“I am staying at a boarding house at the moment, with Granson. Since I came all the way to London to see you, I thought you wouldn’t mind paying the bill, Len.”
This was how it started. He shook his head because he knew he was going to agree against his better judgement.
“Of course, we could reunite the family, and we could move in here. Certainly looks like you’ve got the space. And a footman, too! I bet you’ve got an excellent staff. Ol’ Lena wouldn’t let anyone slide. Excepting herself, of course.” Reggie winked at her.
“I’ll pay the hotel bill, but nothing more. Please get out.” Leo didn’t have the energy to put a snap in his voice as he said it.
“Well, then there’s the business of a hack,” Reggie said.
“I’ll pay that too,” Leo said. “Just leave.”
“Fine, fine. I can go. But I hope we can get reacquainted in the coming weeks. I’m an old man, and I don’t know how much more I’ve got left in me. I’d like to make amends before I die.”
Leo didn’t believe him for one instant. He stalked into the hall, where Jeffrey stood by in the foyer, clearly unsure of what to do with himself.
“Mr. Morgan requires a hack. Flag one down, I’ll pay for it. But get that old bugger out of here.” Leo trudged up the stairs to his bedroom. Perhaps it was childish of him to not say goodbye. But he knew he hadn’t seen the backside of Reggie Morgan.
Chapter Eleven
“THE ABSOLUTE NERVE!”Justine flung herself down in a flounce.
“I’m honestly not that upset about it,” Prudence lied. Perhaps she should have kept the news of Leo’s father’s arrival to herself. She should have, she amended, but her friends saw her misery, despite her attempt to hide it. And out it spilled: her time with him, Thornridge, the rush to London, the auction where he’d given up on her, and then seeing stacks of money as he prepared to run from Reggie Morgan. Stacks of banknotes that sat, unmolested, in a safe. More than enough to outbid Lord Grabe.
“He’s supposed to be gallant!” Justine protested, sitting up amongst petticoats and ruffles in a massive disarray. Her face was barely visible above the frippery. “What kind of arse does that to our Prudence?”
“You look ridiculous,” Ophelia said to Justine.
Justine slapped her hands on the cushions, causing ruffles to flutter. “Of course I look ridiculous. Everything about the current fashion is ridiculous! The curls. The petticoats. The changing shapes of the cages. I hate it.”
“You used to love it,” Ophelia reminded her.
Prudence enjoyed watching the two best friends bicker. They loved each other and picked at each other. Ophelia was cool and composed, gliding purposeful towards a goal, while Justine bounced about like a puppy.
“Well, I’ve changed, haven’t I? And that’s your fault for making me enjoy hauling my carcass up a cold mountain. Soyou can sit and stew in that, Miss Ophelia Bridewell.” Justine sat back against the couch, causing the wood to creak.
“It is perfectly normal to feel upset about Mr. Moon’s behavior,” Eleanor said, studying Prudence’s face.
Prudence was full of turmoil thinking about him. His father. His mother. The revelations that came loose in his study that morning about his family and his father’s lack of fidelity. But surely, that shouldn’t have been a surprise. It seemed rarer that a truly handsome man kept faithful to one woman, as a handsome woman might keep faithful to one man. But then, the repercussions for a woman were much greater than for a man.
“Well, he’s a glorified bookkeeper for us anyway,” Ophelia said. “He isn’t coming on the expedition, so he doesn’t matter.”
Prudence had to remind herself that there had been an article in one of the lesser papers about how women ought not to be climbing mountains. The article had not mentioned any of them by name, nor even the Ladies’ Alpine Society, but it was so pointed in its venom, the targets could not be mistaken. This had riled up her friends, and the news of Leo’s questionable conduct only piled on their already-frayed nerves.
Perhaps marrying Gregory had spoiled her for having a man in her life. True, their partnership had its deficiencies, but he’d encouraged her to learn his business. He recognized her intelligence and didn’t stifle it. In fact, he never told her she couldn’t do anything. He’d merely advised her on how to do it. But hearing stories like Mrs. Moon’s made her realize that she was in the minority.
Everyone in this room was, in some way, beholden to a man. The only exception was Prudence, and it was only through death and wealth she had gained her freedom.
“Can we please stop all the fussing and planning and talking and just go for our run?” Justine asked.
“Are you asking to train more?” Prudence asked.
“I feel like I am crawling out of my skin. And if I do that, what am I? A bit of muck and a pile of bones. I’ll not have any suitors at all.”
Ophelia laughed. “I’m in for a run. You ladies?”
Prudence nodded, as did Eleanor. Sometimes there was too much internal turmoil, and the best solution was to take to the gardens.
Sadly, a stout run didn’t help Prudence, even if it helped Justine. Prudence returned to her Strawbridge room, hungry but not wanting to eat. Georgie was waiting for her. “You’ve another note from Mr. Moon.”
