Hammond nodded, but seemed angry. Hetty shrugged mentally. It seemed it was going to be a new state of affairs in her life. People being upset with her. She’d get used to it.
“Very well then, Hale. For now.” Hammond stood and came around the table to pull Hetty’s chair back so she could rise as well.
She stood and said, “Let me fetch my hat and gloves and I’ll be ready to go.”
“Don’t forget to call for your maid,” John said.
Hetty wanted to stick out her tongue at him, but made herself behave.
Her father glared at John then said, “I’ve changed my mind. John, you need to act as Hester’s chaperone. It’ll do you good to get out of the house during the daylight hours. It seems all you’ve done recently is stay out at your club playing cards.”
“Me? Act as chaperone? No. I won’t do it.”
“Surely, you can’t mean that, Hale,” Mr. Hammond said.
Hetty was secretly delighted at the turn of events. It seemed her brother had pushed things too far. She hoped her father wasn’t mad at her any longer since she was being the dutiful daughter and John was being the child causing problems.
“Ah, yes, I think this is an ideal solution. My Penelope and I can spend the morning on our own pursuits while the group of you younger people go out and have a nice walk.” Her father turned to his wife. “Perhaps they can even stop at a café. Wouldn’t that be lovely?”
Her mother laughed. “Delightful. That’s a grand idea for a day’s outing. Don’t you agree, Hester?”
Hetty absolutely agreed. These two men deserved to spend a day together and if she had to go along with them, it would be much more amusing this way. After all, John would be mad and snorting the entire time and Hammond would be more likely to behave like a gentleman with another male along. She was under no illusion that Mary would have been any impediment to the man had he wanted to take liberties with her person.
“I think it will be an excellent way to spend the day. How many other girls will be so lucky as to be accompanied by two such men as these?” She couldn’t bring herself to call them handsome or charming because, truth be known, they were neither.
“Well, then, I think it’s time to make haste,” her father said.
When Hetty had her hat and gloves and the men donned their own, the party of three left the house. John grumbled as he followed along behind her and Hammond.
Before they got three blocks, they met Laurence Fortescue coming toward them. Hetty’s heart leapt in her throat at the sight of him and the memory of his coming to her rescue at Vauxhall Gardens. Then her heart fell. He didn’t care for her in the way she cared for him. She may as well be invisible as far as he was concerned.
“Good morning, Miss Hale, Mr. Hale and Mr. Hammond.” Laurence doffed his hat to them.
“Good day to you as well, Fortescue. Would you like to join us? We’re off to make sure my sister has a lovely day. We’ve even been ordered to take her to a café. I’m sure we’d love the additional company.”
“I think Fortescue has a lot more on his daily schedule than we do. He’s busy with lectures. I’d place a wager on it,” Hammond said.
Hetty knew John was trying to place her in a bad position by his invitation and much as she would have loved to spend some time with Laurence, she hoped he would turn down the request.
“Hammond is right. I do have a lot to do, but I could spare a half hour or so on this fine-weather day. I’ll join you for a spell.” Laurence fell in with them and they moved down the road enjoying the sunshine.
Hetty could only imagine what they looked like as they made their way to the park. Her brother slouched along like he wished no one could see him. Hammond pranced like a steed in the paddock ready to race to victory at Epsom Downs and Laurence strolled as if he were a vicar accompanying a group of reluctant parishioners.
She couldn’t fathom the expression on her own face. If it matched how she felt, it had to be amusing. Half ill with the thought of being wedded to Hammond and having him at her side for the rest of her life and half elated with being in Laurence's company, she had to be a sight.
Wanting to ask Laurence when he'd be at the laboratory so she could visit, but not wanting Hammond to overhear and invite himself along, Hetty walked along in silence.
When they arrived at the park, Hammond led them to the pond.
"Would you like to feed the ducks and swans?" Hammond asked.
