He needed to get his mind off her. Off the whole situation. But he had even less desire than usual to go to any ton entertainments. If he went to his clubs, he risked running into Charles Francis. His friend would insist they go to either Dill’s, where they might run into Mrs. Seton’s group of reformers or to Madame Thurmond’s. And the problem with Madame Thurmond’s was now, thanks to Miss Sutton’s good deeds, he was having a hard time thinking of the girls there as whores, rather than unfortunate women who may want to be rescued.
With few other options, he went downstairs for dinner, only to find Joseph Stapleton had joined them.
Stapleton was of an age with Lynwood and Riverton. He’d become acquainted with the family earlier in the year when Ned had come under suspicion of murdering Jane’s grandfather. As one of Bow Streets finest inspectors, he’d been instrumental in solving that crime, as well as an investigation at Riverton’s estate a few weeks after that. Despite the significant difference in stations, Stapleton had become close friends with Liam, Riverton and the rest of the Kellington family.
Since Arthur and Vanessa hadn’t yet had time to find their own home, they were also at dinner, along with Liam. Hal arrived in the dining room just as the others were sitting down to the table.
“Might I inquire after Lady Riverton’s health?” asked Stapleton as he took his seat.
“Unfortunately, the babe is making her rather unwell,” said Vanessa, as she unconsciously touched Arthur’s nearby hand. “We stopped to deliver ginger from the apothecary on the way home. Jane said that tea made from ground ginger would make her feel better. I must say it is lovely having a surgeon in the family.”
“I can personally attest to her skills,” said Stapleton, who’d been the victim of a knife attack during his investigation of Ned.
“As can I,” said Arthur. “They sent their greetings, Stapleton, and their regrets about being unable to be here tonight. Lizzie especially didn’t want to miss hearing about the missing prostitutes.”
“What prostitutes?” asked Hal. Now his family was talking about brothels. Why did everything remind him of Melanie?
“Some prostitutes have gone missing,” said Arthur. “But don’t worry, Hal, I’m sure there are plenty left for you.”
“Might I remind you, Arthur,” said Lynwood quietly from his place at the head of the table, “that there is a lady present? There really is no need to speak of Henry’s exploits. Especially since our brother has sworn to reform his activities. Isn’t that right, Hal?”
Hal could not remember doing any such thing. But since he had no desire to contradict his eldest brother, who was currently at his most duke-like and had been in an uncharacteristically bad mood for weeks, he simply nodded. “So, what is this business about missing prostitutes?”
Arthur and Vanessa repeated what they’d been told by Mr. Reed.
“There is no doubt these women have gone missing, but as of yet no bodies have turned up,” added Stapleton.
“Have they been kidnapped?” asked Vanessa.
“If they have, it’s doubtful they are being ransomed. Their families would be unable to pay for their return and it would be cheaper for their ‘employers’ to simply find new girls with which to replace them. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of desperate women with no means to support themselves.”
“Don’t tell Lizzie that,” said Arthur, “or she’ll be publishing treatises about the horrors of prostitution and protesting in front of brothels.”
“Why shouldn’t reformers make people aware of the dangers facing prostitutes?” asked Hal without thinking. Melanie Sutton was certainly an irritating, fickle young woman. But one had to admire her dedication to a cause and the sacrifices she was making. Unless that person was Richard Parker. “Even now there are reformers who place themselves at great personal risk just so they can offer a better life to unfortunate women.”
It was only then that he noticed the complete silence and that all eyes were upon him. Even their unflappable butler Heskiss was staring at him.
“What?” Hal asked the gawkers. “Lizzie isn’t the only member of this family to have a conscience.”
“True,” said Lynwood. “But yours hasn’t been sighted with quite as much regularity as our sister’s over the past few months. Would you mind telling us who these reformers are that concern you so much?”
