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“It is as I just said. I am investigating the matter personally, and I will apprise you of the state of affairs as we proceed.” Matthew watched Crawford’s face tighten in displeasure.
“I thought you secured all your warehouses. Do you know who set the fire?”
“We are yet to know that, and yes, we secured them with chains. We have been doing that for years, but this time, the thief broke the chains.” Matthew further explained the situation and his involvement of the law.
“That is very good of you,” Crawford sighed. “When I saw your letter, I had hoped to hear good news.” He sat back in his chair.
“I understand if you wish to terminate our agreement.”
“What manner of gentleman would I be if I did that, Stormwood?” Crawford regarded him with what looked like sincere concern. “Unless this venture truly cannot be saved, I wish to remain involved.”
“Are you certain?” Matthew had been reluctant to suspect Crawford but he had to do that now, not only because of the man’s new appearance, but so Matthew could be certain he had no part to play in the theft. He now understood the looks he had seen in Albert’s eyes moments ago to be suspicion.
“I am,” Crawford affirmed.
“Very well. Please accept my apologies regarding this unfortunate incident.”
“You need not apologize. It happened through no fault of yours,” Crawford reassured him. “If there is nothing more you would like us to discuss, I will take my leave now.”
“I believe we are quite finished here. Thank you.”
Crawford rose and bowed in a manner that Matthew thought was somewhat exaggerated before leaving. Albert joined him shortly afterward, saying, “He came into some money recently.”
“A coincidence that cannot be ignored,” Matthew agreed.
“What do you propose we do?” Albert asked.
“Keep a close watch on him, and see if you can find out what he did in London…everything.”
Albert smiled humorlessly. “I certainly will.” He had ways of finding information all across England that Matthew did not, or rather, never had the patience for.
“Would you read something like that?” Emma asked Diana as they stepped out of a bookstore the day after they had tea, giggling like debutantes because of a book they had seen that made them both blush. Diana’s blush was in part because of her thoughts of Matthew and how he had kissed and touched her.
“Yes, I would,” she whispered, and Emma giggled again. When they had asked the shopkeeper to show them new books, the man had given them a novel with content that awakened their imagination and warmed their cheeks. Of course, they had declined to purchase it so they would not be seen with it.
“I would read it, too,” Emma confessed. Diana felt as if she could tell her anything without the fear of being judged. Such was the bond they were forming.
Emma had called upon her aunt’s house earlier in the afternoon to invite Diana and Florence to go shopping with her but Margaret had claimed that Florence was expecting a caller, and Diana had gone alone with Emma, which was how she preferred it anyway.
“I will ask Albert to purchase it for us,” Emma said.
“He will?” Diana regarded her with some bewilderment.
“Oh, yes! He believes that women should be given more liberties than they are currently afforded.” Emma looped her arm through Diana’s as they walked. “I think you will make a good match,” she finally said what Diana had been suspecting.
Diana stopped walking and turned to face her friend. “Emma, I…” She did not know how to tell her that she could not marry her brother.
Emma tilted her head to one side and watched Diana through slightly narrowed eyes. “Your heart is spoken for.”
She slightly looked away as she answered. “Yes, it is.”
“Why do you look upset then?” Emma asked.
Diana bent the truth a little. “I fear my affections may never be returned.”
“Oh, darling. Please ignore my foolish attempts to match you with my brother.”
“Do not be sorry, dear Emma. You only want your brother to be happy.”
