Chapter 24

On arrival back at the hotel Adele suggested some tea and refreshments and they opted to take a quiet table on the veranda at the rear of the hotel that looked over the garden and was shaded in the afternoon.

It was a warm day with blue sky and the few white clouds had disappeared. Both felt a little over dressed for such a warm early summer day and Adele removed her necktie and loosened her top shirt buttons. She also removed her jacket. Poor Robert was unable to loosen anything and was corseted like most women of middle/upper class so sitting still in the shade was a relief. The concierge offered him a fan that was welcomed.

Adele ordered and headed to the gentleman’s toilet to relieve herself and freshen up and was pleased to find it empty. There were just two cubicles and she was thankful for that since standing to relief herself was not an option. She felt that this was another advantage that men had over women but in any case there was a more serious issue to address since she had been experiencing discomfort in her stomach that was a signal that the next few days meant regular discharges and a need to carry padding. She had some in her bag in the room in anticipation so she hoped any onset would be early morning the next day and used a silk handkerchief for short term protection against any leakage.

She was able to wash and rinse her face and neck to cool down and was grateful for the hand towels on display. An attendant came in as she finished and wished her good day taking the soiled towel and others in a basket and providing new ones. He didn’t seem to suspect that Adele was anything other than a fresh faced young man who was not mature enough to grow whiskers or a handlebar moustache. Adele tried to appear taller and stronger of course as she looked in the mirror especially since he was smaller than her.

On arriving back at the table Robert sensed that Adele wasn’t feeling well since she was holding her stomach and she had very little colour in her cheeks like she normally had. Adele sat down and tried to dismiss his concern saying that she must have eaten some bad cold meat at breakfast and her stomach was uncomfortable. She told him that the walk had helped but perhaps it had been too sunny so she needed some tea to help her stomach ache. For all their earlier differences Robert showed his natural concern and kept a close watch in case she felt sick or fainted as women were inclined to do. Mostly however that was due to the problem now facing him of a tight corset.

They sat a while and the intake of liquid seemed to be settling Adeles stomach and at least some colour came back to her cheeks. Robert persisted with questions to try to understand if Adele had a food infection or something more serious. He even wondered if she was pregnant as a result of their afternoon romp in the Club but he knew in his heart that was impossible since it was just a few days earlier and Adele had taken care anyway to avoid him entering her. Their intimacy had been more through touch as far as he could recall but they had been drinking alcohol.

Finally Adele stopped the questioning by admitting that the stomach pain was something that occurred regularly each month that was common for women in their early years from the age of 12 onwards. She couldn’t resist saying that Robert didn’t have to worry about such problems and he could just enjoy the pleasures of womanhood without the pain. He couldn’t answer.

Adele decided that she ought to take a rest before dinner and arrange for something warm that could be placed on her stomach. She didn’t think it was appropriate that she asked directly in view of her appearance so she urged Robert to ask as discreetly as possible on the basis that he was the one in discomfort. Nervously he was able to arrange for a bedpan through a maid who seemed to understand without any detailed explanation. Back at the room Adele removed her outer clothing and was soon resting in bed where she fell asleep once the pan was applied. Robert relaxed in a chair watching over her.

It was around 6 o’clock in the evening when Adele awoke from her sleep and she felt better but she was very embarrassed. At that time she had felt so bad that she really wished that she was a man who seemed to have so much advantage over women and it angered her. Then she looked at Robert who approached her with a damp cloth to wipe her brow and he seemed genuinely concerned and was displaying his caring personality that had endeared him to her from the time they first met. He stooped to kiss her gently on the lips and asked if she was well enough to meet Sir Henry and eat dinner or if he should cancel it on her behalf. Adele would hear none of it and sat up.

The dinner appointment had been arranged for 6-30 pm so Adele was keen to show she was well enough to attend and she was happy that the warmth of the bed pan had worked. Soon she was fully dressed again and back to her confident self and she helped Robert adjust his dress and suggested he might show a little more of his breasts to distract Sir Henry that shocked him a little but he agreed. Robert was non the wiser about what Adele intended to discuss with Sir Henry in the meeting or over dinner and Adele insisted that he should stay silent as much as possible and she would do most of the talking.

They went downstairs to the lounge to await Sir Henrys arrival and Adele arranged for a dinner table in a quiet corner of the restaurant. Sir Henry was well known to the staff and not very well liked based upon their reaction rather than anything they said and it seemed that he was a frequent visitor to the hotel who dined there regularly. Adele mentioned to Robert that he was closely connected with the owners as she ordered two glasses of pale sherry that she insisted would soothe her stomach rather than unsettle it.

