So it didn’t have anything to do with the Dupin case. The stress of the last few moments sluiced off. “But why? Mr. Beadle was livid. He wouldn’t—”
The truth rose like a welt on her face. Papa’s political ties. She’d just been a beneficiary of the crooked system she fought against. Her hands fisted against her skirts. “Did my father insist that you persuade Mr. Beadle?”
“No, but his friendship with the mayor worked in your favor.”
While the knowledge that Papa remained honorable soothed some of her ire, the fact his friends had no compunction against bending justice to suit their needs did not. “I am sorry to have placed you in such a position. It isn’t right for me to escape consequences just because of who my father is.”
He regarded her as if measuring the truth of her words. “You didn’t seem to mind the deferential treatment last night.”
“If you recall, I repeatedly asked to be placed in a cell.”
“True.” He studied her a moment more, then pulled something from his pocket. “Did you write this?”
The familiar bright orange dime novel cover used by her publisher appeared in his hand.
The blood drained from her face. No, her whole body. She felt behind her for the chair’s arm so she didn’t miss and crash to the floor as she sat.
How could she have been so foolish to assume herself safe? Someone must have suspected her identity and turned her in. She could lie to him, but that would work against her if he already knew the answer. But if he didn’t, there was still a chance to preserve her anonymity.
“I take your response as a yes.”
There went lying.
“Does your father know?”
“He does not.” Maybe there was a chance she could convince Officer Hall to not tell Papa. After all, he had to realize she couldn’t murder anyone. He needn’t tell anyone else her identity.
Officer Hall dropped the book on the table and pivoted away.
She focused on the title to see which book had ruined her.
The Gentleman’s Ward.
Her romance novel? He wanted to know if a book with her name printed on the bottom was written by her? A relieved laugh bubbled out.
“I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised she committed theft.” Though he mumbled as if talking to himself, she caught his words.
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
He had the decency to look abashed, but he did not back down. “Dime novels do nothing but glorify evil with their violence, unseemly romances, and bucking of roles for men and women. They are dangerous and pollute the mind.”
She arched back, unable to hide her offense. Was he really one ofthosepeople—the ones petitioning for dime novels to be banned and removed from mail delivery? “Have you even read any?”
“I don’t need to. I see the evidence of their corruption on the streets every day.”
“A man’s heart is corrupted by sin, not by literature.”
“That twaddle does not count as literature.”
“Twaddle!” She stood, but reminded herself it was a crime to assault an officer of the law. Education was the best way to deal with ignorance, and Officer Hall was in great need of enlightenment. “Very few of those romance novels have unseemly scenes, and almost all of them uphold the sacredness of matrimony and society’s roles. And books that do not, use their stories as a warning to the consequences of such behaviors. If you’ve never read a dime novel, then you are just spouting off the opinions of another without investigating the truth for yourself. You might as well be a parrot.”
“I’m knowledgeable enough to form my own opinion. My sister has unhealthy expectations for her future husband due to the romances she’s read. No man can live up to those unrealistic ideals.”
“Oh, you mean the ones you haven’t read? How do you know if they’re unrealistic?”
“Men do not have to swim across swollen rivers to save the women they love.”
He must have read at least a little ofThe Lady’s Terrible Secretto cite that example. “No, they don’t. That is just an event to make the story more exciting. I guarantee, what your sister wants is a man who’s courageous, true, loving, and willing to do what’s necessary for those he loves. Those are not unreachable ideals. I see them every day in my father.”
