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“Because I wanted you to know that I have spoken to my boss. I informed him that the trade union posed no threat to the Crown,” Mr. Stewart said. “As long as they disband, there will be no arrests.”
Daphne lowered her arm to the side. “Is that so?”
“Earlier today, I spoke to Burke and informed him of my deceit,” he explained. “I left out the part about who I truly was, but he has agreed to end the trade union.”
“That was most thoughtful of you.”
“It was the least I could do, considering the circumstances.”
“Did you do that for me?” she asked, maintaining his gaze.
“It would be easy to lie to you and say that I did, but I did not,” he replied. “I did it because it was the right thing to do.”
“Why?”
“I came here to Anmore to do my job, not caring about the coal workers’ plights,” he admitted. “But when I saw those children as they crowded you, my heart softened towards them.”
“It is hard not to love those children.”
“I agree, which is why something has to be done to help them.”
“How do you propose going about that?”
Mr. Stewart took another step closer to her. “Lord Hawthorne is going to acquire me a seat in the House of Commons,” he shared. “We are going to fight together in Parliament to try to change their horrid work conditions.”
“You are?”
“It might take some time for it to happen, but it will be a step in the right direction.”
“It will be.”
He smirked. “My boss is furious at me for my change of heart, but it is a price I am willing to pay to help them.”
“That is most kind of you.”
He stood there for a moment before he said, “I am sorry for deceiving you, Miss Locke. It was wrong of me to do so.”
“I’m beginning to understand why you did.”
“Do you?”
She bobbed her head. “You were caught in an impossible situation.” She took a step closer to him so they were only a few feet apart.
“It is a position I find myself in quite a lot.”
“Is that so?”
“You should know that I intend to continue working as a spy,” he said. “There are radical groups popping up all over England that are a danger to the Crown.”
“I think that is admirable.”
Mr. Stewart furrowed his brows as he fumbled over his next words. “Is there… uh… any part of you that…” His words trailed off.
“Yes?” Daphne prodded.
He took a deep breath. “Is there a small part of you that might hope for a future between us?” he asked.
Her breath hitched at his words, and she knew it was time for her to be honest about her affection for him. “I suppose so.”
