Lord Valorous(16)

"Ho, I smell a pretty woman," Leo crowed.

"No, she is simply desperate, as Lord Revel turned her off without references." And beautiful, with the softest lips.

"There are many in just such dire circumstances," Leo added, the smile falling from his lips. "Sometimes I am not proud of those I walk among."

They all nodded, very aware of just what their fellow noblemen were capable of.

"Three times someone has tried to silence her," Jacob said into the quiet, "and Miss March believes the attempts on her life were because of her interference and that Lord Revel is behind them."

"Good God," Marcus said.

"Someone threw her in the Thames." Jacob felt his anger again over whoever was behind the threat to Miss March. "Another time she was pushed under a carriage."

"And she survived?"

"She is most resourceful. Apparently she was raised to look after herself."

"She sounds an interesting woman. Is she able to read and write? Do you trust her, Jacob?"

He nodded, not sure where Nick was going with his questions.

"Have any of you noticed that Perkins is harried at the moment? His wife has been unwell, and he has fallen behind in his work."

"I spoke to him about it when I arrived," Marcus said. "He looked flustered, and I offered my services but he looked horrified, so I left him to it."

"His wife is unwell?" Jacob said.

"She had a fall, but I believe is now recovering," Leo added.

"The reason I was asking after your Miss March, Jacob, is that perhaps she could assist Perkins until she finds work, or he has caught up with his," Nick said.

"We don't know her!" Leo looked outraged. "Surely you can't make such a decision without a prior meeting. Plus, she is a woman. I'm not sure Perkins would be happy with that fact."

"Jacob knows her," Marcus said, "and she is a vicar's daughter, I should imagine she is trustworthy. Plus, she worked for Lady Revel, and surely anyone who can tolerate her for long periods would do well alongside Perkins." 

"I have met her briefly, and do not know her character well." Jacob wasn't sure how he felt about Miss March working here.

"Do you trust her, Valorous?"

He found himself nodding, and wondered how he could trust her on such short acquaintance when he did not trust easily or often.

"Then that is enough for me. Perhaps a vote is in order?"

Leo grunted, but remained silent.

"Wait." Jacob lifted a hand. "Miss March may not wish to come here; after all, she has chosen work in a brothel to put food on her table."

"What!" Marcus look horrified. "Don't, for pity's sake, tell Charlotte. I have only just managed to stop my wife from daily visits to that bloody house, for women who have fallen on hard times, she made me purchase. She needs no more incentive, or indeed women to care for."

"I don't believe she is working there in the usual manner, but as yet I'm not sure what capacity she is employed at the brothel. But I will find out." He could not bring himself to think of Miss March lying beneath a man while he took what he wanted from her. It didn't sit well with Jacob; in fact, it made him want to fly into a rage, which was a peculiar thing, as he didn't do that either.

"You sound very interested in this woman, Jacob, considering you never involve yourself personally in anything that does not concern your family."

"Rubbish, I am constantly involved in your lives."

"In ours, yes, but you keep your distance from everyone else."

Jacob didn't deny it, because Nick's words were the truth. He did keep to himself, and especially now that his sister, Rachel, was married to a man who would love and care for her as she deserved.

"Rachel is to have a baby," he said in an attempt to distract his friends. "Due in five months."

The smiles were real, as they, like Jacob, had seen the woman his sister had been when they had rescued her from the clutches of the man who had abducted her.

She had been snatched from outside Jacob's doorstep by a man who wanted to get his hands on Jacob's money. What had followed had been some of the worst days of his life, but now his sister was happy and safe. He was closing in on the man responsible, and when his identity was confirmed, he would be made to pay.

"Excellent, and you will be a wonderful uncle, Jacob," Nick said.

He would be, Jacob vowed. He would make sure his niece or nephew never doubted his love for them, and that if they needed him, he would be there, unlike his parents, who had cared little for their children.

"So how are we to proceed with this Lady Revel case?" Leo brought them back to the matter at hand. "And for the record I am not sure about a woman who is working in a brothel becoming Perkins' assistant."