gentlemen were blind when it came to the subject of females and romance.
“I don’t understand why this man went to the trouble of writing this note. I need to know more about this so-called gentleman. What is your evaluation of his character, his manners? What if word got out that I sought his assistance?” His eyes grew wide again.
She finally realized his obvious fear that any whiff of scandal would harm his future appointment. “I can assure you, no personal confidences were revealed. Lily has told me very little about your conversation. I merely suggested that Mr. Drexel might help a young couple by clarifying an unfortunate situation he caused. The man is a gentleman, although perhaps not a normal one. His manners can turn dreadfully bearlike, and you’re correct, his conversation can turn a little terse in seconds. Otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised. He is not at all like a scoundrel who would pen a book like the field guide. Behind his bluster is a gentleman who does care about setting the situation to rights for the sake of his reputation, if nothing else. He is an engineer, working on Mr. Marc Brunel’s Thames Tunnel. Personally, I believe his brevity is because he has taken on too much work for himself and shoulders serious responsibilities.”
“The Tunnel!” James smiled, and for the first time in their interview, he seemed to relax. “I know one of the lawyers overseeing the endeavor, and I do so admire Mr. Brunel. He is our greatest engineer, although it would not suit to say that in front of some members of my club, since he is a Frenchman. Still, his tunnel is important, and we all eagerly anticipate news of the latest progress.”
“I’m delighted to hear that. Perhaps now you will take Mr. Drexel as a man of his word and resume your attentions to Lily.”
He glanced at the door, presumably in the direction of his mother. “I’m sorry, Meta. While I do admire Mr. Brunel, I have never heard of this Mr. Drexel. My future is too important to rely upon the word of—now here I must disagree with you—the word of a man who could pen that book, a true rogue.”
“But here is your chance to correct your mistake and prove your independence to your mother.”
“There is another reason you are unaware of. If I did as you ask, there is every chance she would deny me my living. I’d be forced to live like a pauper. No, Meta, I understand you mean well. I just do not see a pathway to happiness that will please everyone. I cannot help but be conflicted.” He hung his head slightly, revealing his thinning hair on top. “I know you must hate me. Indeed, the whole family must hate me. I dare not even imagine what Lily must think of me. Instead, I must believe a girl with her beauty and sweet nature will undoubtedly find a husband worthy of her.”
She tried to lighten his mood. “Together you’d be happy paupers. Besides, a respectable living is a moot point. Lily’s fortune is sufficient for two responsible adults to live on. Therefore, when you wed, you will have a living adequate for any lawyer with higher aspirations.”
He paused. “I’m glad to hear that, but it’s not just the living. This perceived scandal in her past might harm my future ambitions. Chief justices, judges, and Polite Society are not so forgiving as you would imagine.”
“Seems to me a career is a small price to pay to marry the woman you love. Surely if your advancement fails due to some misconception about Lily’s reputation, there are other professions available?” For the first time, she became aware of James’s stubbornness and unsure if he was indeed worthy of her sister. He seemed to value ambition over love. But she knew Lily loved him, loved him enough to be terribly hurt by this whole affair. “What can I do to change your mind?”
He gave her a direct stare, his eyes wide. “I don’t know…”
His intransigence forced her to speak without reserve. “If you resolve to abandon your engagement,
“I don’t understand why this man went to the trouble of writing this note. I need to know more about this so-called gentleman. What is your evaluation of his character, his manners? What if word got out that I sought his assistance?” His eyes grew wide again.
She finally realized his obvious fear that any whiff of scandal would harm his future appointment. “I can assure you, no personal confidences were revealed. Lily has told me very little about your conversation. I merely suggested that Mr. Drexel might help a young couple by clarifying an unfortunate situation he caused. The man is a gentleman, although perhaps not a normal one. His manners can turn dreadfully bearlike, and you’re correct, his conversation can turn a little terse in seconds. Otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised. He is not at all like a scoundrel who would pen a book like the field guide. Behind his bluster is a gentleman who does care about setting the situation to rights for the sake of his reputation, if nothing else. He is an engineer, working on Mr. Marc Brunel’s Thames Tunnel. Personally, I believe his brevity is because he has taken on too much work for himself and shoulders serious responsibilities.”
“The Tunnel!” James smiled, and for the first time in their interview, he seemed to relax. “I know one of the lawyers overseeing the endeavor, and I do so admire Mr. Brunel. He is our greatest engineer, although it would not suit to say that in front of some members of my club, since he is a Frenchman. Still, his tunnel is important, and we all eagerly anticipate news of the latest progress.”
“I’m delighted to hear that. Perhaps now you will take Mr. Drexel as a man of his word and resume your attentions to Lily.”
He glanced at the door, presumably in the direction of his mother. “I’m sorry, Meta. While I do admire Mr. Brunel, I have never heard of this Mr. Drexel. My future is too important to rely upon the word of—now here I must disagree with you—the word of a man who could pen that book, a true rogue.”
“But here is your chance to correct your mistake and prove your independence to your mother.”
“There is another reason you are unaware of. If I did as you ask, there is every chance she would deny me my living. I’d be forced to live like a pauper. No, Meta, I understand you mean well. I just do not see a pathway to happiness that will please everyone. I cannot help but be conflicted.” He hung his head slightly, revealing his thinning hair on top. “I know you must hate me. Indeed, the whole family must hate me. I dare not even imagine what Lily must think of me. Instead, I must believe a girl with her beauty and sweet nature will undoubtedly find a husband worthy of her.”
She tried to lighten his mood. “Together you’d be happy paupers. Besides, a respectable living is a moot point. Lily’s fortune is sufficient for two responsible adults to live on. Therefore, when you wed, you will have a living adequate for any lawyer with higher aspirations.”
He paused. “I’m glad to hear that, but it’s not just the living. This perceived scandal in her past might harm my future ambitions. Chief justices, judges, and Polite Society are not so forgiving as you would imagine.”
“Seems to me a career is a small price to pay to marry the woman you love. Surely if your advancement fails due to some misconception about Lily’s reputation, there are other professions available?” For the first time, she became aware of James’s stubbornness and unsure if he was indeed worthy of her sister. He seemed to value ambition over love. But she knew Lily loved him, loved him enough to be terribly hurt by this whole affair. “What can I do to change your mind?”
He gave her a direct stare, his eyes wide. “I don’t know…”
His intransigence forced her to speak without reserve. “If you resolve to abandon your engagement,
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