A Rational Proposal (Furze House Irregulars Book 1)(28)

He smiled. “There was no way I would rather have spent the time.”

She followed her mother upstairs for the night, still delighted by the change in her. “That was such a pleasant evening, Mama,” she said, perching on her mother’s bed. “I had no idea Mr Tweedie could be so entertaining.”

“He always was a dear man.”

“I have never seen you so cheerful either. You seemed almost translated.”

“I feel translated. I have remembered who I was.” Her mother sat in front of the mirror and looked at Verity in the glass with a kind of rueful wonder. “So many years, Verity. So much weight on me, a layer at a time, I didn’t even realise it was happening. Talking to George Tweedie has reminded me of the person I used to be.”

“The person you used to be when?” asked Verity, wrinkling her brow.

“Before I married.” She turned, looking at her daughter directly. “Mr Bowman was not my first choice as a husband. The gentleman George and I were speaking of this evening, your uncle’s great friend, Will Lawrence. He and I were engaged. He was on his way to ask his grandmother if she would give us her blessing to make the betrothal public when...” Mrs Bowman broke off, then rallied. “When he was set upon by highwaymen and killed.”

“Oh Mama...”

“After that, I did not care much whom I wed. Perhaps I should have held out a little longer but... your grandmother has a strong personality.”

It was the closest she had ever come to admitting she had made a mistake. Verity was forcibly reminded of Kitty’s words. I made my own bed. “Mama, I saw Kitty today,” she said abruptly. “It was so unexpected. I am to meet her again tomorrow. I do not believe she is happy. May I try to persuade her to come to us?”

Mrs Bowman was pulled out of her reflections. “Kitty? Why yes! A thousand times, yes. Verity, this is wonderful. How did you come to meet her? Is she well?”

“I don’t know. She is thinner and older, but still beautiful. She is warier than she used to be, I think. I had very little time with her before Captain Eastwick came in. Mama, she has a little girl who looks just like her. She is called Ann.”

Verity’s mother’s hand went to her breast. Tears stood in her eyes. “She named her daughter for me?” she whispered. “Why, then, did she never write?”

“She says she did. I told her we did not receive the letters. Charles is to go with me in the morning to talk to her. I do not know if it will be possible, or even if she will want to, but I will bring her back if I can.”

“Kitty!”

“Verity. You came.”

“Not floods, snow or thunderstorms would have kept me away.” Even as she embraced her sister, Verity noticed how Kitty’s wary gaze went to Charles. “Do you remember Charles Congreve?” she continued. “Julia’s brother? He insisted on accompanying me after my adventures of yesterday. I will tell you about them presently.”

“I... yes. How pleasant to meet you again.”

Verity registered the scurry of calculation in her sister’s face. Seven years had made so much difference in her. “I have told Mama. She begs me say that you must come to her immediately, you and Ann, if you so wish. I did not ask yesterday, you have only the one child?”

“That is kind of her, and more than I deserve. Yes, I only have Ann. I have quickened twice since bearing her, but... but it was not to be. I am not sorry for it. Ann’s birth was very hard. Oh, how I longed for my mother then.”

“Then you will come to us?”

A shadow came over Kitty’s face. Her arm tightened protectively around her daughter. “I do not think I can,” she said in a low voice. “Simon would find us. He cares little for me now, except as a convenience and to be useful to him, but he has a clear idea of what is his. Perhaps I might send Ann. I am fearful for her the whole time. I thought her too young for his schemes, but he has been in such a strange way recently that I believe he might grasp at anything.”

Charles spoke for the first time. “If your husband is violent or is cruel, you have the right to leave him.”

“Rights have very little place in Simon’s world,” said Kitty bleakly. “He has a powerful personality and we are possessions. If we could escape clean away I would do so in a heartbeat, but he has acquaintance everywhere. He would find us. And then he would use Ann against me.”

Verity exchanged a troubled look with Charles. “The offer remains open,” she said, “and Mama does dearly wish to see you and Ann with as much dispatch as possible. Could I write a note, perhaps, asking you to call? Would that satisfy Captain Eastwick? If I made it clear that it was a social visit?”

Again there was deliberation in Kitty’s eyes. “I daresay I will pay for the privilege, but yes, an invitation has the most likely chance of success. I very much wish to see her again - and to ask her forgiveness.”

“Then I will do so as soon as I return and I will have it sent around. Oh, Kitty, I had such a foolish adventure yesterday. I turned wrong after leaving you and found myself quite lost in the fog. By the most fortunate chance I met a lady who put me right. Molly Turner, her name is. She said she knew you. I liked her enormously.”

Her sister’s face lightened. “Molly? Well, if that isn’t just like you, Verity. You could not have found anyone better. Molly and her mother were my neighbours when I was in Water Street.”