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“The day is approaching when we will take control of the colliery,” Burke said. “Which side of the future will you be on?”
A few of the men cheered as Burke came to sit across from Guy. “I would imagine you have some questions for me.”
Guy watched as the men in the room resumed speaking to each other, paying them little heed beyond the occasional glance. “I do,” he replied. “I am all for change, but I don’t want to do anything illegal.”
Burke leaned forward in his chair. “I’m afraid you already have. Just participating in this meeting is deemed illegal by the Crown.”
“How so?”
“We have formed a trade union to force the colliery’s hand,” Burke explained, “but we are not alone in this.”
“No?”
Burke shook his head. “It is much bigger than that. We have been communicating with other unions, and we are all acting as one.”
Guy frowned. “Isn’t that rather dangerous?”
“Only if we get caught,” Burke replied, “and we have taken precautions to be discreet.”
“In what way?”
“Every one of us here took an oath before we joined the union,” Burke said, “and no one here would dare to break that oath.”
“How do you communicate with the other unions?”
Burke’s eyes grew guarded. “We may have taken you into our confidence, but we do not intend to share the full extent of our plans with you. At least, not yet.”
“I can respect that.”
Burke lowered his voice. “Frankly, the only reason why we invited you this evening is because Miss Locke trusts you. She seems to believe you can help our cause.”
“Our cause?” Guy asked hesitantly. “Is Miss Locke involved with the union?”
Burke pressed his lips, then said, “I spoke out of turn.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Would you care for some coffee before it grows cold?”
“I would,” he replied.
As he watched Burke rise from his chair, Guy ran a hand through his hair. What the blazes was Miss Locke thinking? She should not be associating with a union, no matter the reasons. Her entire reputation was at stake. Furthermore, the last thing he wanted to do was arrest Miss Locke for her involvement.
With her roundspectacles on her face, Daphne sat at the pianoforte and played Beethoven. Her hands glided over the keys as she thought about Mr. Stewart. There was something about him that intrigued her. It could be that he had worked his way up from nothing, or it could be the compassion she saw reflected in his eyes.
His humble background endeared him to her even more. In her circles, it was rare to find a man who would sully his hands with hard work. But Mr. Stewart did not come from her world. He had risen through the ranks, against great odds, to work at the bank.
How did a man she hardly knew evoke emotions she had never felt before?
Her cousin’s voice came from the doorway. “I do hope you don’t wear those spectacles to meet with your suitors,” he said, amusement in his voice.
She stopped playing and snatched the spectacles off her face. “I do not.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I daresay they would frighten them off.”
Daphne slipped the spectacles into the pocket of her gown. “What is it that you want, Cousin?”
“Nothing but the pleasure of your company.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
Phineas stepped further into the room. “I just wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday.”
