Jacob nodded. “Your team can call upon any or all Wynchesters, whenever you have need of one of our services—”
Quentin swayed, as if light-headed.
“—and we will assign appropriate missions for your crew to aid with. You’ll earn a salary, and of course mission-related expenses willbe covered. All of our resources will extend to your team, including maps, spies, access to lawyers, the Faircliffes’ influence in Parliament, medical care, a full library, in-person training, and appropriate disguises.”
His eyes met Viv’s as though to say,I listened to your words. I understood your concerns. You’re right. We do have a responsibility to protect everyone our actions impact, not just our clients. Your cousin is in good hands. Our privileges are now his. Our influence will be positive from now on. We’re a team.
“If such an arrangement is acceptable to you, of course,” Jacob added.
“Acceptable to me,” Quentin echoed faintly.
Philippa led him to a vacant armchair and handed him a cup of chocolate.
Graham lowered the newspaper he’d been reading. “Such partnerships make sense. The more good people we can empower to stand up for others, the better.”
“But I’m not a Wynchester,” Quentin protested.
Elizabeth and Marjorie exchanged secretive smiles.
“You are if you want to be one,” said Jacob. “Those who act like Wynchesters are Wynchesters. Your legal surname is irrelevant.”
Quentin almost dropped his hot chocolate as he spun toward Viv. “I told you so!”
Tommy rushed forward to rescue his steaming cup and replaced it with a sturdy plate of pies.
The tips of Jacob’s fingers touched Viv’s.
“Remember when I said you balance us?” he asked quietly. “So does Quentin. So do his friends. Your advice was sound: Having therightimpact is more important than hurling ourselves into a tempest without a thought to what else would be tossed asunder by the wind. By accepting help, we can do better for our clients. We can be betterto each other… and to allies like Quentin.”
She squeezed Jacob’s hands. His was a thoughtful solution. Quentin and his friends were never going to cease copying the philanthropic actions of their idols. Like her, they needed the freedom to forge their own paths, even if their decisions weren’t always what Viv would have liked.
This way, they’d have a robust network of helping hands at their disposal. Support, in any way one might need it, at any time, no questions asked.
There would always be risks, but when it was spread amongst dozens of willing co-conspirators, each with their own skills and privileges and talents… They wouldn’t just be a force for good. They’d be a force of nature.
It was enough to start a revolution.
Viv nodded. “Thank you for listening to me. We do make a good team, and now we’ll be an even better one. Though I’m not sure we truly achieved justice in Quentin’s case.”
Graham handed her the newspaper he’d been reading. “Don’t be so certain, until you’ve read tomorrow’s edition of theTimes. I managed to get my hands on an advance copy of the society pages. What you want to see is front and center.”
Viv shook out the paper. Her jaw dropped at the bold title across the top:
DISGRACEDARISTOCRATLORDUPPINGTON TOBETRIED ONCHARGES OFBLACKMAIL,BURGLARY, ANDKIDNAPPING
The article scornfully detailed the lengths to which fashionable Uppington and his plantation-owning father had gone, in order to keep the imbalance of power favoring the upper classes and subdue the will of their common countrymen.
She jerked her head up toward Jacob, eyes wide. “Will the earl sue for libel and defamation?”
“Any investigation would only further prove his involvement. The handkerchief you removed from Quentin’s mouth was the cloth Uppington impulsively gagged him with during the abduction. His distinctive monogram is embroidered in the corner.”
Exactly like the one Uppington had used to wipe Viv’s touch from his aristocratic elbow.
“Couldn’t he claim he’d lost a handkerchief months ago?”
“We don’t need it,” said Kuni. “Uppington’s mistress, Miss Yates, and her entire staff are willing to bear full witness against him.”
“Apparently, their working environment left much to be desired,” Stephen said dryly. “The servants were coerced into their supporting roles as well.”
