A Rational Proposal (Furze House Irregulars Book 1)(44)
He gave a sudden laugh. “It would be an adventure of the highest order, but it cannot happen. I work for a living for whoever requires my services. You have plans and ambitions and a legacy coming to you. You deserve more than a man who would need your own money to support you.” He looked down and realised she was holding his hands. “Stop it, Verity,” he said, disengaging them. “I have my pride. May we put the subject away and discuss the problem of your mother and your sister and my sister?”
Verity’s heart lifted because Charles was not simply Charles and there was nothing elder-brotherly about the way he was denying the attraction. It was amazing how much better she felt for the knowledge. All her disappointment and setbacks and helplessness were now merely obstacles to be surmounted. It did not occur to her not to continue. For one thing, the idea of kissing him had entered her head and it was going to be really rather difficult to get it out.
“By all means,” she said. “To begin with, as she has told you herself, Julia is in no danger. She is saving Lieutenant Crisp from himself as a favour to his sister. She believes Lieutenant Neville is trying to corrupt him. It does seem so, but I do not know why he should, unless it is just idle mischief. His actions tonight show how irresponsible he is.” She frowned, her words trailing off.
“What is the matter?”
“How did Lieutenant Neville know of Uncle James’s legacy?”
Charles spread his hands. “You ask that with Julia’s example daily before you? Gossip disseminates.”
“The legacy is not yet common currency. Lieutenant Neville did not consider me of any value at the gallery. Now he does. Peter Crisp told Julia that Neville owes him money. Perhaps he thinks to borrow it from me?”
“Gentlemen do not borrow from ladies. Depend on it, the word will have come from Julia. Her heart is in the right place, but her tongue is never still.”
“I will ask her. Meanwhile, what are we to do about Mama?”
“You know her far better than I. Is she much given to these impulses?”
“I have never known her do such a thing before, but she has been different since we came to London, particularly since that day Mr Tweedie was here. She must have been truly crushed before, and is now learning how to breathe again. I would not set her back, but I do not wish to live here.”
“I own I cannot picture you in a villa in Kensington, but would it be so hard?”
There was genuine curiosity in Charles’s voice. Verity responded with a serious answer. “I think it would. Uncle James need not have worried about my frivolity. Your London has cured that. I cannot take part in the social round any more, Charles, not now I have seen behind the facade. I want to help. I want to open up Furze House for Kitty and Molly and their friends. If we can sustain it, then I want to open up another house after that. You have wrought better than you knew. How can I give myself to careless enjoyment when I know that somewhere children are being transported for stealing a handkerchief?”
“I did not mean to cut up your peace.” He hesitated. “Things will change, Verity. There is a reform movement in the House. Men do care. Your friend Caroline’s husband is amongst them.”
“It will not be changed next week though, or next month.”
“Nor even next year, but I believe it is coming. Verity, regarding Furze House - I should not say this but my pool of associates consider a neutral, respectable house in Newmarket would be an asset to our resources when we wish to meet. Yes, yes, you may crow over me if you must. I have suffered so much mortification today that a little more will make no difference. What I am trying to tell you is that if Mrs Bowman is fixed on staying here in London, there will still be finance forthcoming for you to take Furze House.”
Verity’s eyes shone. “Charles, how splendid. Is this Lord Fitzgilbert’s doing? Julia says he is remarkably rich. How may I live there though? I am not yet twenty-one.”
“Your sister is twenty-five. A married woman may easily chaperone her sister, even if she has left the protection of her husband.” He turned his head, listening, and then stood up. “Is that the carriage? I had best go. I will apprise Mr Tweedie of your mother’s notion. It may well be he will persuade her to move back to Newmarket. I have never yet known him choose a bold option over a safe one.”
Verity jumped up. “Thank you, Charles.” She reached up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, but he turned his head back at that moment so she caught the side of his mouth instead.
There was a second of absolute stillness between them. Her heart thudded so loudly she confused it with the noise of the street door opening. Charles was quicker. He dropped his hand from her arm where surely he had been going to take proper hold of her, and was straightening his cravat in the mirror as his mother bustled into the room.
“Still here, Charles? There, Anne, did I not tell you he would not abandon poor Verity to her headache?”
“Indeed, it was very kind of him,” said Verity, disorientated by the normality that had swept into the salon along with the rustle of silk and satin and the soft fluff of Julia’s feathered muff.
“But I must take my leave now, Mama,” said Charles. He kissed his mother, saluted Mrs Bowman’s hand and just stopped short of lifting Verity’s fingers to his lips as well.
Oh, Charles.
“I will inform you as soon as events move forward,” he said, and nodding to Julia, he left.