Page 79 of My Gentleman Spy
And there it was, the reason for his wrath. He feared for her safety. As she wracked her brain for a suitable response, one which would not further invite his ire, Hattie observed Will. It was intriguing to watch a man such as Will work to control hisemotions.
It was clear he did not enjoy his display of bad temper. She wondered if he felt ashamed of his apparent inability to control that part of himself. He was most certainly a man who liked to be in complete control of any givensituation.
The tapping on the tableceased.
“I am not at all pleased with the notion of you wandering the streets of this city alone, especially when your care is my responsibility,” headded.
His voice was as calm as before, but she caught the hint of anger still simmering just below thesurface.
“What would you have me do? I can't drag either of the Littles from their work about the house,” shereplied.
“I could hire you amaid.”
Hattie's hands met tightly together beneath the table. She cracked the firstknuckle.
“You know that is bad for your fingers,” saidWill.
A rush of heat filled her cheeks. How many times had her mother instructed her not to crack herknuckles?
“I don't know, I haven't observed any particular problem which may be caused by it. I have tried not to, but it is as you have already noted, a nervous habit of mine,” shereplied.
What Will didn't know, to Hattie's secret pleasure, was that cracking her knuckles was also something she did when she washappy.
If she had a maid in tow, there was a good chance she would be recognized. Questions would then be asked. It would not be long before the scandalous truth of the domestic situation at forty-three Newport Street became publicknowledge.
The Bishop of London's widowed nephew living with an unmarried gentle society woman under his roof would be the talk of theton. Worst of all her brother would find out and then there would be the devil to pay. Will would be able to pressure Edgar into accepting his offer to marry Hattie. She would not stand a chance of sayingotherwise.
“I need to be able to continue my work. It is the reason I came back. A maid will make things difficult for me in the rookery. It will make metarget.”
Her reply was slow and measured. She was not foolish enough to try and tempt the protective beast that lived within Will. She had to address her message to the other man that he was, the man who had a secret past. One she knew in her heart included living withdanger.
That man would understand the need for her to move unseen among the streets of St. Giles. A maid would only bring unwelcome attention from the villains who also lived within therookery.
He resumed strumming his fingers on the table. Hattie remainedsilent.
“I am not the least bit comfortable with this situation, but until I can convince you that this is not the life you should be living, I am prepared to go along with it. But, I reserve the right to change that decision if I feel that either your body or your reputation is under threat. Are we agreed?” hesaid.
Hattie nodded. “Agreed.”
She had been prepared to threaten to move to the vicarage at St. John’s. Will however, was not a man who took kindly to threats. She had won this round of the battle, and she knew not to push herluck.