Seizing the chance to get rid of her unwanted suitor for a moment, she said, "Unless you have bread crumbs in your weskit, I don't see how we can."
Hammond responded exactly as she thought he would. "I'll go purchase some. I trust you'll be fine here for a few moments with your chaperone."
"I'm quite sure I will be. He's very protective of my chastity." Hetty wanted to laugh because truly all John cared about was her not tainting the family name as that would reflect on him.
John sat on the ground and leaned back on his elbows. "Go ahead, Hammond. I'll be here making sure my sister behaves herself."
"I can't imagine Miss Hale ever being less than decorous," Laurence said.
"Then you don't know her at all." John covered his eyes with his hat.
Hammond shrugged. "I'll return so quickly you won't have time to miss me."
Hetty knew she'd never miss the man. Even if he was gone forever.
As soon as Hammond's back was turned, Hetty whispered to Laurence, "When will you be at Father's laboratory? Something decidedly odd happened last night and I need to discuss it with you."
"You can't tell me now?"
She darted a look at the back of her brother's head. "No. I can't risk it."
"How about tomorrow morning at ten?"
"I'd like to meet sooner, but I don't think Mr. Hammond is going to decide to abandon his day out with me."
"Should I be wishing you happiness?"
Hetty couldn't help herself. An unladylike snort escaped. "Pray it never comes to that, sir."
"One couldn't help but think so the way he was walking as if you were his property."
Not being able to tell if Laurence was the least bit sad at the possibility, Hetty stared up at him and shook her head. "It's not a pleasant situation for me, but my parents insisted I accompany him."
"I'm sorry if it upsets you." Laurence adjusted his glasses.
"Thank you." Hetty wanted to further discuss the matter to attempt to learn his true feelings about her being with Henry Hammond, but before she could, the odious man returned. With a loaf of bread.
"Here we are, Miss Hale. Let's feed the little creatures before they starve to death."
There didn't seem to be any danger of that since most of the ducks were as fat as Christmas geese.
"I'm afraid I must excuse myself. Lectures, you know." Laurence bowed. "It was nice to see you and your brother, Miss Hale." He turned to Hammond. "And you as well."
"May I have a private word before you go?" Hammond asked.
"Certainly," Laurence said.
The two men stepped aside, leaving Hetty holding the bread Hammond had thrust into her hands.
John uncovered his eyes, sat up and looked at her. "You needn't think they're going to duel over you. Fortescue has more sense than that even if Hammond doesn't."
"I never thought they would."
"You may as well face your fate, little sister. Even if Fortescue returned your affections, Father would never allow a match and the shy scientist wouldn't do anything to jeopardize his ability to use the laboratory. The man clearly cares more for his experiments than you."
Fearing that her brother was right, with effort, Hetty held back her tears.
"What? Nothing to say? I'm surprised since you usually do." John stood and adjusted his clothes.
Hetty turned her back and stared at the two men having a discussion. She truly hoped it wasn't about her, but was afraid it was. All she wanted to do was return home, throw herself on her bed and cry for hours.
Chapter Thi
rteen
Laurence stood under a tree near the riverbank where he could still see Miss Hale and her brother. He’d accompanied them for a while on their walk with Henry Hammond merely so he could determine what the man was doing with them and how their father might be involved in Hammond’s treasonous acts.
He should have known better as he’d learned nothing and now here he was standing with the man himself being warned off Miss Hale.
“Do you understand what I’m telling you?” Hammond asked.
“I hear what you’re saying, but when I asked the lady herself if I should wish her happiness, she said no.”
“That’s only because I have only started to woo her. I received permission from her father while we were in London. I’ve not made a formal offer yet, but she does know I’ve asked to be allowed to court her.”
“Then I’m correct. There’s no betrothal?”
“It’s merely a matter of time and I’ll thank you to step away from Miss Hale and leave the way clear for me.”
