Page 102 of The Gentlewoman Companion

James sat across from them. “Take your tea, Louisa. All is not lost.”

She sat up. “But you don’t know what I did.”

“I believe we do, dear,” his mother said. “Though perhaps not the whole story. We would like to hear it from you.”

“I hired a press-gang to take Charles.”

James gasped. Louisa was barely a lump under the blanket, yet this very young gentlewoman knew how to take matters into her own hands. Hire a press-gang? Pawn her jewelry? Pay off a moneylender? “You are astonishing.”

His mother pressed her hand to her chest. “You what? Impressment is a deplorable practice. How could you?”

Naturally, of all the things his mother could take issue with, it was ridding the streets of a scoundrel.

“How indeed?” Louisa turned watery eyes to his mother. “Because of me, my only sibling is even now locked in a cage!”

“What possessed you to do such a thing?” his mother asked.

“Need I explain what a buffoon my brother is? Have you not heard it all? But I thought if I did not get rid of him permanently, he would never stop petitioning me for funds. I cannot be responsible for him as well as myself. But my mother is probably dying a second death now Charles is imprisoned. At my hand! They would not let him go.”

“Nor should they,” James said.

“James!” his mother said. “How unfeeling. They might let him go, if you asked.”

“I won’t,” James said. “From what I’ve heard, Mr. Thorpe is a prime candidate for the navy. I say, well done.” While he could not justify all of Louisa’s actions, the military was a perfect solution for such a depraved young man.

“Why not start from the beginning, love? Tell us what happened,” Lady Halverton said.

Louisa sighed. “I do not want to let these things fester, but I beg a little time to collect my thoughts and courage. Then, I will be ready to tell you all.”

A change of subject was in order. James said, “Tom was found.”

She wiped her face. “Was he? How?”

James told her that Mr. Fielding had appeared with the boy in hand. “He and Susan are asleep in the nursery even now.”

“Let’s go look at them,” his mother said.

They went to the third floor, each with a candle, and tiptoed into the nursery, where three beds made a row. One lay empty. Tom and Susan snuggled in one tiny cot.

Louisa sniffled. “Charles and I—” She broke off in a fresh flood of tears. His mother took Louisa by the arm and led her out.

“You need sleep,” his mother said. “I will send Nellie.”

His mother guided Louisa out of the room. James, left alone, retreated to his study, aware he would not sleep despite worry-wrought exhaustion. His emotions vacillated between relief, anger, and awe. He was curious to hear Louisa’s side of the story one moment and ready to consign the bewitching, puzzling lady to his mother the next.

Hours later, Louisa slipped in. She was still dressed.

“My lord,” she said, her eyes dejected. “I have no right to ask, and you have no obligation. But you did say to come to you should I need anything. And, well, I cannot complete this task myself. I would understand if you⁠—”

“Yes, Louisa?” His heart quickened. He had been waiting for this. Even if she still could not tell him about her past, this was progress.

“Will you help me ensure Charles’s good treatment on the HMS Frolic?”

“Frolic?”

“I know.” Half her mouth curved upward. “If you send word to the captain, he might heed the request of an earl.”

“I could purchase him a commission.” The words spoken without hesitation showed him he was not ready to abandon Louisa.