Damn Lynwood’s eyes, thought Hal. The man was much too observant for his own good. Of course, his seven-year-old niece Vi could have picked up on his slip. For one thing, the girl was exceedingly bright. And, for the other, ever since meeting the reforming Miss Sutton, Hal had been off his game. He gave his best lazy look to Lynwood and said, “I ran into a group of reformers outside Dill’s a while ago. They were making a fuss about the hell. I came to their aid because one of the chits caught my eye.”
“She wouldn’t happen to be Miss Melanie Sutton, the Earl of Heffner’s ward, would she?” asked Arthur.
Damn and blast. “What concern is it of yours, Arthur?” drawled Hal, when what he really wanted to know was how he found out about it. He didn’t think any of his brothers had been to White’s lately, where they could’ve learned about the wager. Ned was in the country, Arthur was too besotted with his wife, and Lynwood was in too foul of a mood to be in company.
“Vanessa and I do work in the Home Office,” said Arthur, with a touch of arrogance. “I wouldn’t be very good at my job if I didn’t stop by the gentlemen’s clubs to hear gossip and the news of the day. Imagine my reaction when I learned a brother of mine had placed a most improper wager about an innocent young lady.”
“What has happened?” asked Lynwood in a quiet voice that was also his most dangerous.
“Perhaps,” said Stapleton, “it is time for me to take my leave.”
“And I should allow you gentlemen time for your port,” said Vanessa.
“If the two of you don’t mind,” said Lynwood, “I would prefer that you stayed. You could mean the difference between a few bruises and a good thrashing.”
“You haven’t hit any of us in more than a decade,” said Hal. “I cannot imagine you are in any shape to start brawling with me now.”
“Good God, Hal,” said Arthur. “Have some care for your well-being. Baiting Lynwood when he’s in the devil of a mood isn’t going to help your case.”
“I am not in the devil of a mood,” said Lynwood, as he pounded his fist on the table and rose, throwing back his chair. “And, Hal, I shall be more than happy to demonstrate my brawling abilities. It’s been too long since I’ve faced a worthy opponent at Gentleman Jim’s.”
“That’s because you were asked to leave until you could get your temper under control,” said Arthur. “I must say that is most unusual of you, Liam.”
“Are you spying on all of us?” bellowed Lynwood. “Because I’ll be happy to fight you, too, when I’ve dispatched our scapegrace younger brother.”
“It’s been well over a month since I last hit a duke,” said Arthur, rising. “I am long overdue for another.”
“Enough!” said Vanessa, loudly enough to be heard. She was also standing on her chair, the only way she could rise above the towering males around her. “Arthur, dearest, I do question the value to the Home Office of Lynwood’s recent spate of temper in a boxing salon. Although, I must say, Liam, that I am concerned about you. You have been rather out of sorts and I wonder about the origin. Hal, you have pushed your family away these many weeks now, all the while spending more time with Mr. Francis, whose reputation is none too savory. And before you turn your scowl on me, we only mention this because we are so very concerned about you. A life of dissipation and debauchery never ends well. You harm everyone around you and especially yourself. None of us wants to see that. Now, gentlemen, please take your seats – including you, Inspector, since I may ask you to arrest one or all of them by night’s end. Heskiss, do be so kind as to serve the gentlemen generous glasses of port. And I shall break centuries’ worth of toff tradition by remaini
ng at the table, in order to at least double the quotient of common sense.”
There was no doubt that all the Kellington men had been duly vanquished. Stapleton did not bother to conceal his grin.
Arthur reached up to hand his wife down, but Lynwood beat him to it. “Arthur, it bears repeating that you married exceptionally well. And, Heskiss, do be so good as to make it generous glasses of whiskey instead.”
When they were seated once again, Lynwood turned to his youngest brother. “Hal, what is this wager?”
