Protection (15 page)

“Oh,” Lisa murmured, her shoulders sagging along with her hopes.

With the Queen’s warnings about the dangers of being associated with practices that
could be deemed revolutionary, and these newly discovered obstacles, it was difficult
to see how she would ever fulfil her promise to help girls less fortunate than herself.

Chapter 14

Enlightening

Nathaniel made his way through the crowd at Wetherby’s, keeping an eye out for Edgeley.
He would have been surprised to spot him, as the man had a knack for survival. After
he’d cleared the blackmailer’s debt, unsurprised to learn there were a lot more like
it he expected to be made accountable for, Nathaniel met up with Hugh in an anteroom.

“Any news?”

“None that we can use.” Hugh downed his drink before slamming his glass down on a
side table.

“What is it? What have you discovered?”

“That Edgeley’s name is linked to a group with some very unpleasant tastes.”

“And?” Nathaniel shrugged. It was hardly unexpected as the man’s capacity for debauchery
had never been in doubt.

“We’re talking girls.” Hugh’s mouth twisted with distaste. “
Young
girls.”

Nathaniel sat forward in his seat. “Young enough to be illegal?”

Hugh nodded. “Though how one ascertains proof or acquires a conviction is beyond me.
These things are generally swept under the carpet, the gentlemanly
offender advised to be more discreet in future.”

“Bloody hell.” Nathaniel swept a hand through his hair.

“What about you?” Hugh asked. “Have you made any progress on Lady Anneliese’s behalf?”

After securing her assurance she wouldn’t attempt to pursue the matter alone, Nathaniel
had agreed to look into alternatives to visiting one of the Homes for Penitent Prostitutes.

“I won’t drop this, Nathaniel. I can’t,”
she’d told him when they’d managed to find a few minutes to converse in private.
“If worse comes to worst, I’ll support the existing charities, but I consider that
a very poor compromise.”

Nathaniel hadn’t disagreed, but now he was in a quandary.

“I think I’ve found a place more in keeping with Lisa’s intentions.”

“That’s good?” Hugh made a question of his statement.

“It’s dangerous. The charity is small, just the one residence. They maintain absolute
discretion . . . for very good reason. The brothel owners don’t take kindly to the
interference.”

“Who runs it?”

Nathaniel shook his head, still a little disbelieving. “A group of very brave, very
tenacious
tonnish
ladies, mostly widowed, and a couple of supportive husbands. None are highly placed
,
though they were considering approaching Margaret now that she is free of Haversham.
I’ve arranged a meeting with the home’s director.”

“Have you told Anneliese?”

“I will.” Nathaniel released a gusty sigh. He’d considered waiting until he had learned
more and determined the risks, but he was worried she wouldn’t forgive him if he left
her in the dark. She could be accommodating—to her detriment where he was concerned—but
she also possessed a steely resolve. He’d never forget the shock he’d experienced
when she’d informed him she wouldn’t continue as his mistress once he was wed, not
to mention her refusal of his initial proposal. He’d been prepared for her reaction
when he told her she couldn’t visit a penitentiary, but he was in no hurry to trigger
her ire if it wasn’t necessary.

“Are you going to tell her about Edgeley?” Hugh asked.

“Absolutely not.” Nathaniel didn’t want to worry her, and besides, it was a different
matter entirely.

“I can’t thank you enough, Nathaniel,” Lisa said when he told her about the charity
home, explaining she was welcome to visit—with the necessary chaperones, of course.
Her smile made up for the unease he felt over supporting her in this matter. Margaret
was equally pleased to hear of his discovery, though she expressed regret at not having
learned of the discreetly run charity’s existence earlier.

“I refused to send girls to the penitentiaries,” she said, referring to the maids
who’d been abused by her late but unlamented husband. “If it wasn’t for your father
taking them in, I don’t know what I would have done.”

“Ruth wasn’t the only girl you rescued?” Lisa asked.

“There were several over the years.” Margaret’s expression took on a faraway look.
“I did what I could for them, but the risks were high. Haversham beat me more than
once for interfering.”

“How awful,” Lisa whispered.

“Awful, indeed,” Nathaniel agreed, even though it was the way of their world. A husband
was well within his rights to chastise his wife for wrongdoing, but he’d no intention
of ever raising his hand to Lisa in anger, or for any reason.

“Especially since he was the one in the wrong, not you,” Lisa added.

Margaret spread her hands. “I was unable to give my husband an heir, so I bore all
the blame. To be honest, I was grateful he let me live. If I’d had a convenient fall
down a flight of stairs, I doubt anyone would have been surprised.”

