AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I heard what Mr. Stewart said. It was terribly unfair of him to use you in such a fashion.”
“I know.”
Phineas gave her a look filled with compassion. “I know that you had feelings for Mr. Stewart—”
Daphne spoke over him, having no desire for his pity. “I did, but they vanished the moment he told me the truth.”
“I don’t believe they did,” Phineas said softly, taking a step closer to her. “Those types of feelings have a way of staying with someone for a long time.”
“What would you have me do?” she asked. “Race after him and beg for him to give me another chance?”
“No, he doesn’t deserve that.”
She blinked back the tears that formed in her eyes. “I am such a fool.”
“No,” Phineas asserted. “Stewart is the fool. Not you.”
“All those people will be arrested because of me,” she lamented.
Phineas reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Give Stewart some time,” he said. “He might come to the right decision on his own.”
“Why do you have so much faith in him?”
“Because I believe Stewart to be an honorable man, despite the disdain I feel for him.”
Daphne gave him a weak smile. “Thank you for that. I need to go check on Grandmother before I take a long soak.”
Phineas dropped his arm. “It will all work out.”
“I don’t know how,” she said dejectedly.
“Are you sureyou want to go through with this?” Hawthorne asked.
“I am.”
“You are either incredibly brave, or a fool, and I haven’t been able to determine which one you are yet.”
“Thank you for that.” Guy glanced out the window of the coach as it approached the building on Greenwich Street. In a few moments, he would be meeting with Corbyn, and he had no doubt he would be dismissed for what he was about to do.
“If you are still in agreement, I will see if I can get you a seat in the House of Commons,” Hawthorne said, then put his hand up. “It might not happen right away, mind you, but I am fairly certain that it is possible.”
“Are you in earnest?”
Hawthorne nodded. “The House of Commons would be lucky to have you in their ranks,” he said. “You are passionate about helping the people, and I have no doubt you can accomplish great things, if given the chance.”
“Thank you,” Guy replied. “That means a lot, coming from you.”
The coach jerked to a stop in front of the building, and Guy saw two agents loitering out front. Their appearance might have been casual, but he knew from experience that they were alert and waiting for a fight to be brought to them.
After they exited the coach, Hawthorne glanced over at him. “If Corbyn dismisses you, I will speak to the Bow Street Magistrate about getting your old job back.”
“I would appreciate that.”
As they approached the door, one of the agents opened it and tipped his head. “I wish you luck,” he said. “Corbyn is in a foul mood today.”
“He is?” Guy asked.
“I heard him yelling in his office,” the agent replied.
