“I never would have believed you to be the sort of person who cared more for public opinion than for the truth.” And there it was, the point she’d been trying to make without really being aware. It represented his strength of character, which was something she’d always admired about him although it had put them at odds with each other. He’d witnessed nearly every moment of her downfall and had spared her no mercy in his judgment, regardless of the pleasant discourse they’d shared at the Pennington ball. Mr. Dale had looked at the facts she and George had presented, and had based his opinion of her entirely on that. But if he suddenly started forgiving what she’d supposedly done just because she convinced everyone they’d been wrong, her respect for Mr. Dale would crumble.
“You mistake my meaning if that is what you think I would do.” His eyes darkened while boring into hers. “The truth is everything, Mrs. Lawson. It is the very foundation upon which I’ve built my career. Furthermore, it is what defines me as a man of integrity.”
“Then…” As relieved as she was to hear him say this with such conviction, his words made his previous statement all the more confusing.
“Forget I said anything.” Mr. Dale leaned back and crossed his arms. “It was a fanciful notion – an argument for the purpose of ethical contemplation. Nothing more.”
“Oh.” She felt oddly deflated and silly now. “I had no idea you dabbled in philosophy.”
A wry smile lifted the edge of his lips. “On occasion. Forgive me, but I probably should have preceded my idea with, imagine if…”
She chuckled. “Yes. That would have helped. I’m sorry I took you so seriously.”
“No matter, Mrs. Lawson.” His smile broadened. “How about we play a game in order to pass the time?”
“All right. What do you have in mind?”
“When we first met, you surprised me by knowing where Aboukir is, so I’m thinking we ought to test our geographical knowledge.” He gave her a pensive look. “We’ll take turns naming the countries of the world in alphabetical order.”
“Is this where I should warn you that geography is a favorite subject of mine?”
“Absolutely not, Mrs. Lawson. Why spoil the fun?”
As it turned out, Mr. Dale was a formidable match for Wilhelmina’s knowledge although she could have kicked herself for forgetting Burma. With one point against her she grinned at him with smug satisfaction when they got to the M’s and he insisted they had depleted all the names.
“Are you certain?” she asked.
“Of course I am.” He listed all the countries they’d already mentioned. “There aren’t any more.”
“What about”—she paused for effect while he raised an eyebrow in question—“Moldavia?”
“Damn.” The expletive was spoken with a laugh. “Forgive me, Mrs. Lawson.”
“It’s quite all right. I cursed too when you mentioned Burma.”
“No you didn’t.”
She gave him a teasing smile. “Just because you didn’t hear me doesn’t mean I didn’t. Shall we continue?”
He grinned at her with open abandon. How easy it was to forget the difference of opinion and the deception wedged between them when they were having fun. Eventually, it would drive them apart once more, but for now Wilhelmina took pleasure in the joy she found in Mr. Dale’s company. He was a good and decent and altogether wonderful man. Handsome as sin as well, not to mention charming, protective, and caring. A pity she couldn’t have more than this with him, but the die had been cast before they’d even met. She’d had a family – a husband and a daughter – and even though it hadn’t been perfect, they’d all loved each other. Now, with George gone and Cynthia ready to move on from her grief, Wilhelmina’s future promised solitude.
“Can’t you think of any more?” Mr. Dale asked once they got to the S’s. “There are at least two.”
They’d stopped again for a change of horses, during which they’d learned that the distance between them and their children was rapidly closing. They were only one hour apart now and while Wilhelmina grew increasingly anxious at the thought of putting an end to her daughter’s plan, she looked forward to seeing her soon.
“Are you sure?” She couldn’t think of another country beginning with S.
He gave her a resolute nod. “Would you like a hint?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Very well then.”
She tapped her chin with her index finger while eyeing him. “Singapore is a British colony, so that doesn’t count.”
“I am aware,” he murmured.
“And the Principality of Serbia is only semi-independent. The Ottomans still have a presence there, so that doesn’t count either.”
