Eventually, Brown commented, “It seems to me that such a factory will only require a single block.” He arched a brow at Martin. “Do you have any ideas for the rest of the land?”
Again, he looked to Sophy, and she nodded, encouraging him to reveal their most-recent notion. Returning his attention to Brown and Vickers, he said, “Sophy and I have only just started discussing this, so as yet, there’s little flesh on the bones. However, the crux of our thinking is that Blackwell saw and intended to exploit what, in essence, is a vulnerability of our industries, namely, that we require a sizeable workforce that lives within easy reach of our sites. Given the predominance of such industries in Sheffield, that translates to a vulnerability for the town. Therefore, in order to safely grow our businesses, we need to look into where and how and under what circumstances our workers can be housed.”
Brown was nodding. “That was certainly the issue when it came to Blackwell, and I’m the first to admit that, as a group, we haven’t applied much thought to the problem.”
“The looming problem, as you rightly point out.” Vickers frowned. “It’s on our horizon, but not here yet, which explains why we haven’t yet focused on it. But we should.”
“Indeed,” Sophy said. “Before it descends on us and causes unnecessary problems.”
“Which is why,” Martin went on, “Sophy and I intend to look into using some of the land Blackwell amassed to create suitable housing for workers.”
Sophy grinned at Brown and Vickers. “Obviously, forourworkers.” She arched her brows at them. “We could make it a challenge to see who provides the better houses, the better conditions to attract and hold the workers we all need.”
Vickers laughed. “Our family would be up for that, and our Naylor cousins, too.” He met Sophy’s, then Martin’s eyes. “I know you’re right. In the future, we’re going to need more workers, and if Sheffield starts now, we’ll be able to hold our best workers and attract others of the right caliber using the lure of decent housing.”
Brown nodded decisively. “That’s definitely something we all should start thinking about.” He saw the lord mayor, still wearing his chain, caught the man’s eye, and waved him over. “Come and listen to the ideas these two have about workers’ housing. Insightful and definitely something you and the aldermen need to support.”
The lord mayor promptly professed himself to be very ready to support any notion Martin and Sophy cared to put forward. The group expanded as several others joined them, including two ladies who, speaking from the perspective of their charity work, declared the notion of worker housing to be an excellent idea. Eventually, a tentative plan was made to meet the following week at the Town Hall to continue the discussion with the various officials who oversaw such developments.
Higginbotham, at his supercilious best and enjoying himself hugely, appeared to announce that dinner was served.
Under cover of the melee as Lady Bracknell organized her guests, the lord mayor, who was to lead her ladyship in, followed by Sophy on Martin’s arm, smiled at Sophy, then nodded meaningfully to Martin. “You’ve made your mark in this town, sir. You need have no doubt whatsoever about that. And”—the lord mayor’s eyes twinkled as he glanced at Sophy—“I’m very certain that I speak for all the townsfolk in saying how glad we are to learn that you don’t plan on leaving.”
Martin looked at Sophy and felt contentment rise. “Indeed, sir. I intend to remain in Sheffield for the foreseeable future.”
And very likely, for the rest of my life.
Lady Bracknell swept up and claimed the lord mayor’s arm, and the procession set off for the dining room.
Still smiling, Martin caught Sophy’s gaze.
Happier than she could remember being, Sophy squeezed his arm, then faced forward and glided on.
Although there were no guests of honor as such, she and Martin were indubitably the focus of all attention. Aware of that, her grandmother placed them side by side halfway down the long, extended table. Luckily, the senior ladies were clustered closer to either her grandmother at one end or Julia and Edward at the other, allowing Sophy to glibly and shamelessly redirect all queries as to her and Martin’s engagement and their likely wedding date to her older female relatives, on the grounds that, in such matters, they had much more experience on which to draw than she.
Needless to say, speculation was running rife, especially as to how big an occasion their wedding would be. Most there had heard of Martin’s family and, from various perspectives, were keen to view the reality.
Inspector Curtin was seated opposite Sophy, and as the soup was served, he confirmed for her and Martin—and all the others who were eagerly listening—that the rift between the Murchison brothers caused by Vince defying Walter and working for Blackwell behind Walter’s back had, indeed, spelled the end of the Murchison family’s reign as kings of the Sheffield underworld.
“Good riddance, too,” the commissioner put in from farther up the table. “I’ve already dropped a word in the Lord Lieutenant’s ear, and he’s as thrilled and relieved as I am.”
“Apparently,” the inspector went on, “Walter truly is turning respectable, and with Vince now gracing our cells and soon to face the Assizes, the rest of their not-so-merry band are at something of a loss. It seems that none of the thugs have the nous to run the businesses—the dens and so on—and one by one, they’re shutting down.”
The commissioner brandished his spoon at the inspector. “We’ll need to be on our guard against any joker thinking to move in, but regardless”—he half bowed to Sophy and Martin—“the reduction of crime in the city is another excellent outcome of your recent adventures.”
After that, the conversation moved on to other matters.
Under cover of a discussion about making greater use of canal barges to move iron and steel around the town and surrounding areas, Sophy glanced at Martin’s profile, then leaned closer and, her gaze on his face, whispered, “You’ve certainly carved a place for yourself in Sheffield’s heart.”
He looked at her, then even more quietly replied, “The only heart that matters to me is yours.” Under the table, he caught and gently squeezed her hand. “All I want is to fill the position by your side. Anything else is a bonus.”
She smiled softly back. “You have my heart, all of it, not just a part.”
His answering smile was the epitome of devilishly sweet. “That’s only fair. You have all of mine.”
* * *
Sophy was still smiling when, together with Martin, she stood beside her grandmother in the front hall and waved their happy guests away.
