Two Coins: A Biographical Novel (Women of Determination and Courage)

“At any time since you became acquainted with Miss Pigot, has there been any sexual intercourse between you two, any impropriety, or indecency such as should not exist between you?”

There it is. The question that will define my future. I look Mr. Trevelyan in the eye. “No. Never.”

Justice Norris leans over the witness box. “And to that, will you pledge your oath to God now?”

“Yes, I swear it.” What more can I do?

“Do you remember any conversation with Mr. Fish before April of this year in regard to this case?” Mr. Trevelyan asks.

I clear my throat “Mr. Fish came home late one evening in a state of great excitement. He said the suit would go forward and seemed quite put out about it. He rambled and said it wasn’t Mr. Hastie who would suffer. I thought he meant Miss Pigot, but he left without being specific. So I followed him to his room and asked him whether I was to be brought into the suit.”

“Why did you ask him that?”

“Because I knew Mr. Hastie’s character, and he would drag me into the suit if it would injure Miss Pigot.”