Page 39 of The Marquess of Secrets

“The dark-haired beauty I saw you talking to? And she agreed to meet you? How bold. Who is she?” Harrison asked.

“Adelia Wollstonecraft, youngest daughter of Viscount Tensbridge.”

“Jesus, Sam. You are aware her grandfather, the Earl of Carnstone, attended the meeting with Shaftsbury regarding our clinic.”

Sam crossed his arms. “And?”

Yes, and what?

The Wollstonecrafts were not a conceited lot. The family was just as passionate about progressive causes as the Hornsbys.

“Meeting any young lady in secret is not very prudent. Scandal and all that societal rot.”

“I am aware,” Sam replied. “We wanted to become better acquainted before we ventured further. I haven’t even kissed her as yet. I will do what is proper soon enough, as in calling on her at her home. Meeting her parents, her older brothers, and sister. What do you know about the viscount? Will he object to a country-raised physician with no name or money to court his daughter?”

Harrison tore off his gloves and tossed them on the makeshift desk. “We’ve had dealings with the Wollstonecrafts, but haven’t interacted much in society, at least not of late. We collaborated on a home for those with special needs; it’s located not far from our estate. They rarely came to London except to Westminster, and only then when they must. Who was she with at the ball? I assume that she was chaperoned.”

“By her great aunt and uncle, Garrett and Abigail Wollstonecraft. They were nearby when we spoke. Her uncle is a beast of a man. Half Scottish, Adelia said. He must be six and a half feet tall and solid as a brick wall. I wouldn’t want to cross him. Anyway, Adelia is heading to Kent tomorrow, to the family estate. Hence the reason we wanted to meet. We’ve agreed to correspond.”

Sam sighed wistfully. “My God, no woman has affected me like this before. The ease with which we converse. The way she makes my heart pound. Never have I felt so alive.”

Yes. Alive.

Exactly how he felt when he was with Lydia.

“Then, by all means, Sam, follow your heart. I doubt the Wollstonecrafts would hold it against you regarding your lack of money. They are rich enough and will no doubt settle a dowry on their daughter. Miss Adelia is aware you’re but a poor doctor?”

Sam chuckled. “I told her; she never batted an eye. Already I like and admire her beyond her outward beauty. Enough about me. Will you be following your own advice? And don’t give me that blather about duty.”

“Perhaps I should inquire if the Wollstonecrafts have any other eligible and unmarried young ladies in the family,” Harrison replied wryly.

“Or perhaps you should follow your heart. I take it Miss Best has not absconded with the silver? No? Good. Learn all you can about her. Do not deny the feelings within, for I cannot picture you in one of those damned aristo-alliance marriages. What a cold and lonely outlook. You deserve more.”

“So I’ve been told. I will heed your advice as best as I’m able.” Harrison stood and affixed the mask and reached for his coat. “In fact, I believe I will head home. You can finish up here?”

“Absolutely. I’m on call at St. Bart’s for the next three days in the casualty ward from two in the afternoon until midnight. I’ll come here first in the mornings. It will leave the afternoons without either one of us if you attend Parliament. I’ve already informed the nuns, and they said they will fill in where possible.”

Sam exhaled. “You are right; it is becoming impossible for us to keep up this crushing and punishing pace. Let us pursue this clinic with all haste. For all our sakes, the nuns included.”

Harrison nodded as he slipped on his coat. He kept the mask on until he was outside. Then he would walk a pace from the terminus before he removed it and hailed a hansom cab.

“I agree. Goodnight, Sam, do not stay too late.”

“I won’t. I’ll send word when I hear from William Robins. Should be any day now.”

Harrison made his escape, and once he stepped on the footpath, he removed the cap and mask. It was dark, and no one was about.

Sam and Adelia Wollstonecraft.

He knew nothing of the young lady. But he knew the family well enough that he would be honored to put in a good word on his friend’s behalf, should he require it.

Life, it seemed, was moving forward for them both.

The clop-clop of horses’ hooves filled his hearing, and when the hansom came into view, he hailed it. On the way home, his thoughts were filled with his discussion with Sam.

He honestly had no idea what to do next on any front, personal or professional.

Once he entered the townhouse, Youngston dutifully met him at the door.