Page 13 of The Secret of the Dashing Detective
Juliana ignored him and smiled wide. “I would be happy to pay for it.”
“Very well. That is settled, then,” Mrs. Stone said, clapping her hands together. “Anyone else?”
“I have a question.”
Juliana stilled. She knew that voice. She turned, her eyes wide at Mr. Archibald, who had stepped away slightly from the wall. The rest of the group began turning to one another murmuring about who he was and what he was doing there.
“Yes, Mr. Archibald?” Mrs. Stone said, for the two of them had been introduced at the door.
“Is such a publication likely to cause any issues? Potential danger to any of you? Is there anyone who would be disgruntled?”
They all paused for a moment, staring at him as though they hadn’t considered a potential risk.
“There will be many who don’t agree with such sentiments, that is for certain,” Mrs. Stone said slowly. “But I can hardly imagine anyone becoming violent about such things. It is not as though the opinions of a group as small as ours would greatly affect anyone’s way of life.”
“It only takes one,” he said, and Juliana tried to silently tell him with her glare not to say anything else at the moment, that instead they would discuss this afterward.
He did not take her hint.
CHAPTER5
Matthew knew he had told Juliana that he was going to remain silent and simply observe.
He had been rather intrigued by the subject matter. He had never heard of anyone who objected to the practice of eating meat, and he couldn’t quite understand it. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t slightly impressed by the fact that these people felt strongly enough about a cause to take a stand for it.
Lady Juliana spoke eloquently and decisively. He had seen a slight bit of unease on her face when she offered to print the pamphlet, and he supposed it was because as wealthy as her family was, she could hardly ask her brother for the funds for this. Not when he had, as Matthew now gathered, obviously been against Juliana’s participation in such a society.
Knowing he was likely going to hear about this in the future from the duke, Matthew was most uneasy with Juliana’s idea to begin sharing their opinions with society as a whole.
“What about those in the agricultural industry?” he questioned. “Farmers? Those who run the markets at Smithfield? Might you be questioning their income, their way of life?”
The other young woman in the room bit her lip while Mrs. Stone’s gaze hardened, as though she was preparing herself to fight for her cause no matter the consequences.
“I can understand your concern, Mr. Archibald,” Mrs. Stone said, obviously trying to placate him. “Lady Juliana has the highest profile out of any of us and she could be targeted by anyone who would be upset, although my feeling is that the chances are rather low. Perhaps if the pamphlet does not mention any of our names? We could ask that anyone interested in joining us write to a separate address, and from there we can determine whether or not they are scrupulous enough to allow into our meetings.”
Matthew considered the idea even as he ignored Lady Juliana’s glare.
“Very well,” he finally said. “You can provide my office address.”
“Mr. Archibald,” Lady Juliana said tersely, clearly controlling her ire with him, “I do not believe that is necessary. We do not require your involvement in this.”
“I am happy to arrange it,” he said. He then hesitated for a moment, for he hadn’t had any intention to offer additional services, but at Lady Juliana’s annoyance with him, he couldn’t help teasing her more.
“I would also like to offer any drawings you require.”
“Pardon me?” Lady Juliana said incredulously, an eyebrow lifted.
“I happen to have some artistic ability. You mentioned you need drawings. I would be happy to provide them.”
Lady Juliana let out a sound that was half-cough, half-snort, and Matthew couldn’t help a smile of satisfaction. He had no idea why, but he liked piquing this woman’s temper.
“That would be wonderful, Mr. Archibald. Thank you,” Mrs. Stone said with a warm smile.
“Mr. Archibald, are you a vegetarian?” Lady Juliana asked, even though she already knew the answer, piercing him with her green-eyed stare.
“I am not.”
“Do you have any interest in seeing to the welfare of animals?”
