Chapter Text
The Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher wafted down the front stairs of her bijou house at an unusually early hour, humming to herself. Mr. Butler and Dot were busy in the kitchen. Both were surprised by Miss Fisher’s appearance at this time of the morning, although Mr. Butler had an inkling what might have brought on her happy mood. He had seen to the refreshments in the parlour last evening while Miss Fisher entertained the Inspector. He had also seen the familiar hat and topcoat hanging on the hall tree early when he went to collect the milk, although they had disappeared when next he looked.
“Good morning, all!” Phryne sang.
“Good morning, Miss,” Mr. Butler said with a tactful smile.
“Good morning,” Dot said, puzzled.
Phryne tucked into her breakfast with pleasure. She glanced at the morning newspaper. She gazed out the window. She did it all with a vague sort of smile on her face.
After a while, she stood and stretched, and said, “I believe I’ll go get dressed.” Dot stood to follow and assist.
As they entered the boudoir, Dot began pulling the bed together. It was suspiciously disheveled. Dot hadn’t realized anyone had spent the night—it had been a long time since Dot had noticed the signs of a man in Miss Fisher’s bedroom. She was a bit disappointed; she had thought that Miss Fisher was showing signs of attachment to Inspector Robinson, who seemed like a man she could depend on, as opposed to some of the silly men who had been in and out of the house when Dot first came on staff. But perhaps it wasn’t to be: the Inspector, for all that he was attracted to Miss Fisher, would probably do better with someone less…frivolous? Fancy free? Fickle?
She knew what Hugh thought about it. “I don’t think she’s right for the Inspector,” he would say. “He’s not in the least fly-by-night, or careless like some of those rich men she carries on with. Now don’t get me wrong, Dottie, I like her, I really do; but you know how much Inspector Robinson has done for me. He taught me everything I know, and we are both in his debt for getting me this promotion, so we could get married.” They would smile happily at each other, and then Hugh would continue, “When I first met the Inspector, he was suffering through difficult times with his wife. He’s not the kind to be able to take that lightly. I don’t want to see him miserable like that again.”
So—perhaps it was better if Miss Fisher went on her merry way with other men.
No sooner had that thought crossed her mind than Dot noticed the wristwatch left behind on the nightstand. She could hardly fail to recognize it. Hugh had one just like it—one was issued to every officer at City South. Hugh’s was fairly shiny and new. This one was worn, as if it belonged to someone who had been a member of the force for many years.
Miss Fisher had been contemplating the contents of her closet, but was no closer to deciding what to wear than when she walked into the room. It had to be just right, today. The morning was slipping away, and she still hadn’t gotten downtown to see Jack…She turned to see Dot looking at her very oddly. “What is it, Dot?”
“Nothing, Miss,” Dot said, trying to cover up, and knowing she wouldn’t be able to. Despite herself, her eyes went to the wristwatch. Phryne followed her gaze and found the incriminating item at once.
“Oh,” Phryne said. She didn’t want to give too much away, and part of her had wanted to keep her liaison with Jack private for the time being; but it was not to be.
“Does that watch belong to the Inspector?” Dot asked bluntly.
“Yes.” There was no point trying to hide it, apparently.
Dot bit her lip.
Phryne had never asked Dot an opinion about a man who stayed before, and she didn’t know why she wanted to now; but she said, “You don’t seem to approve.”
“He’s different from the other men you’ve had here.”
Phryne was taken aback by this straightforward remark, but answered it honestly. “Yes. He is.”
“Please don’t –” Dot started softly.
“Don’t what?” Phryne wasn’t sure why she asked, and yet she couldn’t stop herself.
“It’s just—” Dot paused, and then she said, “It’s really none of my business. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She looked toward the closet. “Have you selected something to wear, or shall I help?”
Phryne was glad that Dot didn’t meet her eyes. “I think I’ve changed my mind—I’ll just…take a little nap. Getting up so early, you know. I’ll be down later.”
“Miss—I shouldn’t have said anything, I’m sorry,” Dot apologized.
“Nonsense. It’s fine,” Phryne said. Dot could hear that it was not fine, not at all, but she knew she had been dismissed for the moment.
Mr. Butler was surprised to see Dot come downstairs without Miss Fisher, and he said so. “Oh, Mr. Butler, I’ve really put my foot in my mouth,” she said regretfully. He merely looked questioningly at her, so she said in a very low voice, “I found a man’s wristwatch upstairs, and I said something I shouldn’t have.”
“Oh, my,” Mr. Butler said. “Did you—recognize the watch?”
“Yes. Did you know--?”
“Yes.” Nothing beyond this shorthand was needed.
Dot went on. “I should have kept my mouth shut, but you know Hugh thinks the world of him, and doesn’t want to see him hurt, and—I’m afraid I made it clear that I didn’t approve.”
“Oh, Dorothy.” Mr. Butler sighed. He thought highly of the Inspector, as well, but wasn’t as inclined as Miss Fisher’s companion to expect the worst. “You meant well, I’m sure, but I can’t imagine Miss Fisher felt very happy about that.”
“No. I apologized, but it wasn’t enough. Not yet.”