Page 60 of The Gentlewoman Companion

Chapter Fourteen

James and Hugh remained in the study long after the house quieted. Exactly as James had anticipated, Hugh listened to explanations of recent events and revelations with interest but without judgment.

“I can’t sit among my peers—hypocrites who extoll morals and duty—not after what I learned about father. You are familiar with his thunderings against moral decay, and all while he had multiple children tucked all over London.”

“The lords will survive without you.” Hugh swallowed his brandy. “You are busy enough trying to reconcile with your father’s past. People are complicated—even fathers.”

“I’m struggling to have compassion for him when he abandoned his offspring.”

Hugh placed a hand on Halverton’s shoulder with unexpected gentleness. “I cannot imagine the pain it must have caused, finding that letter, discovering your siblings.”

“I am hopeful the guinea I send will prove something to Margaret. As for parliament, I will instead focus my efforts on supporting the Foundling Hospital, become a member of the General Committee of Governors and Guardians. I hope they’ll vote me in, despite my refusing to step into the House.”

In conversing with his old friend, James found he had solidified his intentions. Stepping from the comforts of Grosvenor Square to the poverty of Rosemary Lane had tied him to the children who lived there. The invisible cord that attached him to his home had unspooled, looping and tying itself to every wanting child in his path. It fastened to Margaret and Samuel and had not severed upon his return home.

Hugh stood and stretched before retaking his seat. “You know, you can’t save them all.”

“Of course not. But I can use whatever means within my power to help some.”

“It sounds like you have it worked out. What about Miss Thorpe?” Hugh asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Who is she, why is she here, and does she know you are in love with her?”

Halverton opened his mouth, but only blustering confusion ensued. He cleared his throat. “Miss Thorpe is my mother’s companion. Love her? Preposterous.”

“Ah, so you haven’t admitted the truth to yourself.”

“You’re insufferable.”

Hugh laughed. “Well, she is almost as delighted with you as you are with her. She barely pulled her sparkling eyes from your face all evening.”

“Nonsense. We are merely good friends. She is a wonder with my mother, who was always lively but began to have bouts of melancholy that Loui—Miss Thorpe has cured.”

“Louisa, is it? You cannot keep it from yourself much longer.”

“Truth be told, were I ready to declare myself—which I am not—I would still hesitate to do so because I see something, I don’t know…raw inside her that convinces me she is not looking for a suitor. Or perhaps she has not quite settled a dissonance within herself. That may make little sense to you, having just met her.”

“There is something vulnerable about her.”

“Yes. She is almost skittish at times, yet she’s the bravest woman I’ve ever met. Wait until you see her on a horse.”

Hugh grinned. “I shall hope for the chance.”

The following morning, James received the small package, yet unopened, containing the letter and guinea he’d sent to Margaret. He withdrew the money before crumpling the letter and tossing it into the fire.

A knock sounded at the door. Damn. He was barely dressed, and no one knew he was in town. Could it be Margaret, ready to accept his help?

Graham bowed. “Lord Tilney to see you, my lord.”

Halverton groaned. “Tell him I’m not at home.”

“Lord Halverton.” Lord Tilney stepped into the room, his thin legs unreasonably steady beneath a round middle. A bundle of papers protruded from under his arms, which he withdrew and began arranging on the vacant desktop. “Are you ready for your speech?”

“I presume you’ve received my letter?”

“We all get struck with nerves, my boy, but you cannot allow that to prevent you fulfilling your duty.”