Lillian slipped away, swiftly and without her usual grace. Ellie, though grateful her name was beginning to be cleared, did not for a moment believe she had endured her final reckoning with her sister. When her sojourn in Bath was over, she would return to Shropshire. To her family home.
To her vindictive, angry sister.
Chapter Seventeen
Newton was beginning to breathemore easily. A week had passed since Lillian’s rumors had made their debut. A week in which Artemis, her family, Ellie, Newton, and his parents had been hard at work countering the whispers. Artemis had predicted a fortnight would be required to manage their ends. She had overestimated. Ellie was already being warmly received by all of Bath’s hostesses. Newton had, himself, heard her referred to as “a friend of the Hugheses.”
She was well received, well-liked, and welcomed. Newton’s parents had even warmed to her, something he’d not have thought possible a month ago. They would not be overjoyed or even vaguely approving of the idea of a match between himself and Ellie, but he found more and more thathewould not dislike such a match. Not in the least.
How easily he could imagine himself sitting down with her after a day spent studying the law and telling her what he’d learned. He knew enough of her clever mind to be certain they would never struggle for conversation, even on topics unfamiliar to one or both of them. With the large selection of bookstores in London at her disposal, Ellie would enjoy devouring literature and academic texts. And being in London, she would have the company of Artemis and the Huntresses. She would be able to participate in the Season. She would be away from her family and away from her sister.
Life would change so quickly for her and so entirely. He knew he hadn’t any real right to place himself in the future he hoped she dreamed of, but he wanted to believe there was a chance he was part of that already.
They had first met as part of a ruse. From that bit of deception had grown a friendship as real as any he had experienced. And from that friendship had come love. Though it had taken him a while to admit it to himself, he loved her. He could not imagine not having her in his life.
He did not consider himself a coward, but he was struggling to summon courage enough to go to the Lancasters’ home to tell her how he felt, tell her of his wishes and dreams. How often those in new or uncertain relationships were lectured for not simply “telling the other person how you feel” or “just talking more.” It was easy to offer that kind of advice when someone else’s happiness was at risk. Relationships always seemed simple when viewed from the outside.
The door to the book room, where he had been sitting while his thoughts spun in endless circles, opened, and the butler appeared in the doorway. “Your presence has been requested in the drawing room.”
Newton dipped his head in acknowledgment. “I will be there directly.”
He welcomed the distraction. He’d come to no useful conclusions about how to proceed with his newly identified feelings for Ellie. A change of scenery and company other than his own would do him good.
He made his way to the drawing room, unsure who was calling but not particularly worried. The distraction would be welcome no matter who provided it. Inside, conversing with his parents, was a gentleman he recognized immediately due to a striking family resemblance. This was one of Charlie’s brothers. Jason, if he was not mistaken. Jason, the one he had sent a message to in London. The barrister.
“Mr. Jonquil,” Newton said, holding out his hand. “A pleasure to see you.”
Jason had risen and shook Newton’s hand. “And you.”
They were quickly situated. Jason, true to character, spoke without awkwardness or pretense. “I was most intrigued by your letter,” he said to Newton. “I, of course, am quite partial to the law myself and will always encourage any gentleman of sense, determination, and integrity to pursue that occupation if he is able. Your letter showed you have given the matter great thought, which bodes well. Too many gentlemen take up the law simply because they need a profession and don’t care for the dangers of the army or the boredom of the church. I’m always pleased to hear it has been chosen because it is preferred rather than because it is what is left.”
Father and Mother were both watching Newton with curiosity.
“You wrote to Mr. Jonquil of your ambitions?” Father asked.
Newton nodded. “I felt he could provide me with the best understanding of what the pursuit involves and the type of gentlemen I’m likely to interact with, as well as what will be expected of me while I pursue that goal.”
Mother shook her head the tiniest bit, an affectation she employed when baffled by something. “You have spoken of pursuing the law, but I had not realized you were so determined to do so. I suppose I had always assumed it was more of an idle curiosity.”
How could his parents possibly think that? He’d spoken of it for several years, with increasing focus and emphasis over the last six months. Just since being here in Bath, he had discussed the idea with them more and more. Of course, until recently, he had tended to back down from disagreements with his parents. Ellie’s bravery had taught him the value of being firm in his own defense. Artemis’s tutoring had taught him how.
“I assure you it is anything but an idle curiosity,” he said. “I fully intend to pursue this, and I mean to do so in as logical and intelligent a manner as possible. Charlie has always spoken highly of his brother Jason, and no member of his family has ever seemed the least ashamed of having a barrister among them.”
Jason, who had been watching this exchange with the focus and intrigue of a man with a natural inclination toward analysis, reentered the conversation. “Your son did express in his letter your concerns with this profession. I can tell he does not wish to bring any sort of dishonor on your family, nor does he want to cause you pain. His thoughtfulness impressed me. Many gentlemen from remarkable families populate my profession. It is not looked down on. It does not prevent any of us from receiving social invitations or from being part of Society. When my children are of age, they will not be prevented from making their bows. If Newton chooses to pursue this, you will suffer no disgrace. Assuming, of course, he conducts himself in matters of the law with integrity and honesty.”
Mother ruffled up a bit. “Of course he would. Our Newton has an unwavering sense of integrity.”
Jason sat in calm stillness, but Newton had known Charlie too long to not recognize the twinkle in those Jonquil eyes. The brothers were different from each other in many ways, but they were so alike in so many others. Jason had known that casting the tiniest bit of a cloud over the question of Newton’s moral fitness for pursuing this profession would bring his parents to his defense faster than trying to drag them there with arguments in favor of the profession.
Jason turned his attention to Newton. “Do you know which Inn of Court you wish to attach yourself to for your studies?”
Newton kept his expression as neutral as Jason did, participating in the discussion as if it were academic and not fraught with pitfalls. Jason himself, after all, was attached to an Inn of Court professionally as a working barrister. To name any one other than his would be something of an insult. Fortunately for Newton, Jason belong to Lincoln’s Inn, which was the one he most wished to be connected to. “My highest aspirations are for Lincoln’s, of course. But I do not know if I’ll be so fortunate as to find someone who will speak for me when I apply there.”
“I am not my oldest brother,” Jason said. “You needn’t undertake a verbal sparring match to gain my approval or keep my interest. Lincoln’s Inn is a fine place to begin your education. And I would be happy to stand as your champion there.”
Newton maintained his composure, limiting himself to words of gratitude. He could tell by his parents’ expressions that they did not fully understand the enormity of what had just occurred. He had, with a single letter and a single conversation, secured himself the recommendation he needed to begin his studies, something many gentlemen struggled to obtain. It was the first of several steps placing him on the path toward the future he wished for.
Jason continued with as much directness as ever. “The matter of your education will take two or three years, depending on how quickly you take in the information you need and how much time you spend in this pursuit. During those years, you will not be able to undertake any other sort of profession in order to obtain funds to live on. I do not imagine that will be an issue, considering your family’s financial stability. However, I feel it prudent to at least mention that particular difficulty in case there are extenuating circumstance of which I am unaware.”
