Rosa stuck her head down the banister. "What is happening down there?"

"You must come down. You won't believe it." Muriel was walking around in circles with one hand on her hip and the other over her brow. "I'm agog. I am – I have no idea what I am."

Rosa made it down. "Go look in the drawing room."

"What is all this?" Rosa looked at the gowns, then turned to look at Muriel. "What did you do?"

"Me? I did nothing. Miss Christopher came to the door and said someone bought these clothes. And she has gone back out to the coach so she and her assistant can bring in more. I have no idea what in the world is going on?"

Miss Christopher stuck her head back in. "Here I come with more. I hope there will be room for all of it in this room. Well, I think we can fit it all in."

"Who purchased all this?" Rosa was asking Miss Christopher.

"All I can say is that it was a benefactor. I have a few for you as well, Miss Morgan."

"You what?" Rosa put both her hands up. "Wait, wait. Both of us? Certainly, you are mistaken. I would have no benefactor."

"Ah, but you do, indeed. I should wish for one so generous." Miss Christopher smiled with that little cherub face. Her assistant brought in more. Boxes and more dresses.

"This room is beginning to look like your store, Miss Christopher. We can hardly accept all this. Please, you must take it back." Muriel was confused. She kept pacing.

"No, my lady. And, if you like the gowns, you will receive many more. Now, what are your thoughts about that?" She giggled again. "Now, there is a ball tomorrow night. You must wear the gold. I think of all the dresses, that one is spectacular. I made a beautiful solid gold silk short shawl with rhinestones encrusted throughout. The top is off the shoulder with enough décolletage to be alluring, not that you need much of that." As she admiringly scanned Muriel's person. "Anyway, there is a cut up the right leg that has sheer silk stitched into it, so ‘tis revealing yet not revealing at all. I think it is my masterpiece. You must try it on while I'm here. And, Marsha, where are the shoes? Get me the shoes, if you please. Oh, and I have a beautiful thin, gold lace ribbon to weave through your hair. You will look like a goddess. You must try the dress on."

Marsha handed Miss Christopher the shoes. Miss Christopher picked up the gown. "Oh, my goodness. This is beautiful. I can't wear this. It is much too expensive. Much too fine for the likes of me."

"I think not. Now, where shall we go to help you put this on?"

"I suppose, in the library? I'm still unsure about this. I'm not sure about anything. I'm sure that I'm dreaming. This is like some fairy tale."

"I promise you; you are wide awake. These are quite real. I know. I made them." She giggled again. She was most pleased with herself. And rightly so. All the gowns she glimpsed were beautiful. The one she was to try on was beyond beautiful. She would feel like an imposter wearing it.

"I'm coming, too. I want to see it as you put it on her. Miss Christopher, I know she will look magnificent." Rosa was beaming. She was so happy for Muriel. This made Rosa happy.

Muriel was assisted removing her clothes, then Marsha helped her into the exquisite gold gown. Miss Christopher was speaking to her assistant, Marsha. "Pull it down a bit more on the sides." Miss Christopher was standing back, hand on her chin, eyes squinted. "Yes, it should be right at the shoulders. It may feel like it is going to slide down; trust me, it shan't. I have stays embedded in there to keep it from doing so. You can't see them." She stood back again. "My God, you look absolutely gorgeous. Now, get the shoes for her. You need to put them on so I can make sure the length is right." Marsha took the shoes out of the box, Muriel slipped out of her shoes and slid right into them, one at a time.

"They have a fairly high heel. Do you think I can dance in these?" Muriel was apprehensive.

"Of course you can. The sole is soft enough to allow you to slide across the floor; not so soft that you would fall. Besides, in that dress, if you were to fall, there would be fifty men running to catch you."

"She does not need that dress for that to happen – I know. I have lived with her all my life." Rosa chuckled. Interestingly enough, she was telling the truth.

"Rosa, quit exaggerating. I will most likely be a wall flower. No one knows me. Who dances with a stranger? No one."

"I will be happy to make a wager that you dance all night."

"Wager?" Muriel gave a ‘ha-ha.' We can't do that. Neither of us has any money!" Rosa and Muriel both had another of their nervous laughs. The nervous laughter had ruled the last two days, and they might even say the last week. One disarming thing after another.

