“They were not frivolous,” Arch replied evenly, “nor were they irrational.”
Stuart leaned forward. “Names?”
Arch supplied them in order. “Tidd is the only name I caught, though I could easily recognize more; two Lancashire mill owners; a pamphleteer whose rhetoric bordered but did not cross into incitement; a clergyman with reformist sympathies.” He listed associations carefully, noting which were confirmed and which were inferred.
“And Kendall?” Renforth asked.
“Not present,” Arch said, “but he was mentioned with familiarity. He has facilitated introductions.”
Fielding’s brows lifted. “Facilitated reform or facilitated unrest?”
“It is too early to conclude,” Arch replied. “The tone was deliberate, not incendiary. They want improved conditions systemized, not barricades raised.”
Baines took a slow swallow of brandy. “Idealists,” he muttered.
“Not all idealists are fools,” Stuart said quietly.
Renforth’s gaze remained on Arch. “And Miss Vale?”
Arch felt the faint concern he had been suppressing since leaving Bloomsbury.
“She spoke intelligently,” he said. “She referred to Peterloo. She argued that proprietors bear responsibility for the unrest they fear.”
Baines gave a low whistle. “That will endear her to precisely the wrong sort of gentlemen.”
“It will also endear her to precisely the right sort,” Stuart countered.
Fielding studied Arch with mild interest. “You sound impressed.”
“Merely accurate,” Arch replied.
Renforth did not look away. “Is she naive?”
Arch considered the question seriously. “No,” he said at length, “she is principled.”
“Worse and worse,” Baines observed.
“Potentially,” Arch agreed.
Silence settled briefly, broken only by the fire shifting in the grate.
Renforth rose and crossed to the side-table where a map of London lay partially unrolled. “If Kendall is building connections among reformers,” he said, “we need to know whether he intends influence or coercion.”
“He has access to her accounts,” Stuart added.
“And her trust,” Fielding said.
“She does not appear to be manipulated,” Arch said.
Renforth’s eyes flicked to him. “Manipulation rarely announces itself.”
“Very true,” Arch acknowledged, “but she is not thoughtless. She understands ownership. She understands consequence. She remembers Peterloo and its effect on her people.”
“Does she understand men?” Baines asked lazily.
Arch did not answer immediately. “She understands injustice,” he said instead, “which may prove the greater vulnerability.”
Renforth nodded once. “You will continue to attend where she attends.”
