“That’s good to hear,” he breathed. “I wondered if you were still taking investors.”
Danvers lifted his brows. “I am. But I must be a bit choosier now that we’re starting to transition into the next phases. Who did you have in mind?”
“What about a woman?” he asked. “Or would she need a male sponsor in order to place some funds in your care?”
Danvers shook his head with a snort. “I’ve always thought the notion that a woman would need a minder to make her own decisions to be the most ridiculous one. Most women in my acquaintance are more measured and intelligent than any of their male counterparts. Who did you have in mind?”
Alexander’s chest grew tight. In order to explain what he desired, he was going to have to tell Danvers some of what had happened in the countryside. He’d have to tell Julia’s story on her behalf and that felt uncomfortable.
“I know you to be a man of restraint.”
“I try to be,” Danvers said, tilting his head.
“Not one to gossip?”
To his surprise, Danvers gave one of those rare, brief grins. “I’m sorry, I laugh because it drives my wife mad when I hear some tidbit and don’t think to share it for days. So no, I’m not a gossip. If the person you have in mind requires discretion, I will happily grant it.”
Alexander believed him. He didn’t seem the kind of man onecouldn’tbelieve. He let out a shaky sigh. “You—you asked me earlier about my cousin’s wedding. I’m back in Town because…” He looked around to make sure no one was listening. “He ended it with Miss Comerford. Badly. The news should be far and wide within days. And if he and my grandfather have their way, it will be given in the way most likely to damage her.”
“Ugh.” Danvers turned his head. “Disgusting.”
“I agree. It’s abominable behavior, and yet I can do little to prevent it. All I can hope to do is help her shore up her situation so that she might not be entirely ruined by whatever they do or say.”
Danvers was watching him now. “You’re close to the lady?”
Alexander dropped his gaze. “Only in passing, only as my cousin’s mistress and later his intended. I do know she doesn’t deserve this treatment.”
“No. No one does,” Danvers said. “And does shewantto invest with me? Or is this just your attempt to protect her?”
“She does,” Alexander said. “She has had many a question for me about your work.”
Danvers seemed to consider the situation for a moment. Then he said, “Why don’t you bring the lady by my home tomorrow? We can share supper, I’ll answer her questions and let her decide about how to handle her money. We can do it in private.”
“At your home?” Alexander breathed. “I hate to ask this, but will your wife approve of that invitation? I know Julia’s character, but many women of Mrs. Danvers’ station would only see her for how she’s made her way in the world thus far. I don’t want to make Julia uncomfortable or to feel judged after what she’s been through.”
Danvers was watching him closely, seeing too much, Alexander feared. “I’m glad to find someone protective over her, but there’s no need. I know my Rosalinde. She is accepting and kind and she knows the world is complicated. I’ve no doubt she’ll welcome Miss Comerford with open arms. Shall I send over the details to you later today?”
“Yes, and I’ll let you know how Julia responds as soon as I pass your invitation along,” Alexander said.
Danvers got up and extended a hand. “I look forward to seeing you both. Now I have much to attend to, so I’ll bid you farewell.”
After they shook hands, Danvers departed and Alexander retook his seat with a thunk. He’d half-believed he’d have to convince Danvers to accept Julia’s money and now she had been invited to the man’s house to share a meal with his wife. Hopefully that would give her some relief.
He had an even greater hope that the meeting would also help her down the road. That he could save her from whatever fate his grandfather and cousin had in mind for her. If he could play even a small part in that, it would be a relief.
Because helping her mattered. And that had almost nothing to do with the general unfairness of the situation and everything to do with her and her smile and the fact that he couldn’t get her out of his head, no matter how hard he tried.
CHAPTER 18
Alexander’s note to her the day before had been brief. A quick recounting of his meeting with Danvers and an unexpected invitation to dine with the man and his wife at their home in London. Julia knew full well that it wasn’t just a pleasant supper she’d be attending. She’d have to prove her worth, answer every intimate question he and Mrs. Danvers had swirling in their heads. And in the end? He might still say no to allowing her to invest and all the humiliation would be for nothing.
Still, she’d dressed her best and tried to lock in all her armor. It was all she could do. For her future? She’d endure it.
Now, the other emotion that swirled inside of her was harder to simply lift her chin and withstand. Because whenever she thought of spending an evening with Alexander she got a horrible, hateful thrill of excitement. She knew better, and yet here she was, checking herself in the mirror one last time in the hopes his breath would catch when he saw her.
There was a light knock on her door and she pivoted toward it, shoving her shaking hands behind her. “Yes?”
Parsons stepped inside. “Mr. Castleton has arrived,” he said. “I’ve placed him in the parlor.”
