‘Not in so many words.’

‘Oh.’ Emma slumped back in her chair.

‘But he was receptive to the prospect of love,’ Lou said. ‘He knows that a good marriage will help his family. He’s well aware of the obligations that his position and title brings.’

‘I’d say that’s great progress,’ Emma said. ‘If he understands that, then he must realise that there are not many – if any – other women in our circle who would afford him the position that I could. Anything else?’

He asked me whether I thought he should marry you, and I didn’t answer. ‘No, nothing.’

‘But he was receptive which is good. Oh, Louisa. You can’t know how happy you’ve made me. Tonight feels like the night. I’m sure something will happen. And if it does, then it’s in no small part thanks to you.’

28

In her bath, neck deep in warm water, Lou finally had the time to stop and think. She pressed her big toe to the tap. It was time to formulate a plan for what to do next.

In putting pen to paper, Elliot had provided tangible evidence of George’s gambling activities and debts, including the lies he had told the loan sharks in Northampton. There had to be a crime in there somewhere – securing money by false pretences, forging documents about a fictitious company. In many ways, it was better than the accusation that George was involved in Riley’s death. That sounded awful, but it was true. If she accused him, it would be her word against his. Whereas Elliot’s statement was real proof, and there was a willing witness to back it up. But now that she had the evidence at her fingertips, what should she do with it? She could present it to Lord Caxton. But what would happen then? Would he throw his son on the mercy of the loan sharks?

Lou took up a sponge, heavy with water, and held it over her head. Squeezing it, she allowed the warm water to run down her face. What if the revelation of George’s debts did Charlotte more harm than good? It was entirely possible that in a bid to see his son settled, Lord Caxton might take a pitchfork and force George and Charlotte up the aisle.

And what of Elizabeth Goodwill? She had burst in on that poor woman, frightening her half to death, and for what? She couldn’t tell Mrs Hart that her old friend missed her; Mrs Hart had been very specific in her instruction that Lou was not to reveal any details about her own time. At least her promise to Elizabeth had been a half promise, unlike her promise to Emma. That had been a full-blown promise to help her marry. Yet, she had lied to Emma about Tom’s feelings.

Tom. In response to his name, a charge ran through Lou’s body.

She balled her hands into fists and brought them crashing down into the water. ‘You shouldn’t have brought me here,’ she said to the marbled walls. ‘I can’t help anyone. I don’t know what to do. I’m going to muck it up.’