Very short Wimsey AU sort of meta-fic

[nineveh_uk]

‘You can sit down, you know,’ said Miss Vane, gesturing to the other armchair. Boyes sat.

‘How about some coffee, old girl?’

Miss Vane looked at him coldly. ‘I said you could come round. If you want someone to serve you food and drink, I suggest you employ a maid.’

*

‘Mr Boyes!’ exclaimed Hannah Westlock, opening the door to find that gentleman on the top step, supported by the strong arm of the driver. ‘Now you sit down here, and I’ll ring for the doctor.’

‘Never mind the doctor, get me a brandy. That b- wouldn’t even give me a cup of coffee.’

***

Forget buying poison while giving the name of famous murderers, or living with your boyfriend. Ironically, what ultimately lands Harriet Vane in the dock isn’t a social transgression, but adherence to social rules of politeness, first that Harriet actually agree to Boyes' demand that they meet, second that having done so she is required to play the hostess. Rules so strict that the murderer can rely on them in setting up his alibi: Urquhart offers Boyes Turkish coffee, which Boyes doesn’t like, thus setting up the chance for a statement that Harriet will offer coffee, and increasing the chance of Boyes actually drinking it.

Comments

[sam-t.livejournal.com]

Ah, but then he'd either have collapsed while still at Harriet's, or (had he made it back and told someone that he'd sorted his love life out) the prosecution would have claimed that Harriet was only pretending to be nice so she could poison him. And 'stress from the Fickleness of Woman' is probably still plausible.

(I do like the observations on the coffee! I hadn't quite thought of it like that before.)

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

If he collapses at Harriet's, then she might end up looking after him (because she can't afford a nurse). In which case, there won't be a nurse with knowledge of arsenic poisoning to spill the beans. Though Harriet recognising the symptoms, reporting it, and ending up under suspicion herself would be interesting!

[fallingtowers.livejournal.com]

Do I sense an AU plotbunny here...?

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

Only if you want to write it! World enough and time and all that.