I don’t want it anymore.
“Your oysters?”
Rose blinked hard and saw Mr. Ruffgate’s face tilted quizzically, and she realized she had spoken aloud. Her cheeks heated as she shook her head. “No, I mean, yes, my oysters. I’m unaccustomed to such a… rich flavor.”
He gave her a patronizing smile. “Understandable, they are an acquired taste. In fact—”
“Tell me more about Mr. Linden and his work,” Rose interjected. She was not here to enjoy the food or drink, or this man’s banal company. She could be a woman of substance, of purpose, and her work would start here, now. “He mentioned a bill he is putting before the assembly soon. Could you explain it so I would understand?”
The flutter of her lashes had Ruffgate taking on the slightly dazed expression Rose had observed from men countless times, and she felt a bolt of pleasure at his reaction.I can do this.
“We have an obligation to uphold high moral standards in this city, to protect our children from the damaging effects of obscene materials.” His language was practiced and smooth, and Rose wondered how many of Ruffgate’s opinions were his own and how many were simply parroted.
“Of course.” She flicked out her tongue to catch a drop of champagne caught on the lip of her flute. “Think of the children.”
Ruffgate blinked, and spots of pink appeared on his cheekbones. “Despite Mr. Comstock’s efforts,” he said deliberately, his eyes trained on her lips, “people continue to distribute these lascivious materials and engage in lewd behavior. Stricter punishments and better enforcement are bound to wipe out these immoral acts.”
“But Mr. Ruffgate—”
“Please,” he interrupted as he placed his hand over hers on the table. “Call me Stewart.”
Her skin crawled beneath his palm and her stomach twisted, threatening to reject the innocent sea creature she had consumed. Rose swallowed hard and pressed her lips into a smile. “Of course, Stewart.”
A satisfied smile spread on his lips, and for a moment Rose felt sorry for taking advantage of him. Then the image of Cass flashed into her mind, then Violet.Ben. People who suffered unnecessarily, people whose lives were forever damaged by ignorance and lack of access.
Something had changed her during her brief time in Brooklyn. No, it wasn’t something. Someone. And while she had begrudgingly accepted that Ben wanted nothing to do with her, she could still help him, help Cass and Abby and all the women of Brooklyn.
Rose leaned forward and placed her hand over his, capturing his palm between hers. “Tell me everything.”
Chapter 23
Anotherday,anotherfailureof democracy.
“Don’t beat yourself up,” Garrett said as Ben collapsed into his leather chair with a groan. Rose’s fragrance floated up from the cushions, and heat crept up his neck. Her scent was everywhere, as though she had been in his life for years, permeating every aspect of his existence.
Wig skittered out from under the chair and trotted into the kitchen, casting a look at Ben that made him wonder if even his cat was disappointed in him.
“We still have time, and more people we can talk to,” Garrett continued, rubbing his neck.
Ben blinked, irritated by how easily his mind had strayed from the suffrage society to Rose, her expression when she left the kitchen. His fear had climbed up his spine and wrapped around him until he pushed her away. He protected himself when he should have been protecting her.
He had not seen her in three days, and he was drained, hollow without her, and now his work for the society was suffering. When he should have focused on convincing the assemblymen at city hall to listen to his words, he was thinking about how foolish he had been to not fight for her.
Ben pulled the coin from his pocket and rolled it over his knuckles. Rose wasn’t supposed to bury herself under his skin so easily, like spilled ink slowly spreading over the page, and he worried he would be permanently marked. Having her by his side for one glorious night, their legs tangled and breaths mingled, felt more intimate than anything that happened between their bodies. The three nights since had been torture, the mattress too large and too cold, despite the oppressive late-September heat. Benlikedher, liked himself when he was with her. The notion was so ridiculously simple it seemed foolish, as though his heart could heal simply by beinghappy.
“We still have Rose.” Hearing her name from Garrett’s mouth made him wonder if his friend could read his thoughts.
“What do you mean?”
Garrett shifted in his seat. “She may have been able to convince Linden’s aide to listen to our side, or at least get some information from him.”
Ben shrugged, as though he hadn’t been counting every second since she met the bastard for lunch. “I don’t think she should see him again.”
“I don’t think you get to make that decision for her.” Garrett tilted his head and Ben knew he would dislike whatever the man would say next. “I do wonder why you are so concerned for her.”
Ben pushed himself to standing and shrugged off his coat; the garment felt too tight around his chest. “She stands out, she’s… noticeable.”
“You’re worried she’ll be… noticed?”
