A Rational Proposal (Furze House Irregulars Book 1)(27)
“It approaches it. If you see your friend Molly again, which I devoutly hope and pray you will not, but from previous experience you probably will, you may tell her she has an attorney for life.”
“It was that bad?”
“It could have been. You have no idea, Verity. And yes, I do see, as you are about to observe, that one instance led to another and you could not have done anything else. You might, however, have asked them in Layton & Shears to hail a hackney for you.”
“But then I should not have met Kitty! I realise now I should have taken more notice of her house. Or I should perhaps have requested that Captain Eastwick set me on the right road back.”
Cold shot through Charles. “No,” he said slowly. “No I begin to believe not doing that may have been one of your better decisions.”
She slanted an intelligent look up at him. “Is it because of what Molly said? He is one of those who dominates every room he is in and I own I did not feel comfortable with him. Something had evidently happened to overset him because he was very agitated when he first came through the door. The change in him on seeing me was quite remarkable.”
“You are quick. Yes, there are two things your Molly said that interest me considerably.”
“I am to meet Kitty tomorrow morning. I can ask her for Molly’s direction.”
Charles made an involuntary movement of protest. “I cannot stop you seeing your sister, Verity, but neither do I like the scheme. The fact that she is uneasy enough about her situation to propose the meeting in a clandestine manner bothers me considerably.”
“But Charles, I must see her again. I want her and Ann to come back with us to Newmarket.”
“You cannot abduct a man’s wife and child, however good your intentions and however dubious you suspect that man to be.”
“I can suggest it to her though. And Charles, I think you want to talk to her, do you not? Her and Molly both.”
“Dammit, Verity, how do you do that?”
She laid a hand on his. “Because I am not stupid. Do you think we women never talk together? I learnt from Jenny months ago about you winning Adam Prettyman’s West Indian actor at cards and setting him free. Even before we went to Bow Street I knew you did other work away from Mr Tweedie’s chambers. There has always been a passion for justice within you, Charles. When we were growing up I heard how you thrashed Edward Coalville when he took a stick to the boot boy. That was not the only time you insisted on righting wrongs yourself. It makes me annoyed when people disparage you for being ‘just an attorney’ when there is very much more to you than that. If you wish to pretend otherwise, then by all means do so, but do not expect me to fall in with it. You are who you are. Do not try to prevent me playing my part to help.”
“Even though you were frightened today?”
“Because I was frightened today. I do not like to think other ladies might also feel like that, and with better reason.”
Charles felt a helpless rush of admiration for this infuriating, headstrong, naive-yet-knowing girl. No, not a girl. She was a woman grown.
“May I accompany you to Newton’s tomorrow?” he said at last. “I will not interfere with your conversation, but I should like very much to know if anyone is watching your sister. And if they are, I would not entirely object to them knowing you yourself have a protector.”
“Thank you,” she said meekly. “Would you also like me to write a note to Lilith, asking that her brother accompany us to Somerset House tomorrow afternoon?”
He spread his hands in exasperation. “It seems you know my business better than I do. By all means let Fitz and I be bored together.”
She gave him an impish smile. “Then I shall do so. Heavens, we had best wash. Mama and Mr Tweedie will be down soon to dinner. Do you think he will be scandalised if I change into a gown with a little more colour? I believe I will still be able to smell the fog on this one if Bridget airs it for a week.”
“I am perfectly sure he will think you charming whatever you wear.”
“You have been very nicely brought up, Charles,” said Verity. “Thank you for listening to me. You have no notion how much better I feel.” She squeezed his hand and kissed him lightly on the cheek before hastening upstairs.
Charles sat a moment more on the sofa. His hand crept to his face as if to imprison the gossamer touch. Oh Verity. Oh Lord. Now what do I do?
Dinner was over, backgammon had been played, tea had been drunk and Charles was only waiting for his father to return before escorting Mr Tweedie home through the fog. He had, considered Verity, been thoroughly amiable throughout the evening. She had been particularly diverted by the polite determination of both gentlemen to beat the other hollow at backgammon whilst deprecating the sad fall of the dice on their opponent’s part.
A confusion of noise at the front door announced not only Mr Congreve’s arrival, but also that of Mrs Congreve and Julia. It appeared Charles’s father had gone to Richmond for the express purpose of escorting his wife and daughter home. Amidst the lamentations regarding the weather and the protestations of gratitude for their rescue from dullness, Verity found her hand being pressed by Charles with a murmured confirmation that he would be here in the morning for their appointment.
“I will be ready,” she promised. “Thank you for staying. I enjoyed the evening, but I hope it did not put you out very much.”