The little Cotswold village of D is divided into two camps, due to the sudden flight of pretty Miss W: those who accuse her of theft and possibly worse, and those who say she is a sweet, kind young lady who would never harm a soul.
While we at the Teatime Tattler are of necessity cynical – it’s difficult to be otherwise given that our business is gossip, gossip, and more unpleasant gossip – we wish to give equal weight to each camp.
Mrs. W, the girl’s stepmother, heads the camp of those who believe the worst. Her two daughters, C and P – the elder a shrew and the younger a ninny — are naturally supportive of their mother. “She’s a thief,” Mrs. W sobbed to our correspondent. “She was always a bad sort, consorting with servants rather than respectable people. She insists on working in the kitchen, of all places—and I believe she did so with wicked plans in mind. Now, she has stolen my mother’s locket and run away. No matter the scandal it brings upon us, the girl must be caught and punished to the full extent of the law!”
Well! That does sound rather harsh, doesn’t it? To accuse her stepchild, the daughter of her deceased husband, of such infamy! A few of Mrs. W’s cronies, ladies of similar status, seem to agree with her.
The majority of the village, though—people of lower estate, from shopkeepers to laborers—are fiercely ranged on Miss W’s side. “A sweet, charming girl,” they told us, “so friendly and kind. Definitely not a thief! She’s the sort who would share her meager meal with a beggar, and has done so more than once.” As for their opinion of her stepmother—well! The villagers are strangely mum, perhaps for fear of losing the lady’s custom.
Meanwhile, where has Miss W gone? Will she be found, and if so, what will be poor Miss W’s fate?
Christmas in September!
Sir Rupert has taken in strays from time to time, but never two the same night: first a tiny dog, and then a bedraggled young woman found shivering by the roadside in the rain. He hires her on the spot to help in the kitchen, for his cook is down with the ague, and it’s only two days till Christmas.
Nell can’t believe her luck, but warm and welcoming as Sir Rupert and his household are, she can only stay till Christmas, for she will be pursued, caught, and hanged unless she can reach the safe haven of her father’s friend.
Nell adores Sir Rupert, but she cannot tell him the truth, for no one will believe her. Nor can she tell a lie. She will prepare the Christmas feast—she’d promised to—but after that, she will flee once again.
With time running out, can Rupert convince her that she is safe with him, no matter what?
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