“Or held him to account,” Lisa muttered.

“Didn’t he die in a riding accident?” Nathaniel sat forward. “Something about a strap
breaking when he was out hunting?”

“Yes. The strap was cut almost all the way through,” Margaret said. “Fortunately,
I was away visiting my sister at the time or suspicion would have fallen on me. The
list of likely suspects was too long to investigate, or so the magistrate said. The
estate passed to my husband’s brother, a more decent
man, thank God. He would have let me continue living with him and my sister-in-law
indefinitely, but as soon as the period of mourning had passed, Thomas proposed.”

Margaret’s smile transformed her already lovely features, and Nathaniel found himself
wondering if his father and new stepmother had engaged in an affair while she was
still married. He would be the last to judge them if they had, but he couldn’t fathom
how his father had stood by and let the woman he loved be treated in such a manner.

Then again, maybe he hadn’t. Whomever had cut the strap on Haversham’s horse had done
society—and Margaret—a favour.

“Are you sure it is wise to have gentlemen visit the home?” Lisa asked at their meeting
with the director of the charity home.

Her query earned a scowl from Nathaniel. While he appreciated her concern, he refused
to make further concessions. “I’ll stay in the background if necessary, but you are
not
to attend alone.”

“And rightly so, but it won’t be a problem.” Miss Wright, a retired governess with
a stern but capable demeanour, smiled her assurance. “While we are extremely grateful
for the offer of financial support, we need the backing of gentlemen in positions
of power if we are going to see laws passed to protect the rights of young girls.”

“But I wouldn’t want them to feel exploited in any way.”

“You mustn’t worry, Lady Anneliese,” Miss Wright said. “We make sure the more vulnerable
girls feel safe, of course, but our young women must one day return to a world ruled
by men. It is an important aspect of their recovery to learn not all members of the
male gender are abusive, in particular not all gentlemen.”

She glanced apologetically at Nathaniel, who nodded grimly, refusing to be discouraged
from his purpose.

The day of their visit was overcast, matching the mood of the group that assembled
in the foyer of Stanton House. Margaret was accompanying the two young couples who
awaited the carriage to take them to a far less salubrious part of the city than they
normally frequented. They had dressed soberly in deference to their destination, though
Rebecca’s choice of violet floral day gown, purple velvet pelisse, and lace-trimmed
bonnet wasn’t exactly what Lisa’d had in mind when she had made the suggestion.

“I’m wearing my smallest cameo brooch,” Rebecca said in defence of her choice upon
seeing Lisa’s questioning look.

Lisa’s own dress, the sombre navy gown she had worn while on the run from Lord Copeland—only
including it when she’d hurriedly packed for London for sentimental reasons—raised
eyebrows of its own . . . Nathaniel’s.

He stepped close to her side. “Is that the same gown you wore to the markets in Worthey?”

She gave a wary nod. “I realise it’s hardly appropriate attire for a future marchioness,
but I thought I might appear less intimidating to the girls if I was dressed plainly.
I hope you don’t mind?”

“Mind?” His eyes darkened. “I was going to ask if you could wear that dress for me
again after we’re married. You’re not the only one to have had some interesting dreams.”

“You’ve dreamed of me?”

“Repeatedly,” Nathaniel whispered. “One, in particular, features you wearing that
exact gown.”

“A
pleasant
dream?”

“Very.”

Her cheeks flaming at the images his words—and her imagination—inspired, Lisa fanned
her face.
Only twenty-two days until the wedding,
she reminded herself.

Chuckling, Nathaniel assisted her to don her plainest coat, his expression sobering
when Margaret commented on the wisdom of Lisa’s suggestion regarding their attire.

“I imagine some of the girls will find our presence daunting,” she said, having had
heartbreaking experience with the issue in the past.

The nondescript building that housed the charity home was set back from the road and
surrounded by a high brick wall. No signs advertised its purpose, in keeping with
the secrecy that must be maintained to ensure the occupants’ safety. Once past the
gates, they discovered well-tended flower beds and fruit trees, with vegetable and
herb gardens visible to the side and rear. A few young women paused in their labours
and stood watching as Margaret and the two young couples disembarked from the carriage.
Lisa offered a tentative wave, holding tightly to Nathaniel’s arm as they approached
the front door.

After Miss Wright ushered them through to a plainly furnished drawing room, introductions
were made to the members of the charity’s board, all keen to meet their visitors.
The matron of the home, a rotund lady by the name of Mrs Morley, curtsied repeatedly.