"At least you will be dressed like you have plenty. And the other gowns are also lovely. This is the dress that spoke to me. I insist you wear it tomorrow night." Miss Christopher was emphatic.

"I hope I can go...now. With Mr. Sanders. That strange man that broke into the house. There is so much going on. I don't know about leaving the house. I'm unsure–"

"Worry not, Miss Christopher. She will go if I have to drag her there myself." Rosa had her hands on her hips. She looked at Muriel and gave a decisive nod. "So there."

"Alright. I will go. Right now, I must send a note to Margaret."

"Now, once again. I told you that I can't tell you who your benefactor is, I can tell you who it is not. It is not Lady Margaret." She turned to Rosa. "And you have two day dresses and the benefactor insisted that you have at least one ball gown."

"Now, where would I wear that? Playing the piano by myself? Whoever ordered the clothes must be half crazy." Rosa shook her head. "I can't for the life of me even imagine who might have done this."

"Well, whoever it was, would you please, thank him or her or them very much." Muriel's eye popped. "Please help me out of this dress. I would like to write a thank you note to this benefactor."

"That is such a sweet idea. Yes. Very nice." Miss Christopher thought Lord Martin Claymont would be most impressed by her consideration. Muriel was helped out of her gown, took off her new shoes, and ran into the study.

Dear Benefactor,

I would like to express to you the deepest appreciation for the wonderful gifts you have bestowed to Miss Morgan and myself. It was such a shock, although a most pleasant one, to see Miss Christopher coming into my home with hands over hands of the most beautiful gowns I have ever beheld. I think the gowns are much too beautiful for me, I will endeavor to do them justice. Well, as much as I am able.

I wish I knew who you were so I could show you my appreciation in person. For now, I will tell you how very much this means to Miss Morgan and me.

Please think about introducing yourself. It would make me the happiest of ladies to meet you.

Sincerely,

Lady Muriel McDonnell

She folded the letter, put the wax seal to it, and took it to Miss Christopher. "Thank you. This means more to me than you will ever know." She handed her the letter. "May I hug you? I'm so very grateful to you for doing all this. I know it must have taken much of your time." She hugged her. Then they stepped away from each other.

"My lady, I have been well rewarded. I look forward to seeing you again very soon."

"Oh, let me walk you out." Muriel kept forgetting about having no butler. She said her thanks to her and her assistant, one more time, then closed the door.

She screamed and jumped up and down. "I get to go to the ball. I get to go to the ball! Do you believe it! Rosa, who could have done such a thing? These gowns must have cost a small fortune. I have to know who it could be." She looked at Rosa who was staring at her and laughing at Muriel's exuberance.

"Don't be too very curious. You might burst the bubble. If you find out who it is, they may stop bestowing you with gifts."

"Hmm. You could be right. Oh, I care not. I'm so happy, so grateful. Now, shall we look through them all. I want to see what gorgeous gowns Benefactor had made for you." They began looking through the clothes. "And I must send off a missive to Margaret. I am going to the ball."

There was a knock on the front door. "Muriel, can you answer the door. I'm still wrestling this new dress off."

Muriel answered the door. "You are going? You are going! I'm too excited! What happened? You must tell me all." Margaret had received Muriel's note and was compelled to come as quickly as she could. Her raven hair askew and emerald eyes gleaming with excitement. "You must explain to me what has happened to change your mind."

Muriel was animated, reflecting her amazement as she welcomed Margaret in. "Come into the drawing room and you shall see." As she walked Margaret into the drawing room, Muriel swept her hand across the room. "All these were delivered to me a little over an hour ago. I was beside myself. I kept telling Miss Christopher she had made a mistake. Then I thought it was you. You are the only person I know that loves Rosa and me enough and has enough money to do such a thing. Miss Christopher said she was not at liberty to tell me who did make the purchase. She could tell me it was not you. I'm excited, shocked, overwhelmed, I can't describe to you what the feeling was like when she and her assistant began bringing in all these gowns. And they even made two beautiful day dresses and a ball gown for Rosa. Do you believe it. What do you think?'

