Chapter Text
Meanwhile back at the Lodge Mrs. Polouvicka has raised the alarm as to the disappearance of her son.
“Where has Bedrich gone?” she announced loudly, interrupting Marjoy’s explanation of the differences between leaf warblers and bush warblers to an unenthusiastic Arnold and Mrs Plunket. Richard would’ve cringed at the use of his Czech name but was not there to correct nor berate her about it. That was the first sign he wasn’t about or Mrs. Poo was sure he’d have come over.
“Oh, he must be around somewhere. I think I saw him with Audrey last.” Marjory chirped. At the mention of Audrey, Mrs. Poo’s face lit up,
“Hasn’t Audrey organised a wonderful party?” she beamed.
“Oh yes, super!” Marjory agreed. Her slightly flushed cheeks and now empty wine glass indicated that she was particularly enjoying the beverages provided.
Mrs. Poo went back to scanning the crowd, Bedrich was usually easy to spot due to his height and yet she couldn’t see him still. Arnold and his wife in turn took the break in conversation as an opportunity to attempt an escape from Marjory's avian lecture.
“Perhaps you could ask Brabinger, I think he’s just gone into the kitchen.” Marjory suggested helpfully.
“Ah, thank you, Miss Frobisher.” Mrs. Poo replied. Her attitude towards Marjory was still somewhat cold ever since she had discovered that Marjory had been spending more time with her son. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the girl but she knew with absolute certainty that Marjory was not the right match for her son, no matter how helpful and kind she may be. Bedrich needed someone who challenged him and Marjory was only too happy to do whatever was necessary to be in favour. Furthermore, it would help her son to marry someone more up market… no, what was the expression? Upper market? In any case, she had been in England long enough to recognise the importance they placed on one’s social rank.
As Mrs Poo made her way into the kitchen she saw Brabinger preparing more canapes.
“Can I help madame?” he intoned.
“I wondered if you knew where my son and Audrey were? Miss Frobisher seems to think he was last with her but I can’t seem to find them.”
“I would try the terrace Madame. I believe they were talking out on there.” Brabinger answered helpfully, little did he know the attention this would draw to the pair’s absence.
“Thank you.”
As Mrs Poo made her way back through the party, she passed by Ned. He had been asked to attend the party merely to aid Brabinger with serving food and drink, much to Brabinger’s irritation. Being a distinctly outdoors type man that excelled at serving himself drinks more than others, Ned had evidently been indulging tonight. The fact the wine on offer was the one from DeVere’s supermarket, holding no issues for the man who had become rather raucous and was in the middle of a joke about a farmer and a milkmaid.
As Mrs. Poo entered the drawing room once again, whispers had already begun as to Audrey and Richard’s whereabouts. They appeared to not be helped by a rather giggly Marjory Frobisher who was only too keen to speculate on the possible goings on between the pair. Voices hushed as Mrs Poo passed them with her head held high to go out onto the terrace. Once there, she still saw no sign of Audrey and Bedrich. Soon enough others had joined her outside. People were talking behind their hands again, whispered murmurings spread throughout the gathering.
“Of course DeVere’s definitely a dark horse but Audrey?... I’ve heard DeVere’s got several women up in the City but you know what these business types are like… She’ll be one in a long line I’m sure…
You must have seen the way she looks at him, always up at the Manor about something or other…
People do all sorts of things for money, or the Manor in this case…
Never knew Audrey had it in her but I suppose since she’s become a widow…Of course I heard certain mutterings last Christmas after the party at the Manor even before DeVere…
Have you heard about her financial situation?… I saw her on a bicycle last week… I heard that she was forced to pay cash for her holiday! According to Mrs Patterson…
DeVere must be blackmailing her somehow… I think she’s probably got something on DeVere and he’s trying to keep her quiet… I heard DeVere had something on her about Marton’s dealings and she’s been forced to keep quiet. Of course she must’ve been pleased to inherit the estate when he died…
The whispers only grew in both volume and scandalous content.
Mrs. Poo was scandalised to hear such rumours about Audrey. Of course she didn't know what Bedrich got up to in London but she refused to believe her son would sink so low as to have women around him like that . A mother had a way of knowing these things about her son. She also knew that any such rumours about such sordid affairs would have much more of an impact on Audrey than on her son. To degrade a lady of such standing as Audrey was disgraceful and slanderous, especially in her own home. Reputation was paramount around here as Mrs Poo understood only too well. Initially berated in London for her gossipy ways, Mrs Poo had discovered that the English were nowhere near as ‘above all that’ as they liked to make out, especially in the countryside. In this instance, Mrs Poo found that she was drawn to protect Audrey’s reputation. There was nobody else about to do it at this moment and really it was the height of bad manners to spread rumours about the hostess of the party you were at.
Furthermore, Mrs Poo was cunning. She wanted Audrey and Richard to get together. Of course she wanted her son to be happily married once more. However, she also understood that it would be detrimental for Audrey’s reputation to suffer too much. Her high standing in society was very useful for Bedrich to have on his side. She had (as Mrs Poo was constantly pointing out to her son) roots at Grantleigh and no amount of money could get Bedrich that.
Mrs Poo wracked her brain for something else to say, she only wished she knew more current gossip. Her confidants were generally Audrey, Marjory and Mrs. Patterson. However, since Audrey had been away, Marjory was spending time with Bedrich and Mrs. Patterson had helped to spread more rumours about her son than anyone else lately, she found herself rather out of the loop. Furthermore, Mrs Patterson was more likely to spread unfavourable rumours about Audrey than anyone these days. She seemed to revel in Audrey’s reduction in status locally. Nevertheless, Mrs Poo knew that something had to be done and with her head held high, she cleared her throat before beginning,
“I believe-” she stated in the most English sounding accent she could muster- “that it is the height of bad manners to speak ill of the hostess of a party, especially in her own home.”
With the Spanish wine giving him ill-fated confidence, Ned was the only one brave or perhaps foolish enough to counter Mrs Poo’s statement.
“Ey but she’s not in her own ‘ome now is she? She’s gone off with that Mister DeVere and up to you-know-what!” He let out a hearty laugh and was joined by several others. “In the Woods too! At it like-”
Mrs Poo fixed him with a well-practised glare. One that Richard knew only too well. One that grown men kept clear of. It cut through the laughter and had a sobering effect on Ned. His laughter ceased instantly upon meeting her gaze.
“What did you say?” She asked, pointedly.
Ned muttered something under his breath. Silence fell.
“I beg your pardon?” said Mrs Poo a little louder, intent on humiliating the man who, after all, had just insulted his long-time mistress and her friend.
“I said she ain’t in her own ‘ome now an she’s off with your son.” He paused, a little of his confidence returning, “probably having it off.” though he said this under his breath in more of an envious and bitter way, that hinted at a distinct lack of such activities in his own life.
“I should think it most unlikely.” Mrs Poo replied haughtily. She glared around the gathering as if challenging anyone else to challenge her. She was met with silence.
“I believe,” she continued, “that Mrs fforbes-Hamilton asked you to help serve drinks not spread gossip.”
“Yes and to serve others drinks, not just yourself!” came a voice from the back of the crowd where Brabinger stood clutching an empty bottle of wine. This helped lighten the mood considerably.
Laughter erupted in the gathering, directed towards Ned who made his way back indoors.
“We have a saying in old Czechoslovakia,” Mrs Poo called after him “that the man who digs a hole for others will fall in it himself.”