Page 4 of Temptations of a Wallflower
He continued, anger tightening his words. “If she insists on corrupting English morals, she must know there is a price to pay.”
“That price is . . . ?” Jeremy wondered.
“Her identity,” Allam said.
His father went on, “Andyou,Jeremy, are going to discover who she is.”
Chapter 2
The roads were clear, and we traveled on into the night. I had just fallen into a doze when the carriage lurched to a stop, and I heard those unmistakable words:
“Stand and deliver!”
The Highwayman’s Seduction
For a moment, Jeremy could only look back and forth between his father and his uncle. Yet both men’s stern expressions made it plain that no one spoke in jest.
Finally, Jeremy asked, “Why me?” He spread his hands. “Of all the people to investigate the identity of this author—which I still don’t understand the purpose of—I cannot see the reason for having me take on this matter. I’m only a vicar.”
“That’s precisely why you are the ideal candidate for the job,” his uncle answered.
“Other people have tried to learn thiswoman’sidentity,” his father continued. “To no avail. But as you come from a high moral position, you should be able to get further than anyone else.”
Jeremy fought a wince at the words “high moral position.” He was no better than any other human. With the same faults and frailties, the same needs and desires. He only worked harder to disguise them. But he could never say that to his father. At all times, he had to be better, more virtuous than an ordinary man.
Still, it was clear his father and uncle had discussed this subject at length and prepared a strategy for recruiting Jeremy to their cause.
“I still cannot fathom why I must be the one to lead this investigation,” Jeremy pressed.
His father’s expression turned grim. “There are whispers in court and in Parliament. My star as England’s moral leader is fading. Especially with Prince George and his dissolute circle setting the tone for our times. The obliteration of the Lady of Dubious Quality would see my star shine again.”
“Then oughtn’t you be the one to discover her identity?” Jeremy wondered aloud.
The earl’s look soured further. “I’m too old for such work. It takes a younger man. A man of my family. That can only mean you.”
“As the heir,” Allam continued, “John cannot involve himself in the task. He has responsibilities of his own. Same with Mark.”
“But you,” his father went on, gesturing toward Jeremy, “my son, avicar,you are the perfect man to take on this task.”
Jeremy pondered this rationale. “This . . . Lady of Dubious Quality,” he said slowly. “Is there a specific rationale for exposing her?”
“Once her identity is revealed,” his father explained as though talking to a dim child, “the scandal will beso tremendous that she will be forced to stop writing her lewd books, and we’ll put an end to her once and for all.”
He continued, “Think of your cousin Marwood. And his friend Lord Ashford. Both of them married down.”
Allam grimaced and looked away.
“How did the Lady of Dubious Quality cause that?” Jeremy asked.
“She may have influenced their decisions to wed beneath them. I’ve heard from others that she often writes of the classes . . .intermixing.There is nothing good to be gained by such seditious ideology.”
“Chasing after a writer of, ah, prurient literature would take me away from my parish and my duties to my parishioners,” Jeremy pointed out.
“You’re a bright lad,” Allam noted. “It shouldn’t take you more than a few weeks to learn who our mystery scribbler is. Make some inquiries. Talk to her publisher. Booksellers. It should hardly be enough time for your parishioners to notice.”
“There’s that curate of yours, Mr. Wolbert,” his father said. “He can take care of things while you’re away.”
Mr. Wolbert was a good man, if a trifle young and inexperienced. Shouldering the Sunday services and managing the rest of the responsibilities that came with the job might do him good.