“Wait one moment.” Laurence tilted his head and stared at Hammond. How odd was this conversation? He could scarcely believe it. He and Miss Hale were friendly, yes, but there was surely no need to have this conversation.
“Wait for what?”
“I wonder why you’re telling me this. You’ve now said twice that I need to leave Miss Hale alone. I’ve not done anything inappropriate and I fail to see what you mean by pulling me over here and making this demand.”
“You seem to spend a lot of time with Mr. James Hale and as a result, the young lady could form an attachment to you. In fact, she may already have done so. I’m telling you this because you need to understand I plan to marry her and her father is expecting her to say yes when I ask her. It’s already arranged so if you have any thoughts at all that your own suit would be entertained, you should be aware it won’t.” Hammond’s face reddened as he spoke and trickles of sweat rolled down the side of his cheeks and into his beard.
“I am not your intimate friend, Mr. Hammond and I take deep offense—not only for myself, but for Miss Hale—at this conversation. If you and Mr. Hale think you can order the child to agree to marry you without a fuss, I wish you well of it, but I somehow I think you’re going to be surprised to find she has a mind of her own.”
“She’ll do as her father orders. Be sure of it.” Hammond turned as if to walk away but turned back before taking a step. “You better not interfere.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Absolutely.” Hammond looked Laurence up and down. “We both know who would prevail in any altercation between us so I suggest you return to academia and leave the lady to me.”
Laurence knew exactly who would prevail and it wasn’t the older, larger man in front of him, but this wasn’t the time to prove that. Besides, much as he liked Miss Hale as a friend, was it really any of his business who she married? That thought pulled him up a moment. Yes, it was his business. If only because he wouldn’t want a friend to marry a traitor to the Crown.
“I see that shut you up,” Hammond said.
“Your comments aren’t worth replying to.” Laurence bowed. “I’ll take my leave now. You better get back to the lady before she finds some other, more worthy, beau.”
“I should call you out for that.” If possible, Hammond’s face turned an even darker shade of red. Would he have an apoplexy right here in the park?
“I should call you out for this entire conversation, sir, but I’m going to walk away and blame it on the heat of the day. I suggest you return to your outing with Miss Hale.” Laurence walked away and didn’t look back.
As he made his way back to his chambers, he realized his hands were shaking. He’d never been so angry. Who did Hammond think he was talking to him in that manner?
As he kept his stride, Laurence’s thoughts turned to Miss Hale. How she would be able to bear being wed to that man was a mystery. Knowing what he did about her strong-headedness as well as her father’s temper, he sure wouldn’t want to be in the room when her sire told her she had to marry Hammond.
He couldn’t hold back the laugh at the thought of that scene. That little lady was passionate about the things she believed in and wanted. He’d seen that in her determination to watch and attempt to take part in the experiments in her father’s laboratory. He didn’t envy Hammond if she truly didn’t like him as she’d indicated by the face she made when asked if she was to be wished happy on her upcoming marriage.
The more he thought about her, the more he worried about what was ahead in her life. How would she be able to survive when the man she was betrothed to was arrested for treason? That was a hanging offense. If her own father was also involved as Laurence was beginning to suspect, it would be even worse because there would be no one to protect her once they were gone. She would never survive on her own.
His suspicions about her father’s involvement were growing the more he learned about Hammond. Now that he knew Mr. Hale was interested in his only daughter marrying the man, it seemed to cement his misgivings about Mr. Hale.
Saddened at the turn of events for such a spirited girl, Laurence made haste to return to his chambers in time to send a missive to his superior at the War Office as well as the Wellesley group before his next tutorial was due to start. He needed to let Jones as well as the spy ring know about the possible nuptials of Miss Hale and one of their suspects.
As he put his hand to paper, he realized he was more than sad at the news, he was devastated.
The next morning, Hetty could barely wait to get to the laboratory to see Laurence. The day before had dragged on terribly long in the company of Henry Hammond. So long she thought at least a year had gone by when they finally returned to the house. If that was a taste of how her marriage would be, she thought she might run away before going through with it.
