Page 104 of My Gentleman Spy
Chapter Forty-One
Mrs. Little washedthe dirty river water out of Hattie’s hair while Hattie scrubbed her skin in the bath. She had only been in the water for a matter of a minute or so, but she feared she would never get the stench of it out of herpores.
When a travel trunk with Hattie’s clothes arrived from her brother’s house, Mrs. Little was too busy weeping to notice the obvious. Edgar had decided that Hattie was moving back into number forty-threepermanently.
Finally, dried, dressed and with her hair tied up in a soft chignon Hattie went in search of Will. She was keen to hear hisplan.
She found him in the main drawing room seated on her favorite floral couch. It was comforting to know that her favorite room in the house, was also Will’s. He greeted her with a devilish grin, then held out his hand. Hattie took it, letting out a playful squeal as he pulled her into hisarms.
He took her mouth in a surprisingly soft kiss. She could sense he was doing everything he could to keep his passion at bay. The time for love making would come later. At this moment, they had the serious issue of finding a way to make their impending marriagework.
Will releasedHattie.
“We need to talk first,” hesaid.
His words did nothing however to dim the spark in his eyes from the reflection of the fire’s glow. He wanted her as much as she wanted him right this very minute. The heat between them rivaled that from the well stokedfire.
“Before I ask you the question which this moment requires, and of which Edgar has already given his approval. I have something to discuss with you. A plan for you to be able to have the best of both worlds. Would you care to hearit?”
Hattie clasped her hands softly together, and nodded. Her nerves betrayed her and she was soon reaching to crack her firstknuckle.
“I shall pay you a farthing every time I get you to stop doing that,” hesaid.
She gave him a sultry look and licked her bottom lip. If he wanted her to quit her habit she would only take payment in one form. Will raised a knowingeyebrow.
“I went to see Father Brown after you left last night. He and I discussed the work you do at the church. He agrees that it has always been dangerous for you to venture into the streets around St. Giles. After tonight, you would have to agree that it is no longer safe foryou.”
Hattie nodded. Even with Tom dead, the Belton Street gang would have her marked for death if she ever set foot in Plumtree Streetagain.
Shegasped.
“What about Joshua and his family? They won’t be safeeither.”
“Which is why they have been moved elsewhere. Francis went to see my man of business as soon as he got home. You didn’t think I would let the Mayford family stay in Plumtree Street another minute, did you?” hereplied.
Hattie looked down at the floor, embarrassed to have doubted Will and his ability to see all the needs of a situation. He lifted her hand to his fingers and placed a tender kiss on her fingertips.
“Do you know what Father Brown and I discussed to the early hours of this morning? A soup kitchen is what is needed at St. John’schurch.”
Hattie frowned. At least she now knew why Father Brown had been so tired and grumpy all day, but Will’s plan was nothingnew.
“Father Brown and I already hand out soup to the poor,” shereplied.
“I mean a real soup kitchen, funded by us and our friends. One that is stocked with fresh vegetables, barley and some meat. With an oven for baking fresh bread. A soup kitchen that runs every day. Something that will feed dozens of the needy of St. Giles. I remember what you said about your father and that his mission was all about numbers. With a proper kitchen which you could manage from St. John’s your work will continue and it cangrow.”
Her heart flipped. Will had been earnest in his endeavors to find a solution to their impasse. He had spoken to Father Brown and found the one area where they could make the biggest difference in people’slives.
She would never need to venture back into the rookery. The people she wanted to help could come to her at thechurch.
“And I take it that in return I shall have two burly footmen with me at all times. And I will keep you informed of my daily schedule and send word if I am to return homelate?”
It went without saying that those were Will’s terms, but she needed to give voice tothem.
“Yes. And I think you would agree that a couple of useful lads could be put to work around the church, doing repairs etc. Father Brown is not a young man. They can also help with peeling and choppingvegetables.”
“Thank you for finding a way. If anyone could, it was you. My answer is yes,” shesaid.
She had not dared to dream that her deepest desire to have the best of both worlds could come true. That Will could actually behers.
