AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mr. Croke bobbed his head. “Ye are welcome to stay as long as ye want.”
“I appreciate that.”
Mr. Croke sat down next to him. “Have ye finished yer report about the conditions at the colliery?”
“I have not.”
“We all think it is a good thing, what ye are doing,” Mr. Croke shared.
“You do?”
“Aye,” Mr. Croke replied. “It is time that changes were made at the mine. Those poor women and children are suffering, and no one is giving them any heed.”
Before he could reply, Henry ran back into the room. “Your horse is readied,” he announced.
“Thank you,” Guy said, rising.
He exited the coaching inn and mounted his horse, turning towards Miss Locke’s home.
Guy needed to speak to Miss Locke about her role within the union. He truly hoped that Burke had misspoken and she was not involved. He would hate to have to arrest her for being involved with a trade union.
It wasn’t long before he arrived at Miss Locke’s country home, and he saw her walking towards the stables. She was dressed in a dark green riding habit, and her hair was pulled into a tight chignon. She was a remarkably beautiful young woman, and he had no idea why she wasn’t married yet. Any man would be fortunate to have her as a bride.
She glanced over at him and raised her hand in greeting. He dismounted and walked his horse over to her.
“Good morning,” he greeted.
Miss Locke smiled at him. “Good morning, Mr. Stewart,” she said. “What brings you by this morning?”
“I was hoping to speak to you about a delicate matter.”
Her smile disappeared. “Is that so?”
“Burke invited me to a meeting last night at the coffeehouse,” Guy shared, keeping his voice low, “where we discussed the conditions at the mine.”
“That is wonderful,” she said.
“No, it is not,” he replied. “What we did was illegal.”
Miss Locke placed a hand on her hip. “What of the bank?” she asked defiantly. “Are they not doing anything illegal by treating their workers so callously?”
“Unfortunately, the bank is breaking no laws by treating their workers in such a deplorable manner.”
A line between Miss Locke’s brow appeared. “Are you going to report Burke to the constable?” she asked hesitantly.
“I am not,” Guy replied. “I never said I disagreed with what they were doing.”
She let out a sigh. “That is a relief to know.”
He adjusted the reins in his hand. “Are you involved with the trade union?”
“I am not.”
Not fully convinced, Guy pressed, “Because Burke implied that you were.”
“He would be mistaken, then.”
“I am pleased to hear that, because it would damage your reputation if anyone found out,” he said.
