Degrees of Hope (32 page)

“So you like the idea?”

“I do,” Martha smiled. “And I believe that I would be happy to back such a venture.”

“Oh, no, we couldn't take any more money from you. Besides, Honoria has her inheritance now so we can use that.”

“Of course you can but in my experience, relationships, even business ones, are always best if they are begun on equal footing. Besides, I have more than enough money for one lifetime.”

“That doesn't make me entitled to it though.”

“Why ever not, you are my sister, after all but even if you aren't entitled, that doesn't stop me from giving you a loan. Did you know that when we started Aldercott & Beaumont together, I had to loan Lucien the start-up costs?”

“Really?”

“Yes. They were asset rich, of course, but cash poor. Unfortunately Lucien's father had refused to sell land so that the railways might come to the town, which was very bad for the local economy. Some local businesses even moved their whole operations to towns with a railway, but those that stayed had to lower wages. With less money around, the farmers couldn't charge as much for their produce and then there were three poor harvests in a row, meaning that even the estate tenants had trouble paying their rent. The Beaumonts were actually surviving on bank loans by the time I came back to Marchwood.”

Mary looked thoughtful.

“I don't need an answer now, just promise that you'll think about it, Mary. You've spent your whole life caring for others, I think it's high time that you built something for yourself.”

“I will, thank you. And please don't say anything to the others. Honoria wants to tell James in person but she's worried about hurting him.”

“My lips are sealed.”

Over the last few days, Honoria and James had spoken a lot about the past (mostly James apologising and Honoria assuring him that he had nothing to apologise for) but they had spoken little of the future.

They were walking through the Beaumont's gardens and were resting on a bench by the fountain when James finally broached the subject.

“Have you given any thought as to what you will do now?”

“Lots,” she admitted, although she sounded slightly hesitant.

“And did you reach any decisions?”

Honoria didn't answer and when James turned to look at her, she wouldn't meet his gaze.

“You fear my reaction,” he said with a sigh.

“Not in the way you are thinking,” she said. “I do not fear your anger, but I do not want to hurt you.”

James turned slightly and took her hands in his, giving her little option but to turn towards him, although she only met his gaze briefly.

“Dearest, you are starting to worry me.”

“That is not my intent. The thing is... well, I think that I would like to return to America.”

James was silent for a few moments as he processed that, trying to make sense of it.

“Have you met someone?” he asked.

“No, not exactly.”

“Not exactly?”

Honoria finally looked into his eyes. “There is Mary, although I hardly think that is what you meant.”

“Mary?” James hadn't conversed with Martha's sister much, except to thank her for going with his sister and keeping her safe.

“Yes, she's a wonderful woman, so full of warmth and caring. She is also very intelligent and has taught me so much already, and encouraged me to read and learn more. She has become very special to me.”

“And she wishes to return to America?”

“She does, but so do I. You see, James, over here I am the wife who deserted Malcolm, and the daughter of a degenerate gambler, and the sister of the next great pastor but over there, I am just me. No one gives me odd looks when I go into town, no one talks about me and whether I was right or wrong to leave Malcolm. They have no expectations of me. In fact, they don't even know me as Honoria, to them I am just Helen Mallard.”

“And what will you do with yourself over there?” James didn't quite know how he felt about this development and since he was floundering for something to say, he asked the first thing that came to him.

“We have an idea for a business and together, I think that we can turn it into a success.”

“But you know nothing of business.” He didn't mean to sound harsh, but he really didn't know how to react to such a statement.

“That is true, but Mary is used to dealing with budgets for the school, and we can live very simply for a while if we have to. Oh please, James, do not be upset with me!”

James finally realised how me must be coming across to her and forced a smile onto his lips. “I'm sorry, Hon, this is just a lot to take in and I'm not sure how I should react.”

“You don't think that I'm making a mistake?” she asked.

“Even if I did think that, it's not my place to try and stop you.”

Honoria and Hope has spoken at length about the events that has transpired since Honoria left, but this was the first time that Honoria had seen for herself how much James had changed.

She extricated her hands from his and stood up, holding one hand out for him to take as they continued their walk. James took the hand and fell into step beside her.

“When will you leave?” James asked, feeling like a child who is about to lose his puppy.

“Once the estate is settled. I had thought that I might give Arundell Hall to you,”

“To me?” He looked shocked.

“Yes,” she smiled. “Although I will make one condition; you must change its name.”

“Wouldn’t you prefer it was razed to the ground?”

“Bad things happened to me there but that doesn't make it a bad place. It's a beautiful building and built to the highest specifications, and I know you can turn it into a warm and welcoming home.”

“You think that I want to remain in Marchwood?” he stated, wondering why that thought didn't seem to bother him.

“Not at all, you are free to rent the house out, which will help to supplement your income but you seem very happy and settled here. In fact, I don't believe that you have ever seemed more content.”

James thought about that for a few moments. She wasn't wrong, he did like it here, he liked teaching, he liked the Beaumonts, and he liked the estate.

Just then the sound of hoof beats caught their ears and they turned to see Hope, Gus and Bart skirting a field around the garden, then jumping over the dividing fence and galloping off across the estate, Hope in the lead. MacDuff slipped under the fence, running flat out to keep up with his mistress.

And of course, he liked Hope. More than liked, in fact but she wasn't interested in him in any other way than a friend. Could he stand that, to be her friend but never anything more?

