Page 26 of The Laudanum Ladies' Society

‘Thank you. I do hate my intelligence being underestimated. It is bad enough when the culprit is a man, but women should aspire to be truthful with each other. Now that we have cleared that up, do you have a preferred method of consumption?’

‘In a glass of water, as we did when you visited,’ Gwen answered. She looked at Miss Rosewood for support, but the younger woman appeared to be deep in thought, staring at a striking mahogany wood statue of a woman wearing an elaborate headdress and not much else.

‘Water is dull, Mrs Walters.’

‘We talked about that ourselves,’ Miss Rosewood interposed.

‘We considered ginger wine,’ Gwen added.

‘You are clearly unused to the idea of selling a product, so let me offer you some advice: you charged a shilling, but if you make the experience itself attractive, you can charge four or five,’ Miss Salisbury said.

‘I can’t imagine Mrs Dowson paying that,’ Gwen argued.

Miss Salisbury gave her a disdainful look. ‘Women like Mrs Dowson, or that poor unfortunate whose husband beat her, should not be the extent of your ambition. Now, I have taken the liberty of preparing some sugarplums in anticipation.’

She gestured to the corner where there stood a small table with a highly polished redwood top and la base carved to look like an African child. Upon it stood a silver cloche.

‘Bring that to us, Jenny.’

Miss Rosewood obeyed, though Gwen thought from her manner that she was bristling slightly at the over-familiar use of her name. She suspected Miss Rosewood had never given Miss Salisbury leave to use it and that the older woman had claimed that right by dint of age or social standing.

She placed the cloche on the card table and lifted the lid. There were three small dishes each bearing a sugarplum, glossy-skinned with syrup. An empty syringe lay beside them.

‘Oh, I didn’t think we were going to do it too,’ Gwen said.

Miss Salisbury raised an eyebrow.

‘Why not? You have previously waxed extremely lyrical about the benefits. I really think if you are prepared to sell this to others, you should stand by your product.’

‘It is the middle of the afternoon, and we need to get home,’ Gwen said. ‘It has soporific effects, as you know.’

‘I have already accounted for that eventuality,’ Miss Salisbury said, looking pleased with herself. ‘I have a coach and horses, and Huskins will take you home afterwards. If you are too sleepy to feel inspired, then I have a bedroom in which you may rest for an hour.’

‘I have things to do,’ Gwen began, thinking of the pills waiting to be boxed up.

Miss Salisbury cut her off with a wave of her hand.

‘It is half-day closing at your shop, I believe, otherwise you wouldn’t be here, Mrs Walters. I am sure your husband can manage without you.’

‘Oh, yes, he can,’ Gwen said quickly. ‘I meant, I have chores at home. Dusting to do, ironing to finish.’ She tailed off again, embarrassed at hearing how mundane her life sounded.

Miss Rosewood came and sat beside Gwen on the sofa. ‘I have no constraints on my time, or anyone who will question my whereabouts, so I am happy to try it and Mrs Walters has no need. Will that suffice?’

Miss Salisbury looked as if she was considering this in great depth, then wrinkled her nose. ‘It will, though I am a little disappointed at your lack of spirit, Mrs Walters.’

She gave Gwen a condescending smile that set Gwen’s teeth on edge and made her decide that she really didn’t like MissSalisbury. There was something about the woman’s manner that appeared deliberately designed to provoke, and unfortunately Gwen found herself succumbing to the goading. She couldn’t let Miss Rosewood take the burden on herself alone. It wasn’t fair. She tried to remember how long the effect had lasted when she had tried it. The sense of wonder and euphoria had not lasted as long as the tiredness that followed.

Sadly, Miss Salisbury was correct that Archibald probably wouldn’t miss her as he usually spent the half day napping or playing chess. He’d become worse tempered as his eyesight dimmed further and they had not managed to save enough for the surgery, being alternately snappish or introverted. She couldn’t back out when there was the prospect of earning five shillings a dose, and she was reasonably sure that she would be clearheaded by the time she saw him. She could even give herself two drops rather than three.

‘I will have it, too,’ she said decisively. ‘If you can guarantee I will be home by five at the latest.’

‘You don’t have to,’ Miss Rosewood said quietly.

‘Nor do you,’ Gwen answered. ‘I do not feel it is fair to make you do it by yourself. We both decided to come here. We should both do it.’

‘Very well. Then, unless you wish to dissemble any longer, the matter is settled.’ Miss Salisbury reached for the bottle. ‘As hostess I shall do the honours.’

Gwen’s jaw tightened as she saw the chance of giving herself a smaller dose vanishing, but seeing no alternative, she passed it over. Miss Salisbury uncorked the bottle and sniffed it, narrowing her eyes.