"Wow, Muriel. Let me see these gowns of yours. Where is Rosa? Where are her new things?" "Rosa, come here. Show Margaret your dress."

Rosa came into the drawing room from the library. "I have had some lovely dresses in my life; nothing like these. I feel like a princess." Rosa twirled around for Margaret in a powder blue day dress. "Is it not most lovely? And it is silk."

"Oh, my, yes, Rosa. It is gorgeous. Even more gorgeous on you." She turned to Muriel. "Show me all of them."

Muriel went through every gown, the chemises, the shoes, the reticules, and even the matching wraps. "I can't believe it." She put her hands to her mouth. "Who would do such a thing? We have seen no one save for you and Helen. Oh, I can't wait to see Helen's gown. Is it green?" Muriel cringed.

"No! I'm shocked about that myself. Thank heaven, she finally took our advice. I think Rosa's soft encouragement helped." Margaret walked around, holding up this one, touching that one, admiring the shoes and purses. "Who do you think it is? You must have some idea."

"Honestly, the first person that came to mind was you. Miss Christopher was most adamant that it was not you. So that leaves me befuddled. I have not the foggiest notion. Whoever it is, we have named them, Benefactor . I would love to personally thank her, him, them. Margaret, these clothes had to cost a fortune."

"Yes, I would say so. Everything is the highest quality silk from what I can see." She turned to hug Muriel. "I'm so happy for you. You deserve it. You do." She turned to look at Rosa. "And you too, my dear." She went and gave Rosa a hug. "You will be riding to the ball with Mama, Helen, and me, correct?"

Muriel laughed. "Naturellement!"

"Wonderful. We shall all be stunning in our Miss Christopher creations." She looked around. "Is there anywhere left to sit down?"

"Oh, please, we can go into the library. I will ask...oh, no, I will go ask Cook to prepare tea with...well, with whatever she has. Oh, my gosh, I have yet to tell you about the break- in."

"I wondered where Mr. Sanders was; you met me at the door with so much excitement, I forgot to even ask. I do hope he gets better. I know how important he is to everyone in this family." Margaret did forget about Mr. Sanders.

"The man from Bow Street Runners, a Mr. Stewart, very nice man. He has been here three times now. He wanted to see Mr. Sanders but Dr. Haynie said he needs to rest so I sent the man to see Dr. Haynie. I hope they can find out who did this awful thing."

"Muriel, remember Tuesday when you ran back into the house to tell me there was a scruffy-looking man lurking about the house. I would bet that he is the one that broke into your house. He must have been following, mmm...well, either the coach or you. Probably you."

"Why? I know no one. I have done no harm to anyone. That I'm aware of." She looked to Rosa. "What are your thoughts?"

"Do you think it could have something to do with that solicitor?" Muriel respected Rosa's opinion. Often it was as if she had a kind of foreknowledge about things, at times.

"What makes you think that?" Muriel was thinking Rosa may have the right of it.

"We need the money which is rightly ours. He is not providing the payments. If he has taken the money for his own use, perhaps he is concerned that we have hired a barrister or private inquiry agent. We have done neither." The three sat, thinking about what Rosa had said.

"That makes sense, to a certain extent." She thought about it for a minute. "If that is the case, why would the man break into the house?" Margaret had a good point. If the man was following to ensure no legal action was being taken, it would behoove him to stay in the shadows. Certainly, it makes no sense that he would break in. "I'm most curious as to his motive for breaking in. What did he want? Margaret posed. "Or...who?"

"Oh, Margaret, please don't say that. Don't even think it. There are four ladies in this house with one coachman and one footman. Oh, and Nancy. And none of us has any money. So, there is no reason why he would want one of us."

"I'm running scenarios. God only knows. Mayhap, the man is demented and admired the looks of one of you. He broke in to–"

"Mr. Stewart is on the case, so hopefully, we will have answers soon. For now, I would like to think wonderful thoughts about Benefactor and all the wonderful things he has given to Rosa and me."

Curtis returned home only to tell Muriel and Rosa that Mr. Davis had gone to Trenchard's office twice. First time, the secretary told us he had just left. The second time the secretary told us that we were too late. Mr. Trenchard had left for the day.