Page 89 of My Gentleman Spy
Chapter Thirty-Six
Despite her protests,Will and Edgar agreed that Hattie’s personal effects were to be moved to number thirty- seven Newport Street that very day. There was a slight tussle over where Brutus would reside, but Edgar insisted that the cat was part of the chattels of the house and therefore covered under the lease. Brutus would be staying at number forty-three.
Hattie stifled a laugh when she saw Will holding his feline nemesis as she walked out the front door of her family home. She knew Will well enough to know he would be mighty peeved at being left with Brutus and her two sets of silk tearingclaws.
Miranda Wright embraced Hattie’s return with gusto and within days of Hattie’s arrival had arranged an entirely new wardrobe of clothes for her sister in law. She would have happily thrown out Hattie’s other plain clothes but Hattie insisted she needed them for her work at St.John’s.
Hattie was left humbled when Miranda accepted her heartfelt apology with goodgrace.
“You are family. Edgar and I never stopped loving you,” saidMiranda.
Hattie kept her side of the agreement with Edgar. She stayed away from Plumtree Street. Little Annie Mayford came by the church every few days and picked up some fresh fruit for Baylee which Hattie had specially setaside.
Hattie quickly slipped into a comfortable routine. In the morning she would make her way to St. John’s to help Father Brown, in the afternoon she would come home and spend time with Miranda and babySebastian.
She had just returned home late one afternoon when Miranda caught her at the frontdoor.
“Quickly my dear, head upstairs and change. That coffee colored gown with the dark blue stripes will be perfect. I have had your maid lay it out on the bed,” saidMiranda.
Hattie frowned. She had been working at the church since just after dawn, and her feet hurt. She had no wish to go out and spend another afternoon shopping withMiranda.
“Mr. William Saunders is here to pay you a visit. Your maid is waiting in your room to fix your hair.Hurry.”
Miranda gave Hattie a gentle push toward thestaircase.
Hattie headed upstairs. Will had given her a few days peace, but she knew he would be impatient to move thingsalong.
When she entered the formal drawing room a short while later Will rose from his seat and greeted her with a formal bow. He was dressed in a dark blue jacket with matching striped trousers. The subtle charcoal grey of his waistcoat was stylishly offset by the pure white linen of his shirt and cravat. Not a hair on his head was out ofplace.
Her heart skipped a beat. Mrs. Little had been wrong in her estimations of Will, he was more than handsome. The very sight of him stirred something deep within. She knew it to belonging.
“Hattie, it is a pleasure to see you again. You looklovely.”
She looked to Miranda who was seated on a nearby chair sporting a social smile. Her sister in law would be thrilled with Will’s visit. Hattie suspected she already had a wedding guest list hidden somewhere in the desk of her private sitting room. The moment Hattie accepted Will’s suit the wedding invitations would beout.
The whole scene was a tad farcical knowing what had already occurred between her and Will, but she had given Edgar her word and knew she had to goalong.
“Mr. Saunders has offered to take you to the pleasure gardens at Vauxhall. Isn’t that wonderful?” saidMiranda.
Hattie took a seat next to Miranda, who took hold of her hand and gave it a gentlepat.
“Oh. Thank you,” repliedHattie.
She wondered how much Miranda had revealed to Will of Hattie’s old life. Will would no doubt have been gently pressing her for clues of how he could gain Hattie’sfavor.
The pleasure gardens had once been her favorite place to visit. The trip across the river by boat to the south bank of London was a summer highlight of her younger years. Miranda would know full well how much a visit to the gardens would mean toHattie.
“Yes, my sisters and brother will make up the rest of the party. They are especially keen to meet you. I think you may remember my sister Eve from your debut,” saidWill.
“You need to get out, socialize with some people of your own age and have some fun” addedMiranda.
A little bubble of excitement started in Hattie’s stomach. She could not remember the last time she had gone out in search of entertainment, let alonefun.
It was later in the year than she was used to attending the gardens, but if she wore warm clothes the journey across the river and to the gardens could be enjoyable. An evening out with Will and his family would be interesting at least. She vaguely remembered Evelyn Saunders, but did not know either of Will’s other twosiblings.
“Thank you. I would love to join you,” shereplied.
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