Page 54 of A Convenient Fiction

There would be a footman to assist Teddy, and to help Yardley haul the tub up the stairs. A housemaid to relieve Mrs. Crabtree of doing the laundry, dusting, and scrubbing the floors. And to relieve Laura, too, from all those hours spent in the kitchen each week clear-starching their muslins and lace.

Perhaps, if the Hayes family’s finances were restored to some of their former glory, they might even afford a small open carriage, and a pair of horses, to take Teddy out for a daily airing.

“Laura?” Teddy called as her footsteps sounded in the hall. “Aunt Charlotte said a letter came from the solicitor?”

She entered his room smiling, determined to put as positive a light on the situation as possible. “It did. I’ve brought it for you to read.”

He was at his desk, as always, garbed in an ink-stained linen shirt and dark woolen trousers. His black hair stood half on end.

She ran her fingers through it as she came to sit down beside him. “It’s past time I cut this.”

“Don’t fuss.” He took the letter from her and then waved her away.

She watched his face as he read it. His reaction wasn’t very different from Aunt Charlotte’s.

“I don’t know how you can smile,” he said when he’d finished. “For all we know, Weatherwax is about to cut our household allowance in half.”

“I won’t believe that. Solicitors are bound by oaths of confidentiality.”

“Like doctors?” Teddy snorted. “Someone should inform Dr. Taylor. He’s never hesitated to share the business of our family’s health with the entire village.”

“Our family’s health isn’t exactly a secret.”

Teddy gave her back the letter. “You’ll go to London?”

“I will. At the very least, Mr. Finchley can provide us with the name of another solicitor.”

“The 31st is the day before your birthday. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“I’m not likely to forget that,” she replied with a laugh.

Teddy didn’t join in her laughter. “Laura…” He contemplated her for a long moment. “Do you wish you’d married?”

“What a question!”

“Do you?” he pressed.

She looked at him, her smile fading. “What’s brought this on?”

“Mr. Archer—Alex—seems a good sort of fellow. I did wonder—”

“You may cease your wondering. Alex Archer hasn’t a grain of interest in me. Not in that regard.”

“He does. The way he looked at you at dinner… I think he must be half in love with you.”

Laura stared at her brother. The very idea of Alex being in love with her—half or otherwise—was enough to make her heart turn over.

She wondered what Teddy would say if she told him that she’d proposed to the man. Proposed, and been unceremoniously rejected. No doubt her brother would expire from mortification—just as Laura had felt like doing the entire walk home from the pond.

“He most certainly isn’t,” she said. “Of that, I can positively assure you.”

“Why else would he help Aunt Charlotte? Why else would he help me?”

“Because he likes you. And who wouldn’t? You’re the most intelligent, talented person I know. Anyone would be lucky to make your acquaintance.”

Teddy turned red about the collar. “I don’t know about that. But I do like him, Laura. And so does Magpie. He doesn’t allow just anyone to pet him.”

Laura glanced at her brother’s bed. Magpie was in his usual spot, stretched out asleep after a night of hunting. “How well I know it.”