The Delay
“I’m indisposed,” I said to the maid. “I have spoilt my dress.”
“Wait here.” She left, locked the door, then returned several minutes later with supplies. “I’ve notified your lawyer, who will notify the court.” She helped me clean myself and rinse my petticoats, placing them into a black linen bag, then several more armed maids arrived. “We’ll take you out the side way. Your coachmen have been notified.”
“What time should I return?”
“Court’s been adjourned, mum.”
“Adjourned? But I can just bathe, change, then —”
“Your attorney will take care of everything, mum,” the woman said. “In these cases, they allow a one week recess —”
“A whole week?”
“Yes, mum. It’s all been taken care of.”
I spent the rest of the day in my room, fuming. Damn this womanly affliction! Damn the men