As much he didn’t want to talk about it, Hal knew there was no putting if off any longer. And truth be told, he could use his brothers’ advice. He didn’t want any harm to come to Melanie through him. Perhaps they had a solution. “It was a stupid wager I made with Charles Francis. He bet I could not kiss Miss Sutton, whom we encountered with Mrs. Seton’s group of reformers outside of Dill’s.”
“And she is also the ward of the Earl of Heffner?” asked Lynwood.
Hal didn’t want to answer, not just because he didn’t want to bear his brother’s wrath, but because he deserved Lynwood’s anger. “Yes. And before you thrash me, I can only say I deserve the punishment. Miss Sutton is an innocent in this matter. It was a stupid, thoughtless wager and I thoroughly regret it. I am already set to concede that I was unable to kiss Miss Sutton.”
“So you tried,” surmised Vanessa.
Why did his sister-in-law have to be quite so quick-witted? “Yes,” said Hal with a sigh. “I tried.”
“That’s most unlike you,” said Arthur. “To try to kiss an innocent. There are consequences for such things.”
“As I said, I failed. And upon further acquaintance with Miss Sutton, I can assure you I have no desire to be leg-shackled to the chit.” Because she was truly the most frustrating, intriguing, delicious and irresistible woman he’d ever met.
“So you pursued a further acquaintance with her?” asked Vanessa.
It was no wonder the Home Office had hired Vanessa as an agent, mused Hal. “Yes, but for her own protection. Unbeknownst to the Earl, Miss Sutton has been engaged in a foolhardy operation to recruit prostitutes to start new lives in America, where an entirely unpleasant man, who looks nothing like a vicar, named Richard Parker helps them on the path to reformed lives and the American frontier. I think he should move west and see how well that works for him.”
“It sounds like you’ve met this Parker,” said Stapleton.
Hal grunted his assent. “He says he’s here to escort the next group of women back. But I think he has designs on Miss Sutton. Are you thinking of arresting him? Because I’ve heard worse ideas.”
“Hal,” said Lynwood, “you would be well advised to avoid the topic of bad ideas, lest we be here all night discussing yours. You do realize, don’t you, that if any harm comes to Miss Sutton’s reputation – and I am hard pressed to think how it won’t – you will be honor-bound to marry her, regardless of your desires.”
“Are you saying you’d force me to marry against my will?”
Lynwood was silent for a long moment. “Are you saying that in a case such as this, with right and wrong so clearly delineated, that I would be forced to force you?”
Hal didn’t respond. He knew if it came down to it, he would do the right thing. And, truth be told, he might even enjoy being married to Melanie. But he wasn’t sure that she would ever consent to marrying him. Her uncle might force her into the arrangement if scandal threatened, but that was an even more depressing thought. He didn’t want a wife who didn’t want him. Especially if that wife was Melanie.
Vanessa cleared her throat. “If I may bring the discussion back to the subject at hand?”
“Actually, I’m rather interested in Hal and the do-gooder,” said Arthur.
“Perhaps later, dear,” said Vanessa. “Inspector, how would you like to proceed?”
“I would like to speak to this Parker. Hal, do you know where I can contact him?”
“Yes,” he said with a sigh. “I can take you there tomorrow.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
If Melanie’s aunt and cousin had suspected that Richard’s frequent letters were evidence of a tendre he held for her, his sudden appearance in London only heightened their anticipation of a proposal. Even the earl seemed excited to make Parker’s acquaintance. But Melanie thought that could be at least partly attributed to the desire to have another gentleman at the table. Surely any man, even one as good-natured as her uncle, would tire of hearing about balls, gowns and bonnets every evening. Uncle Frederick had travelled to America twice and while he’d never visited Philadelphia, he and Richard had a spirited discussion about relations between the two countries. When the ladies retired to the sitting room to leave the gentlemen to their port, the earl’s hearty laughter could be heard often.
“I believe Frederick likes your Mr. Parker,” confided Aunt Evelyn.
