We were still discussing it this morning at the office on The Strand after seeing Lily back to Sussex Square. She had handed me her notes before leaving.
“In case you missed anything Mr. Brimley found with his examination,” she suggested.
Cheeky girl.
I hadn’t missed anything when I compared our notes the night before. But neither had Lily. She was very observant and quite thorough.
“Ye canna prevent her doing as she pleases,” Brodie commented as we shared a second cup of coffee.
“It’s only that I had hoped…”
His hand brushed mine. “That ye could protect her by providin’ an education, and a fine place to live?”
It was that, but it was more.
“The options for young women are so antiquated and restrictive.” I knew that as well as anyone. “They are expected to marry well, have several children, then quietly sit at home while their husbands are off carrying on with all sorts of ridiculous pursuits, or affairs.”
“Yer sister seems to have married a good man,” he pointed out.
“James Warren is an exception to be certain,” I conceded. He was not titled but highly educated, hardworking, and not at all the sort to go off to his club, gambling away his home and family fortune, or causing scandals with his mistress.
I felt that dark gaze as he took another sip of coffee.
“And there is yerself,” he commented. “When ye swore ye would never marry.”
He knew the reasons. I had spoken of them. And here we were. A man from the streets with more honor than anyone I had ever known, someone I could trust.
“You were very highly recommended,” I pointed out. I did have my great aunt to thank for that.
“I believe there was something about yer toes?” he replied.
I looked at him with some surprise. I had never spoken of that, something my great aunt had shared with me.
“Her ladyship might have mentioned it,” he commented as he reached out and took my hand.
“And as for yourself, Mr. Brodie?”
He pulled me down onto his lap.
“It might have been yer red hair, natural the way it is, no chemicals or artificial color.” He proceeded to pull the pins from it. “It might have been the way ye looked at me when ye were injured during that first inquiry, blood all over ye, and ye stood there like some avenging spirit. Or it could be the way ye refuse to give up on someone when it would be far easier to walk away.”
“I believe you call it stubborn,” I replied.
“Aye, there is that, and God knows ye have a wicked temper when ye get yer red up.”
“Not the usual qualities one looks for in a wife,” I admitted but refused to make any apologies.
His hand wrapped around mine.
“Or it could be that I wanted ye, more than I’ve ever wanted a thing in my life. In spite of that temper of yers and the habit ye have of getting yerself into things that ye shouldna that may be the death of me yet.” He kissed my fingers.
“You seem to have survived quite well until now,” I replied as I brushed my fingers across the beard on his cheek.
“Aye, until now,” he replied with that half smile.
“What is to be done about Lily?” I asked. I did value his opinion on things, although we didn’t always agree.
“It would seem that ye have two choices. Ye can ignore what is in front of yer eyes and attempt to keep her at Sussex Square with music lessons and whatever else it is that young ladies are taught. Knowin’ full well that she will take herself off, possibly to some Greek Isle on an adventure.”
