“On the contrary, I believe you should have just as good a chance of winning this case as he has.” They strolled slowly, his grip on her firm yet soothing. It was lovely—the sort of closeness she could get used to if only she’d conquer her fears and allow it. “So if you agree and you haven’t already acquired a barrister, I would like to introduce you to one I happen to know. He’s a very competent fellow who’s helped me and my family with legal advice on countless occasions.”
Viola could scarcely think of what to say besides, “Thank you.” He was trusting her without demanding an explanation. Her eyes grew uncomfortably moist and she suddenly feared she might cry. The kindness he was showing toward her when she’d initially thought the worst of him was simply too much.
“Is that a yes then?” he asked.
She nodded. “Tremaine wants to take everything away from me. He says he plans on selling the hospital once it is his, which is something I cannot allow.” Her hand gripped at his arm with a sudden need to steady herself. “After receiving a letter from his barrister this morning, I knew I needed my own representation.” She cut a look in Mr. Lowell’s direction and saw that he was listening with a grave expression. “That is in fact what I was discussing with Gabriella earlier. I just...”
“You didn’t want me to know.”
Embarrassed, she gave her attention to the stalls they were passing. “It is a sensitive issue for me, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I could trust you.”
“I see.” He cleared his throat and said, “Few people would be so blunt. It does you credit.”
Appreciating the compliment, she couldn’t help but smile a little. “You did say that he was your friend, and you and I have only known each other for just over a week. It made sense that you would choose to take his side over mine.”
Dropping a look at her, he told her seriously, “Not when it is clear to me that he’s in the wrong.”
They walked a few steps in silence before she said, “It means a great deal to me that you’re willing to help me with this, Mr. Lowell.”
“And it means a lot to me that you’re willing to trust me to do so. Considering my reputation, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking I have an ulterior motive in helping you.”
“Do you?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No. I want to help because I care about you, Viola, though I will admit that it pleases me to know we’ll be spending more time together.”
She made a satisfied sound but said nothing further. They reached a cross in their path and he steered them to the left, toward a stall where ornate screens, rugs and tables seemed to fit the style she was looking for. “Let’s finish your purchases so we can meet up with the rest of our group. When we return home you can respond to Tremaine’s barrister and we’ll make plans for you to meet with mine.”
Chapter 11
Seated behind her desk in the office she used at St. Agatha’s Hospital, Viola added yesterday’s purchases to her ledger, tallied the expenses and calculated her remaining funds. She then double-checked her work for good measure and blew out a breath. There was still a good sum of money left—money she’d have to give to Robert if he won the case.
A knock sounded at the door and Emily entered the room. “Mr. Lowell and Mr. Steadford are here to see you.”
“Thank you, Emily. Please show them in.” Rising, Viola smoothed her skirt in a vain attempt to steady the sudden trembling of her hands. For some silly reason, Mr. Lowell’s opinion of her had started to matter a great deal, and when she’d dressed this morning, she’d dearly wished she had something cheerful and possibly even alluring to wear.
But since she hadn’t, she’d asked Diana to set her hair instead, which allowed for a prettier style than the tight knot she usually wore at the nape of her neck. Her pulse quickened and her nerves jumped as she became increasingly wary of Mr. Lowell’s opinion. Would he even notice or...
“Good morning, Your Grace,” he said, entering her office with the confidence of a man who knew his purpose.
The “Your Grace” threw her a little, but she supposed he did it for the benefit of the gentleman who followed him into the room.
A second of silence ensued, and Viola realized Mr. Lowell was staring at her with bemused interest. His lips quirked, tilting slightly to the right. And then he said, “I like what you’ve done with your hair.” Her stomach flipped over. “And those spectacles do suit you remarkably well.”
Viola sucked in a breath. Her hands flew to her face, ridding herself of the spindly metal frames perched upon her nose and setting them on her desk. She needed them for work and had forgotten all about them when she’d asked Emily to show her guests in.
Mr. Lowell grinned. The annoying man was clearly savoring her discomfiture. She frowned at him and he immediately sobered. “May I present Mr. Dorian P. Steadford? I’ve apprised him of your situation to the best of my ability, but perhaps you can offer further explanation and insight into your marriage and your relationship with Tremaine.”
Viola stiffened and reached for the edge of her desk, clutching it for support. If there was one thing she did not wish to delve into, it was this. But she could hardly expect not to, all things considered. Not if Mr. Steadford was going to help her.
So she squared her shoulders and gestured toward a pair of chairs facing her own. “Please have a seat, gentlemen. May I offer you some refreshments?”
Both declined. “I think it best if we get on with this,” Mr. Steadford said. He eyed his pocket watch. “We’re due to meet Tremaine and his barrister in just over an hour.” Steadford pulled a notebook from a satchel he’d brought along with him. “Can you tell me the name of the man Tremaine has hired?”
Viola returned to her seat, claiming it so the men could sit as well. “Mr. Hayes.” She looked at Mr. Steadford to gauge his response to that name.
His face, however, remained inscrutable as he produced a pencil from his jacket pocket and proceeded to jot something down in his notebook. “He has a good team of clerks,” Mr. Steadford said. “If you’ve something to hide, I can guarantee you they’ll find it.” He raised his gaze to Viola, who’d begun to feel slightly faint. “So my advice to you is to tell me everything. From the beginning.”
A wave of tiny shivers assailed her. She stared back at Mr. Steadford and Mr. Lowell. Perhaps this had been a mistake. It was at the very least a terrible bind, because she knew she needed the help and yet she was very uncertain about telling these men everything. Especially where her mother was concerned, since her identity could potentially influence their opinion of her, if they didn’t approve. But shewouldtell them what could easily be discovered by Mr. Hayes so as not to put Mr. Steadford at an awkward disadvantage.
