Page 88 of My Gentleman Spy
Hattie brushed a hand on her brother’s cheek. Edgar had been faced with a terrible dilemma. He had done the right thing in putting the safety of his wife and childfirst.
“I didn’t abandon you Hattie. Even after you said those cruel things to Miranda about her being too concerned with her looks and money, we never gave up on you. We always knew you were not meant for the life of a missionary in the African jungle. I am beyond grateful that you realized it as well before it was too late. That was an incredibly brave thing you did inGibraltar.”
She smiled softly. There would not be too many other young women in London who could lay claim to that feat ofdaring.
“He is a good man, your Mr. Saunders,” saidEdgar.
Hattie blinked, taken aback by the sudden change oftopic.
“He is not my Mr. Saunders,” shereplied.
“Really, I don’t think that is how he sees things. He was deliberately vague about the details of what transpired between the two of you onboard theCanis Major, but I know enough to have agreed to Mr. Saunders’ request to court you. Hattie, you need a husband and knowing the family that Mr. Saunders comes from, you would be hard pressed to do better. There are some realities which you are going to have to face up to and marrying William Saunders is one ofthem.”
She rose from the couch. She had been half expecting this position from Edgar. Will was no fool, he would see Edgar as the means to press his case for theirmarriage.
“What is to happen now?” sheasked.
“Well Mr. Saunders and I have agreed that you shall move into my house. But before that happens, I need you to explain to me what happened to you. Why can’t I hug you as much as I desperately need to, and what happened to yourface?”
“I crossed the boss of one of the criminal gangs in the rookery in Plumtree Street. He gave me a beating which left me with this angry scar and a number of badly bruisedribs.”
The shock and anguish which appeared on Edgar’s face matched that of Will the night Joshua had brought her home. The young women of their social circle led protected lives. Strapping footmen and trusty maids ensured that vagabonds did not get close tothem.
Young unmarried women of thehaute tonwould be hard pressed to point to St. Giles on a map, let alone be willing to set foot in its dangerousstreets.
He was about to open his mouth and Hattie knew a pronouncement about her charitable works would soon be on his lips. She had her own speech well-rehearsed.
“I am prepared to come and live with you and Miranda, but I will not give up mywork.”
Edgar huffed. “You cannot expect me to accept thatcondition.”
“Father Brown needs me to help him at St. John’s. In return for letting me undertake my daily visits to the church and Covent Garden market I will agree to stay out of the rookery. I shall live under your roof until my future can bedetermined.”
Edgar considered her words for amoment.
“And you will rejoin society and allow William Saunders to courtyou?”
Hattie sighed. She had little other option but to accept those terms. They did however fit in with her plans. By joining society and spending time with Will among the rich and powerful of London, she would be able to show Will how ill- suited theywere.
The more Will pushed for her to marry him and give up her work, the harder she would resist. Edgar would not stand idly by and let her be browbeaten into an unhappy marriage. It was therefore only a matter of time before she was able to convince Will that a union between them was a terribleidea.
“We have an accord,” shereplied.
