“Your own father. He paints a lurid picture of her character. ‘Grasping adventuress’ was the kindest description. He gave me no reason to doubt his claim that she took his money to make a better life for herself, rather than marry you.”
“The Radleys have received no additional funds.” He racked his brain for a reason to account for his father’s claim—and then swore. “A private word indeed. Now I know why my father insisted on a private meeting with her when he arrived.”
“I take it the money might be fact.” Faraday picked up a bit of brass and rubbed a rag across the surface briskly until it shone. “Additional funds would certainly help you in the transition. It takes time to build a reputation.”
“So it does, and a cunning word in the right ears to ruin one.”
“All too true, sadly.” Faraday winced. “In light of these new facts, I’m afraid the company has imposed a new condition on your application. We want to meet her.”
“Meet Julia? Whatever for?”
“Those who throw stones always have something to hide, but so
often there is truth behind the slander.” Faraday tossed the cloth and set the brass aside. “Bring your sister and perhaps that George fellow. Your neighbor, isn’t he? They’ve known Miss Radley the longest and can offer opposing views of her character. Her brother’s presence is not required. Tonight, here at six o’clock after closing hour.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll speak with her brother and see if Radley will accept my sister as chaperone for the meeting.”
Faraday smiled tightly. “My wife, and the other wives, will be present if that’s any comfort to him.”
“It will be lovely to see them again. We will be here promptly, I assure you.” But Valentine’s mind raced. Why would the members’ wives be coming with their husbands? Usually they were not involved in business discussions.
After saying goodbye and stumbling down the stairs in his haste, he ran directly into Teresa. He apologized profusely for not seeing her at first and glanced around for his father or Melanie. There was no one else about though. “What are you doing here alone, cousin?”
“I had to speak with you urgently.” She glanced back at the shop he’d left and worried at her lip. “Father does not know I’ve slipped away.”
Concerned by her expression, he caught her elbow and steered her back toward the hotel. “Is everything all right?”
She leaned into his support as they moved along. “Everything will be fine when this dreadful situation is over.”
He smiled. “By next month, we will be on a steady course again.”
“First the race, and now she has set you and your father at odds. It causes a strain on all of us. You’ve made the right choice.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You are going back to Oxford tomorrow with us.”
Valentine dropped her arm in shock. “I’m not returning to Oxford.”
“But Father said—”
“My father is wrong. And for your information, Julia has nothing to do with my disagreement with him. I have given the future considerable thought. I know what I want and it is a life here.”
Teresa’s eyes widened. “And with Julia, of all women?”
“I wouldn’t have proposed a marriage between us if I didn’t see the advantage.”
“I hardly think going into trade an advantage.” Teresa pressed her hand to her stomach and he noticed a pretty new reticule dangling from her wrist. “I wish you’d consulted with me before things had gone so far. Mother and Father will never welcome her.”
He sighed again. “That was a possibility with anyone not of their choosing. Mother will accept her or she will never see the grandchildren she professes to want so terribly.”
Valentine frowned at Teresa, puzzled that she couldn’t be happy for him. And then he took a second look at her hat, another new purchase he’d not received a bill for. His mouth grew dry. Where had she found the funds for a new hat and reticule? And a new spencer. “I like Julia very much.”
At that, Teresa scowled. “She’s made you like her by flirting with you.”
Valentine burst out laughing and saw they were already at the hotel where his father was staying. He composed himself quickly. “Believe me, Julia has never once flirted with me. Quite the reverse.”
Teresa’s nose wrinkled with distaste. “That’s just desire you feel. You can satisfy that on any street corner. Even return to the Bear Tavern for it. But a wife must be of higher morals than that sort of woman.”