A/N: Can't believe I wrote a new chapter over 5 years later. But here it is. I've been out of the Sweeney Todd fandom for some time, so I've lost touch a bit with the personalities of the characters, but I tried to throw myself back in anyway. Let me know. I'll work on it, if I can manage to churn a little more out. This is much more interesting than working on my thesis. College, man... Anyway. Enjoy.
Nellie was caught between curiosity and anger as she followed the Beadle to Judge Turpin's house. She wished to ask him what in the bloody hell this was all about, but he was an odious man, just like the Judge, and so she kept quiet. Soon, they arrived at their destination. Judge Turpin was waiting near the door, eager to see Mrs. Lovett, and quickly opened it after hearing the knock that signaled the Beadle had arrived with the woman in question.
"Thank you, Beadle," he said, then turned his eyes on Eleanor. She truly was a strangely beautiful woman, and he flashed a slightly seductive smile. "I appreciate your coming to speak with me," he told her.
"Right, as if I had a choice," she grumbled, cringing imperceptibly at his creepy smile, then remembered her position in relation to his as she saw his face. "Sorry, yes, you are quite welcome. If I may ask, why am I here?"
The Beadle hovered in the distance, eerily as usual, and instead of answering Eleanor, Judge Turpin addressed him. "Beadle, if you would kindly take your leave, Eleanor and I have much to discuss."
"Yes, of course, my Lord," the Beadle answered.
"Now, Mrs. Lovett, if you would please follow me to the sitting room and you will certainly understand your presence here soon," Judge Turpin requested—or rather, instructed, from Nellie's point of view. "Yes, sir," she replied, and followed yet another corrupt, disgusting man for an unknown purpose.
"And how is your...pie shop, Mrs. Lovett?" he asked, with a smirk, as they walked the short distance. Nellie was surprised at what seemed like small talk from the Judge. "Ah, fine, sir, though not the same now that me Albert is gone."
This was her standard answer, of course, though it seemed to placate the Judge. "My condolences," he said, with little detectable sincerity. It was certainly better for him that she was a widow, as the situation was much simpler than with Lucy.
After that brief conversation, they reached the sitting room. "Please, have a seat," he requested. "Yes sir," she said, and sat where he gestured. She continued to be surprised at his manners—well, at least, compared to his usual attitude—and filed the thought away for later.
"Now," he intoned, "the Beadle should have informed you of Johanna's recent bout of disobedience." "Yes, he did, but I'm surprised. She was such a sweet little girl," she said, thinking again of the small child she had taken care of for a brief time.
"Well yes," he bit out, hoping she would forget about those circumstances due to his plan of seduction, but realized that his best behavior was more conducive to that plan.
"Yes," he started again, "but I do suppose children age and change, and young Johanna has become rather greedy and disobedient as of late." Nellie, now interested in the girl's behavior, asked, "And, if I may ask, what's she been doing that's disobedient?"
"Well, she has been cold and distant, and just recently I purchased a wonderful frock as a present for the holidays, and she was unhappy to receive it. Clearly, she has become unappreciative of all I have done for her."
Nellie blinked. This awful man, who had certainly done a lot for her, but nothing good, bought an eight-year-old a frock and not a toy? And expected happiness? Of course he only wanted to dress her up for his pleasure, and certainly not hers. But he had not told her why she was here. Perhaps to "talk some sense" into the girl, ? She'd much rather "talk some sense" into him, this foul creature. "I see," she responded, "but why am I here?"
"Ah, yes. I have requested your presence because I believe that, without a mother figure in her life, Johanna may possibly be missing the influence of an older woman to help her understand her place. I hoped that you would consent to spending time with the girl, and I would of course compensate you for your time."
Nellie blinked again. This was not quite what she had expected; he seemed to want her to be helpful to the child rather than harmful, as she had initially expected. Now she was extremely suspicious of his motives, as she felt she was hardly the woman for the job. She was well-known for being a bit different than many of the other women. She was stubborn, high-energy, and smart.
And in a moment of clarity, those smarts kicked in. He is trying to seduce me, she thought. But perhaps I could help this girl, be someone in her life besides this monster. I've got no idea what to do with an eight-year-old, but with the money I could get some actual meat for my pies. And I can handle that man.
Unlike Lucy, she tried not to think.
"Mrs. Lovett?" Judge Turpin sounded impatient.
"My apologies, sir, I was simply thinking through your kind offer before giving my response. I always do, you know. I was thinking that, if what you say is true that Johanna is difficult, I might find her hard to handle, but I have decided to give my best effort and hope you will see a more obedient child after some, ah...motherly affection. I will happily accept your generous offer."
Judge Turpin smiled again, and Nellie tamped down a look of disgust in response. Truly, she thought, his smile is as sinister as the rest of him.
"I am so very pleased to hear that, Mrs. Lovett. Now, I would very much like if you would go upstairs to meet her, and I will explain to her this development." "Yes, sir," she said, and followed him, yet again.