Before going down to breakfast, Hetty sent Mary out of the room to get ready to accompany her to see Laurence. Once she was gone, Hetty stepped over to her wardrobe and squatted down the best she could in her gown.
Running her hand under the small opening at the bottom, she patted the floor until she made contact with a small silk bag. She pulled it out and counted the money stashed inside.
She was going to have to find a way to add more funds as she had a feeling she was going to need them.
Praying for an idea to make Henry Hammond decide against marrying her would be the ideal solution to her dilemma, but in case she failed, she wanted to have enough coin to make her way somewhere safe and to live on for a while until she could find some sort of employment. She had enough education to be a governess if necessary.
Hiding the pouch again, Hetty pulled herself to a standing position with the assistance of the closest chair. When she caught her breath from the exertion, she left the room.
Hurrying past the dining room, Hetty tried to escape with Mary before her father saw her since she wanted to be at the laboratory early.
But she didn’t make it. Her father came out of the front parlor as she was passing. “Time for breakfast, Hester.”
“I’m not really hungry this morning. I thought I would go out for a stroll with Mary and eat an early luncheon.”
“Nonsense. You must break your fast before going out into the world. My mother always said breakfast should never be left uneaten. Come along. Mary can wait out here for you.” He nodded at the maid.
Hetty followed her father to the dining room, chose her food from the buffet and tried to eat as fast as she could, frustration building in her chest. She was sure if Henry Hammond had stopped in and asked her father to allow her to miss breakfast, he would have allowed it immediately.
She ate quickly and got angrier by the moment. The situation she found herself in with the plans her parents made with Hammond was unbearable. It was as if she were losing her freedom and as a result, her own identity.
Her throat closed on the bite of bread in her mouth. It wouldn’t go down and wouldn’t come back up. She
hacked, coughed and grabbed her neck to try to force the food down, but it wouldn’t go.
“That’s why we eat in a ladylike manner, Hester.” Her mother placed her fork on the table. “Do you need some assistance?”
If she could have responded, Hetty would have said of course she needed help. She was sure she was going to die and her mother was worried about whether she would go in a ladylike manner.
The footman came over with a fresh cup of tea and placed it in front of Hetty.
She glanced up at him in gratitude and picked it up. Before she could get it to her mouth, it got hotter than when first poured, if that was even possible since it was still steaming when the footman poured.
The scalding hot liquid seemed to soften the food and finally, throat burning, she was able to swallow.
“I don’t know why you have to eat so fast,” her father said. “What’s outside that has you so eager to get through the meal and out of doors?”
“I think she’s going to your laboratory today,” John said, the first words he’d spoken all morning.
“As it happens, I am.” Hetty hated having to say it as if she were defending her right to go, but she knew John’s comments were meant to call attention to the fact that she was going to see Laurence and not Hammond. Why her brother was suddenly her enemy, she didn’t know. She missed their earlier friendship, but feared those days were gone forever.
“Why so eager? Is Fortescue starting a new experiment today that I might be interested in?” her father asked.
“I don’t think so. It’s just that I haven’t been in a while. Almost since that day he showed us the magnet experiment. I’d like to learn more about that.”
“Take some notes for me. I need to return as well so I can get more material for my paper I’m writing, but I can’t today. If you see anything I might find interesting, write it down.”
“I will.” Hetty didn’t dare correct her father’s statement about the paper he was writing. She knew it was Laurence’s discovery and as such, Laurence should be the one to present it to the scientific community. She remembered the catastrophe of one of her father’s prior scientific papers and how the findings were proven to be unsound. He’d been so humiliated and she was sure he was thinking this would be a chance to prove he wasn’t merely a gentleman who dabbled in science, but a true man of discovery. Being sorry for him didn’t mean she had to like what he was doing though.
Lightning Strikes Twice (The Heart of a Hero Book 4) Page 12
