“You have money,” Archie said.
“Not really. It isn’t mine. Not properly.”
“I begin to understand,” Simon said.
“I want to do this on my own,” Effie said. “I do have some money that’s mine. I never cashed any of the bank drafts Miss Evans has sent me over the years for my work for the magazine. I mean to do so now. That will get me started. But I needmoremoney. I needinvestments.”
“Are not our gains as ill-gotten as yours, if we are to follow your logic?” Simon asked.
That gave Effie pause. “I . . . suppose they are.”
“You men and your logic,” Olive said dismissively. “I shall invest. I haven’t much, but I have been bleeding Father of pin money rather ruthlessly for years.”
“But you are saving that for—” Effie cut himself off. That was another bit of knowledge that wasn’t his to share.
“I am saving it for a lucrative investment opportunity,” Olive said firmly, “and I know one when I see it.”
“Of course we shall give you whatever you want,” Archie said. “I shall have to speak with Clementine, but I know she won’t object.”
“You can count on me, too,” Simon said, “though I notice you didn’t answer my question about Lords.”
“I don’t want you togiveme money. I want you toinvest. I used that word for a reason. I want you to be part owners, at least initially.” He turned to Olive. “And you, too, if you like.” Returning his attention to Simon, he said, “Yes, of course I’ll vote for your act. I’ll vote however you tell me to.”
“Oh, what a delicious scandal it shall be,” Olive said. “The poet-earl emerging from his Grub Street hovel to carry out his Parliamentary duty.”
“It’s not going to be ahovel, thank you very much.” Effie sniffed but shot Olive a wink.
They were off, then, discussing his plans. Everyone had an opinion, it seemed, which Effie supposed was what you got when you had investors. At least they were better than Mr. Glanvil.
“Are you sure this isn’t about Miss Evans?” Olive said when the conversation died down.
“Only in the sense that she inspired it. She inspired me as a poet. She introduced me to the technical side of magazine production, and printing. And more to the point, she opened my eyes to the dignity and satisfaction to be had in making one’s own way in the world, even in the face of obstacles.”
“So it has everything to do with Miss Evans,” Olive said wryly.
“I suppose you are right. But I’m not doing itforher, if that’s what you mean.” He paused. Perhaps he did need to tell them about his recent break with Julianna, in broad strokes, anyway. “She and I have parted ways.”
It took a moment for the room to absorb that bit of news. He had expected them to object, to launch an interrogation, but they merely stared, agog.
“Must you, though?” Olive finally said. “I can appreciate that you’re not doing it for her, but rather for yourself, but must that mean she has no involvement at all?”
Everyone was waiting in silence for Effie to answer Olive’s question. Drat. He was going to have to tell them more. “Miss Evans and I have differing opinions on what the nature of our relationship ought to be going forward.” He tried to think how to explain it in a way that wouldn’t require him to turn himself inside out, that wouldn’t land him back behind a pane of glass.
“There is a strait between us, you see, and it turns out not to be traversable. And so I have determined that it’s best to . . . stop staring at the water.” He almost laughed. What a heavy-handed metaphor. Would the boys recognize in it the tragic story of Leander and Hero?
Apparently not, for after another discomfiting silence, Simon said, “This plan of yours is truly extraordinary. You realize it is going to mean an abrupt lifestyle change?”
Effie was grateful to Simon for changing the subject. “I do.” He winked. “You lot shall have to subsidize me on future Earls Trips. That’s as far as I’m willing to take your money not in the form of an investment.”
“You aren’t going to be able to live in the style to which you have become accustomed,” Archie said. “What about your love of beautiful clothing?”
“You know what else is beautiful?”
Archie raised his eyebrows, and everyone regarded Effie inquisitively.
“Freedom.”
* * *
