Chapter 9
The study was silent for several minutes as each Fogg attempted to collect their thoughts. Phileas had rehearsed this in his mind several times, but the reality of it had him tongue-tied. Having Jules in the house only made the situation worse, as he wasn't sure how long they would have to speak. Rebecca, in her preferred chair by the fireplace, was trying to decide just how she was going to remove her cousin's head for keeping this from her. Would she use a sword, a small dagger, or just shoot it off with one of his own pistols?
In the end, Phileas spoke first.
"I am sure the news took you by surprise, Rebecca. I have meant to cable you, but I have been recovering from a head injury and have only just healed enough to–"
"Am I to conclude that your bride had to bludgeon you down the aisle, or are you offering reasons I shouldn't bludgeon you now?" Rebecca said. "Phileas Fogg, I can't believe you didn't tell me of this so I could attend your wedding! Mission be damned! I would have been here in a trice to see that."
"And who is this girl, by the way?" she demanded. "Last I knew, you wouldn't have been caught anywhere near a proper young lady like her. Don't even try to tell me she is one of your hussies made respectable. I know a well brought up girl when I see one. Did some mother in town finally get the best of Phileas Fogg, the confirmed bachelor?"
Phileas wanted to take Rebecca to task for that. He also wanted to go back upstairs and hide. He had been sorely tempted to pretend to be asleep, in pain, in the throes of yellow fever, anything to avoid Rebecca's expected reaction. But in the end, he couldn't leave Melody to deal with Rebecca alone.
The two women were near opposites in temperament. Melody had proven to be an easygoing, practical sort, slow to anger and more apt to cry in frustration than bluster once pushed too far. Phileas had pushed her too far plenty since returning to London and had reaped consequences.
Rebecca…
No, I could not have left Melody alone to deal with Rebecca.
"My wedding was conducted at sea, and I was not at the bludgeon, sword or pistol point in the doing," Phileas said. "Both of Melody's parents are deceased. She has a brother in Kent who has been informed. He may yet take a pistol to me over this, but for now, I merely have to produce several character references to prove myself worthy of his sister."
"Don't look to me for one," Rebecca said. "I would be forced to tell him you are an immoral, arrogant, insufferable pig and always have been."
At that point Passepartout, Jules, and Melody's steps sounded in the hall. They entered the room with a tea service. Passepartout set out refreshments and informed Phileas that he and Jules were going to the market and would be back shortly.
Why Jules and Melody felt the need to attend Passepartout to market, Phileas didn't understand. He had been about to argue when a look passed between his valet and Jules over Melody's head. It acknowledged what was happening between him and Rebecca and begged permission to shield Melody from it.
Silently, Phileas nodded in agreement that Melody would be better off not hearing what he and Rebecca were discussing. The gesture also thanked each of them for their foresight. He had good friends here. Passepartout, with a good luck look in his eyes, ushered his new mistress out the front door with Jules.