Page 46 of Touched By a Traitor
Wilson nodded reluctantly. “Yes, well, do let me know when the time is right.”
“I shall, of course.”
“As I was saying, you and my daughter would make a fine pair, not to mention the advantageous joining of our families,” Wilson continued, undeterred by Andrew’s lack of enthusiasm.
“I’m honored you’re willing to be associated with anouveau richelike myself,” Andrew said.
“It seems you cannot be ignored, as even King William thought you worthwhile for an earldom. If you’re good enough for the king, you’re good enough for me.” Wilson puffed out his chest with self-importance.
“I appreciate that. Let us be clear. There is no understanding between you and me, nor between Lady Lidia and myself.”
Wilson eyed him suspiciously, his gaze narrowing. “I have a feeling you have no intention toward my daughter.”
“She is young, and I worry about her lack of life experience in handling a man like me. But in a year or two, who knows…” Andrew’s tone was gentle.
“That is precisely why she would make an ideal wife, one who stays out of your way and doesn’t know to make demands. Her best childbearing years are ahead of her.”
Andrew internally grimaced at Wilson’s notion of an ideal wife. “Even so… Is that what you wished to discuss?”
“There is something else. I saw the grievance statement for your case. You shall hear from the court in the next few days.”
“Who is the assigned judge?”
“Abinger… for now.”
“He is a liberal.”
“That he is. He might even be a suffragette sympathizer,” Wilson said with a wince, his distaste for the movement evident in his tone.
“If not a suffragist himself,” Andrew added, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Hoffman might be a better choice.” Wilson’s words were not a suggestion, but rather a pointed demand, made clear by the look he directed at Andrew.
“Hoffman? I want to win the case.” Andrew studied Wilson with a calculating glance.
“You may have the case heard, but you cannot validate a female barrister. We discussed what would happen if you did even if you were to discredit her after the trial.”
“I didn’t say I would.”
“You’d risk all for one cause?” Wilson asked quickly.
In addition to coveting control of Andrew’s company, he was hiding something else. The man was tiresome, indeed.
“May I rely on your support when the time comes to expel her?” Wilson asked, a sly grin spreading across his face.
Andrew tensed but forced himself to sound neutral. “How do you plan on achieving that?”
“I don’t have anything concrete yet, but the fact that she lives with doxies is a good place to start.”
Andrew frowned at this new knowledge. “She lives with them?”
“That she does. She rents out a room in the Bankside. A woman of low morals cannot possibly defend the public honorably.” Wilson’s voice was filled with self-righteous indignation.
Andrew narrowed his eyes. “How did you come to know this?”
Wilson shrugged. “I hear things.”
“You had her followed,” Andrew said, anger surging.