Sir Henry was late arriving that wasn’t a surprise to Adele. He strode into the lounge and could be heard approaching as soon as he entered the hotel reception that he apparently breezed through as if he owned the hotel. Adele stood up somewhat nervously that irritated Robert since he felt she was signalling that he was better than her. He showed her no respect and he looked around the room spying for anybody who might recognise him and consider him as some sort of celebrity.

‘Now then young Arthur Fleming welcome to my patch. Did you bring me the certificates to settle your debts? Dinner is on you and I have a great appetite and a need to quench this thirst.’

Adele managed a response. ‘I have brought something to dinner but I fear it may cause you some displeasure and indigestion.’

‘How so young Fleming you are nothing like the great man and a disgrace to the family name as was your father. Come where is my refreshment? I’ve had a busy day with not a moment to myself or to indulge. My throat needs lubrication.’

Adele stood her ground and offered her hand out of politeness that was ignored.

‘Sir I have a table reserved and I’ve invited a guest Miss Roberta Fleming. Here she is.’

Sir Henry eyed Robert and his gaze focused on Roberts breasts rather than on his eyes that made Robert shiver with annoyance.

‘Ah young Fleming your taste has changed. No Nancy Boy with you tonight. Who is this creature? Any man would be ready to take her if you know what I mean. Good choice young man you are learning at last.’

‘Sir please hold back your crudeness this is my fiancé and soon we will be wed. Later this year is planned.’

‘Ah so are you inviting me to a wedding by way of this dinner or paying your debts. I care not what you do in your life once I have your shares in my hand and I have with me the princely sum of 1 guinea that I offered. I leave you to meet the banks to recover the loan notes tomorrow that I will arrange.’

‘Sir you insult me with this offer and you insulted my father moreso that took him to an early grave. Nevertheless I invited you to dinner since as I said I have something to share with you tonight that might at least cause you to reflect on your recent behaviour and encourage you to withdraw those jackasses who spend their lives hiding behind corners or peering over bushes.’

Sir Henry laughed and looked long and hard again at Robert lifting his eyes from his breasts to Roberts face. Then something registered with him. He recognised the eyes and the face and was sure this young woman was the same person Arthur Fleming had signed into the club as his friend. He had known it was a woman in disguise and such behaviour was not acceptable and punishable by banishment. However he recognised the name but he’d never had occasion to pleasure her even though he did enjoy young blood from time to time. Stupid young fool Fleming for breaching rules in broad daylight. There was a back staircase for that.

They moved through to dinner and whilst Adele and Robert looked at the menu Sir Henry ordered soup followed by venison served rare with potatoes and Spring vegetables. He ordered some fine Claret to accompany it ignoring his host and his guest.

Adele was getting angry at his rudeness that made her wonder why on earth her grandfather had hoped for a knighthood. He was 10 times the man that Tancred was and at least 100 times more a gentleman.

‘So young Fleming who is this fiancé of yours and why is she hear at our table. Business over dinner is for gentlemen and women either serve or await our pleasure after the port.’

‘Sir you continue to be rude but take care since my fiancé is not some wench you come across in the dens of iniquity that you might frequent or pick up on the streets of London she is well connected and the second largest shareholder in the Club.’

‘Never heard of a woman as shareholder so what is her connection. This is a Gentleman’s Club. Is that why she disguised herself as a man and entered the Club? A woman can’t hold shares and has no right to enjoy its hospitality.’

‘ Sir you may know her grandfather and her grandmother and I think you may find that you trade with their Company regularly and use their credit to your advantage.’

‘So Miss who might you be that I might be in fear of?’

‘Her grandmother is Roberta Deane of Tavistock Square in London and her mother was Elizabeth Deane. Her grandfather was an original shareholder in the club and owned businesses in London and Bristol that she is directly in line to inherit. He was one of the original investors in properties in Oxford Street that included the Club along with my grandfather Judge Fleming.’

‘So young Fleming what proof or evidence? There is no connection to you anyway.’

‘But Sir we are to be married with the blessing of Roberta grandmother and you cannot stop it so cease your misbehaviour. After our marriage we will be in full control of the Club and all its assets and I know that the property has increased in value significantly. Furthermore Roberta’s grandmother is prepared to settle all outstanding debts and recover loan notes from banks. Roberta and I intend to involve ourselves in the businesses owned by Roberta Deane Senior and live in London at Tavistock Square.’

‘You speak rubbish Sir so withdraw your remarks. You threaten me assuming I will withdraw but I will not. You novices have no experience of business or investment. You are barely out of school. She’ll be pregnant in no time and you sir will be sowing your oats around London spending whatever you inherit. Here is my guinea. Take it as it is my last offer or I leave.’

‘Goodnight Sir.’