The look that came over his features wasn't lost on Honoria and she leaned into him and rested her head on his upper arm.

“She is quite special, isn't she?” Honoria mused.

“She is,” James agreed without thinking. He blushed when he realised what he had said.

“I think she likes you,” Honoria encouraged.

“You are mistaken,” he said, trying not to sound downhearted.

“I don't think so.”

“I... I have already asked for her hand, and have been rebuffed.” It might be painful to admit, but no more painful that false hope would be.

“I know.” Honoria smiled.

James turned to her, shocked.

“Did you think I was blind to the events of that day?” Honoria asked, slightly teasing. “I know that you and Hope have not always got on very well, but I also know my friend and her feelings for you have changed.”

“Do you honestly think that she likes me?”

“More than likes,” Honoria agreed. “She told me that when she was bedridden, you were her lifeline, the only person who didn't press her to recover but allowed her to heal at her own pace.”

James didn't reply but considered Honoria's words as they walked. He and Hope had been good friends for a while now, sharing and trusting each other with painful memories. He had just never stopped to think that their changed relationship might result in a different answer to his proposal.

He smiled as hope blossomed within his heart again.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Since Malcolm's solicitor was in London, Honoria joined Hope and Martha when they journeyed to London on business, Honoria asked to go as well. She hoped to save the lawyer the trouble of another visit to Marchwood. She also convinced James and Mary to come along too and since it was quickly becoming a social occasion as well as work, Lucien arranged to visit the London shop at the same time.

Hope had two clients to see, including Mrs Cooper, for whom she had a beautiful pair of gloves to deliver.

She also had a meeting with two Members of Parliament who were family friends. She didn't expect them to agree with her stance that all women should be legally classed as
feme soles
, but she had to start somewhere. Interestingly, she also had a meeting with a Mr Lyons, editor of the London Review. She had no idea what he wanted to discuss, other than an 'exciting opportunity' but she was looking forward to finding out. Plus, she intended to try and bend his ear a little about her cause; having even one member of the press on her side certainly couldn't hurt.

They took a suite of rooms at
Claridge's, Mayfair, arriving at lunchtime on Monday. Hope excused herself to go and see Mrs Cooper and hand deliver the gloves for her wedding gown. As expected, Mrs Cooper wanted a blow by blow, personal account of James' court case, even though she had surely heard everything from her future step-son. Hope had expected as much and she answered the less personal questions and those that were already a matter of public record.

She was also gratified to hear that Edward Klein was run off his feet with prospective clients.

Mrs Cooper also pressed her into attending Almack's weekly ball on the Wednesday. Actually, the family had already decided to attend, since one couldn't design for Society without being part of Society, at least occasionally. Still, Hope knew how to play the game and allowed Mrs Cooper to believe that she had convinced her into attending.

Honoria and Mary had a meeting with Malcolm's solicitor on Tuesday, Mr Sharp. Malcolm's cousins were trying to claim that Honoria had no right to inherit as she had deserted her husband. Mr Sharp explained that despite his best efforts, the cousins seemed determined to see this through; although he also assured her that they had no legal claim. Unfortunately, it would severely delay the probate and settlement of the will. Between them they reached an agreement that Lucian would act as Honoria's legal agent, so that she was free to return to America. It also saved the delay of sending letters back and forth to a foreign country and of course, he could sign contracts on her behalf, that Honoria would otherwise have to return for.

As well as this, Lucien offered to settle an amount on Honoria to help fund her life in America in the interim. The estate would pay him back (without interest) once settled. They were to return on Thursday to sign the necessary papers.

Martha was meeting with three clients whilst in London, and she too allowed extra time for each meeting, knowing that gossip was the social lubricant of high Society. Like her daughter though, Martha knew not to divulge any private information.

All four women also attended a dressmaker on the Wednesday morning. Hope and Martha ordered a selection of dresses, some functional, some for events, whilst Honoria and Mary (who attended only under some duress) ordered mostly functional dresses, although they were talked into a few more expensive gowns for special occasions. All of these garments would be ready in time for their return to America, which was tentatively set for a month's time, if everything went to plan.

That afternoon, Hope waited with some trepidation for Mr Lyons to get to the point of this meeting. Instead, all he seemed to want to do was make small talk, asking about her life, her education and other such things. After thirty minutes of this, Hope was reaching the end of her patience.

“Forgive me, Mr Lyons, but is there a reason that you wanted to speak with me?”

“Indeed,” he smiled, not seeming offended at all. “Well, I was hoping to butter you up a little first but I see that you are too shrewd for that. I want to offer you a job, Lady Beaumont.”

“A- a job?”

“Yes. I want you to write for my paper.”

“But I can't!”

“Why ever not?”

“Because journalism is a profession and as such, women are forbidden from entering it.”

“You would let that stop you?”

“Of course! I want women to have rights, to be safe, to be able to protect themselves and be independent if they wish to need to be, but we achieve that by changing the laws, not breaking them.”

“All right, but I was thinking that rather than being a reporter, you could be a columnist, which is a grey area.”

Hope realised that he only wanted her as another female columnist for the female pages, and then only because of her recent fame.

“Oh please, Mr Lyons, I cannot spent my time writing pages and pages of drivel about how to manage a house, or servants, or fashion trends, or the best way to get red wine out of fabric or-”