“What’s not to like?” Mary asked Mel. “He is handsome, kind, well-spoken and has the obvious intelligence to be besotted with you. While it is true he isn’t titled and has only the one house, I believe you could have a wonderful life together. But I do wish you would choose to make your home here in London.”
“I am afraid you’re getting ahead of poor Mr. Parker,” said Melanie, a little disconcerted by the direction the conversation was taking. “And he is not besotted with me.”
“But why else would he show up in London unannounced?” asked Mary. “It is most romantical of him to follow you here.”
“He has business in town,” said Mel. She’d asked Richard to be rather vague about his activities in America so as to not alert her relatives about her part in his work. While she was sure they would support the goals, she had no doubt they would object to her being such an active participant. At dinner, Richard had only said he was looking into some shipping ventures.
“But is it not possible that Mr. Parker had two reasons to come to London?” asked Aunt Evelyn. “I could not help but notice how solicitous he was of you at dinner. He may well have business to conduct, but part of that may be a discussion with your uncle.” Her eyes sparkled as she reached out to squeeze Mel’s suddenly numb hands.
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful, Mama?” asked Mary rapturously. “Think of the gowns we could wear to the wedding. Oh, Mel, you will be a most beautiful bride.”
Mel wasn’t sure what to say, in part because despite her protestations to the contrary, there might be some truth to their suspicions. It had come as a surprise when Richard arrived in London and she could think of very few reasons why he should make such a long voyage on the spur of the moment. And he had been rather attentive at dinner. He was probably just being a proper guest and wanting to allay any possible concerns about their friendship. But what if it was something more?
She did not believe he was in love with her. They worked well together and had common goals. They’d been friends for several years and could tease each other like brother and sister. Of course, they weren’t related and, as Mary had pointed out several times, he was handsome. Most women were attracted to him and Mel could easily see why.
Would it be so far-fetched to marry him? They had their work in common, shared goals and had mutual respect for each other. That was surely more than many couples had. And she did wonder what would become of her if she didn’t marry. She had no doubt her aunt and uncle would allow her to live with them until she reached her majority. Probably a good deal longer than that. She had dreams of moving out into the world to continue her work, but that would be harder to do alone. And infinitely easier to do so as Richard’s wife.
There were other advantages to marrying. She would like to have children, so it was imperative to find a man who would be both a good husband and father. She’d met no one in England yet who even came close to having the qualities she would look for in a husband. Most of the noblemen were too superficial, too indolent. The women of the ton weren’t much better. Although she did wish to meet Lady Riverton, given her excellent work on beh
alf of women.
If Lady Riverton just happened to have a fascinating brother whose kisses intoxicated Mel, then that really was nothing to remark upon.
No sooner had the gentlemen finally joined them, than Mel’s aunt, uncle and cousin all invented various excuses to leave Mel alone with Richard. While they left the door open for propriety’s sake, she still blushed at her family’s obvious ploy.
“I hope you are not uncomfortable, Richard,” she said. “I believe my family has made a presumption and acted accordingly. But I can call them back if you would like.”
He gave her the smile she remembered so fondly from school. “I do not believe I need reinforcements, but thank you just the same.” They sat in companionable silence for a moment. “Your uncle is a very good man. I have worried about you these many months, not knowing if you would be among people who would understand you. But they are all most fond of you. That must be gratifying.”
“It is indeed. They have been unfailingly kind.”
“Yet, you have told them untruths,” he said, looking troubled. “They know nothing about your work with the prostitutes. I knew they weren’t privy to the entire story, but I thought they might know a little.”
“I fear they would not let me continue my work if they knew the full extent of what I do. I also must be careful not to cause a scandal that would affect Mary. And, I would not want to worry them unnecessarily.”
“I worry about you,” he said. “I cannot feel comfortable with you taking these chances, which is one of the reasons I have come to London. I would like to become more involved in the selection process. While I cannot stay here indefinitely, I could hire someone to recruit the women.”
Never Run From Love (Kellington Book Four) Page 13