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“But we must also take care that our quarry doesn’t notice the hunt,” he added.
“Miss Deeping and the others could ask about Richmond Park at all these parties they’re invited to,” said Tom. “Like they want to know if it’s worth a visit. Maybe find out who’s been there lately. Who’s also in this horse club.”
“They might do that,” the earl agreed. “Carefully.”
“If they have not tired of their ‘investigation’ by this time.” Everything she said was coming out caustic, Teresa thought. What had become of her serenity? It was true she had no great confidence in the young lady detectives. The many amusements of thetonhad probably diverted them already. But she needn’t have said so.
“They won’t have done that,” said Lord Macklin.
Tom indicated agreement.
“So you will allow these young ladies to continue?” she asked the earl.
“However would I stop them?”
“By speaking to their parents, I suppose. Wouldn’t they forbid it?” English families were not so different from the one she’d grown up in; Teresa had seen this for herself.
“That’d be low,” said Tom.
He was frowning at Teresa for the first time that she could remember. “I didn’t mean heshould,” she added.
“I don’t see why I should interfere,” said Lord Macklin. “Miss Julia Grandison may do that. But what happens then will be up to the young ladies.”
“They’ve gotten ’round her before,” said Tom. He and the earl exchanged a smile.
They seemed to share a real comradeship. She had seen them together a good deal by this time, and the aristocrat never condescended to the former street urchin. It was puzzling. Teresa looked from one to the other. “You take them so seriously?”
“I do,” replied the earl. “I have observed them in action. It is impressive.”
Tom nodded admiringly. “You should see Miss Deeping with her charts,” he said. “And Miss Moran with her books, Miss Finch ‘organizing.’”
“Miss Ada Grandison is most adept at interrogation.” Macklin’s tone held amusement, but he also seemed to mean it.
“They are young ladies,” said Teresa. She couldn’t quite believe that this aristocratic man respected females’ abilities.
“Older than me,” said Tom. He gestured to emphasize his presence as part of their quest.
The case was completely different, and they knew it, Teresa thought.
“You don’t think young ladies can have such skills?” asked Lord Macklin. “I’m surprised. I would have thought you held the opposite opinion.”
“It is not a case of my opinion,” Teresa answered. “Or even of abilities. They are not given the chance. They are not well educated. They are controlled, patronized, treated as exhibits rather than persons. Loved by their families, yes usually, but not allowed to undertake real actions of their own.”
The earl nodded. “That is often true, I think. I admit I hadn’t realized how true until I met these particular young ladies and found them very different from others I’d encountered. They are quite enterprising in using their intelligence and curiosity.”
“Time will take care of that,” said Teresa. “Society will wear it out of them. Unless their world falls apart, of course, and they become part of the invisible flotsam of disaster.” This remark earned her a sharp look from Lord Macklin. She pressed her lips together. She was exposing too much. And why was she bothering to argue? Did she care so greatly what he thought?
“They mean to keep on,” said Tom. “They told me so.”
“They will acquire husbands who will not allow this.”
“They mean to find husbands who do.”
Teresa shrugged at the lad’s naivete. “Young men make many promises when they are wooing. But once married they expect ‘proper’ behavior. Why else do people say it that way—the knot is tied? That sounds like imprisonment, no?”
“You are harsh to us men,” said the earl. His gaze was even more speculative.
She must stop this, Teresa thought. It was too revealing. But she couldn’t seem to. “Do you claim to know of liberal husbands?”
