The Passionate Friends. Meg Alexander

      “Then you must take extra care. Shall you stay in London for the birth?”

      “I don’t know yet. It can be very hot and noisy in the summer months. Sebastian thinks that we should go down to Hallwood.” She reached out a hand to him. “Dearest Dan, I’ve missed you so. It is so good to have you home again. As for Judith, I knew that you wouldn’t fail me.”

      “Don’t expect too much,” he warned. “My powers of persuasion aren’t as great as yours.”

      He found that he was right. Judith would not be swayed.

      “At least postpone the ceremony,” he urged. “It would give us time to make enquiries.”

      Her voice grew cold. “Are you suggesting that you intend to spy on my betrothed?”

      “Judith, the man appeared from nowhere. I can’t find a soul who knows anything of his background or his antecedents—” He stopped, and looked at her set face. “Forgive me! I, of all people, have no right to say such things. My own background is sneered at by the ton.”

      Judith fired up at that. “I hope you are not suddenly ashamed of it. Your mother and father were good country folk, as Prudence and Sebastian soon discovered.” For the first time she gave him a faint smile. “Your skills must have come from somewhere…”

      “Sadly, they haven’t yet made my fortune but, Judith, we were not discussing my affairs…”

      “Believe me, I prefer that you say no more of mine. Dan, it must be late. Is it not time to pick up Bessie?”

      “Not yet. We still have a few moments. Will you promise me one thing?”

      “If I can.”

      “Don’t cut yourself off from your friends for these next few weeks. Come to Mount Street. The change will do you good. It will be like old times.”

      Her lips began to tremble. “I’m tired,” she said. “I can’t fight my friends as well as Mrs Aveton.”

      “Then they shall say nothing to distress you. I’ll guarantee it. Do you promise?”

      “I’ll try.” With an effort she regained a little of her self-control. “You’ve told me nothing of your own concerns. This voyage has been of some advantage to you?”

      Wisely, Dan accepted the change of subject.

      “I learned much about the operation of a sailing ship, and other vessels too, even to the handling of an outrigger canoe in the South Seas. All are designed to take advantage of certain conditions of wind and weather.”

      “And your own designs? You were always inventing something.”

      “I have a thick sheaf of them. Some I sent back to England for the attention of my Lords of the Admiralty, but I have heard nothing.”

      “Wouldn’t the Earl of Brandon mention your work?” she suggested shyly. “If Lord Wentworth were to ask him…?”

      “I don’t want patronage. My work must stand on its own merit, or not at all.”

      “You’ll get there one day,” she encouraged. “You have plenty of time.”

      “Have I?” His lip curled. “I am twenty-six already.”

      “A very great age indeed,” she twinkled.

      “Pitt was younger when he first became a Member of Parliament…”

      Judith gave him a droll look. “I didn’t know that you had the ambition to become a politician.”

      She’d hoped to cheer him, and was rewarded with a grin.

      “I haven’t, and well you know it.”

      Judith smiled back at him. “That’s a relief! I was beginning to tremble for the future of the country. Oh, there is Bessie! I must leave you now.”

      “Not yet!” he begged. He tried to take her hand but she shook her head. With a sigh he stopped the coachman, and prepared to take up Bessie.

      “We shall walk,” Judith told him hurriedly. “The rain has cleared—”

      “I won’t hear of it. Get in, Bessie!” He rapped on the roof of the carriage to tell the man to drive on. As they entered the street where he had found them, Judith turned to him.

      “Pray set us down here,” she said. “If I am seen in your company there may be trouble.”

      When Dan returned to Mount Street it was to report the failure of his mission.

      “Well, I, for one, will not give up,” Elizabeth cried at once. “Will Judith come to us today?”

      “I doubt it. She fears you will return to the attack.” Dan’s smile robbed his words of all offence.

      “And so I shall.”

      “No, you will not, my darling.” Perry gave his wife an affectionate look. “Subtlety is needed here. You cannot gain your way with confrontation.”

      His words brought a roar of laughter from each member of his family.

      “Subtlety, Perry? Since when are you a master of the art?”

      Perry took Sebastian’s teasing in good part.

      “I can be devious when I choose,” he replied in airy tones. “I may surprise you yet.”

      “You have already done so. I was never more astonished in my life. Tell me, how is this subtle approach to be accomplished?”

      “I haven’t decided yet, but I’ll think of something.”

      “Perry, there is so little time.” Elizabeth’s eyes were anxious. “The days go by so quickly, and Judith’s wedding will be upon us before we know it.”

      Sebastian’s eyes were resting upon his wife’s face, and when he began to speak he chose his words with care.

      “Let us consider this matter sensibly. We have no proof that the Reverend Truscott is other than he claims to be.”

      “We could find out,” Dan said quickly.

      Sebastian held up a hand for silence. “Hear me out. Prudence and Elizabeth both dislike and distrust him. They may be right, but if they are mistaken I must point out to you that Judith’s happiness is at stake. Any interference on our part would be a serious matter.”

      “Sebastian, we have no wish to injure her.” Prudence gave him a pitiful look.

      “Dearest, I know that well enough, but Judith has had an unhappy time since her father died. We must be careful not to make things worse.”

      “They would be much worse if she married that dreadful creature!” Elizabeth was unrepentant.

      “Quiet! The oracle is speaking!” Perry laid a finger against his wife’s lips.

      Sebastian laughed at that. “I’m no oracle, but we must do nothing foolish.”

      “Then what can we do? She may be walking blindfold into a life of misery. I won’t stand by and let that happen.” Dan ran his fingers through his flaming hair. “I’ll abduct her first.”

      “You will do no such thing!” Sebastian’s tone was cutting. “Would you expose her to scandal? Her life would be ruined; she would be cut by society, unable to see her friends and received by none. Let us hear no more of such nonsense.”

      “There’s no need to cut up rough at Dan, old chap. What do you suggest?”

      “There can be no harm in making a few enquiries. I’ll see what I can do.”

      “And I can ask around,” Perry broke in cheerfully. “I ain’t much of a one for church-going, but I could mingle with the Reverend’s congregation and question a few people.”