“I solemnly declare,” Garrickson declared, “By the power invested in me, that Lord Blanchforth and Miss Harcourt be man and wife.”
“Case dismissed,” Trimbolton declared, “Next!”
“Ah a petition that Miss Harcourt is an unfit person sir,” Garrickson advised. “Then fetch Miss Harcourt,” Garrickson replied, “Let us hear her testimony.”
“Fetch Miss Harcourt,” some imbecile repeated, and then I heard a gasp, that is when I realised Miss Harcourt was in the gallery of the court, though almost unrecognisable in her finery. Poor Grace could barely contain her annoyance, “Desist!” Madame cried, “You two are impossible, desist I say.”
“I’ll bid you good day Madame,” I declared and I slipped away suspecting that Grace was indeed a competent musician and still wilful though substantially broken and compliant for matters of fornication. Fortunately it was well tuned still and played acceptably but poor Grace her voice, it would have scared a horse at a hundred paces. “So?” Madame enquired, “Where is the harm?”
“Where is the harm?” Miss Harcourt snapped, “Its is rape Madame, that is the harm, I have reached my
