you know how seriously he took his academic pursuits.” Philip’s reputation as a gentleman scholar was unparalleled.
“I will read it, but only because there’s nothing else here for me to do.”
“Precisely why I thought now the perfect time to corrupt you.”
“First ladies drinking port, now this. Is there no end to your debauchery?” He was trying too hard to take a light tone.
“I will do everything in my power to secure your release.” Our eyes met only briefly, both of us all too aware that any power I might have was negligible at best. I squeezed his hand.
The warden coughed. “No touching the prisoner, madam.”
“I WANT TO GO TO VIENNA.” Ivy’s delicate complexion had lost all its glow. She’d hardly flinched when I told her she couldn’t come to Newgate, but her eyes were swollen and red when we returned.
“You must stay here. What if Robert asks to see you?” I was more concerned with what I could not say to her: If I failed to uncover anything in Vienna he might be executed before I returned to England. “And if he does, you can update him on anything I’ve discovered. It’s a pity they won’t let you touch him. Much can be said during a prolonged embrace.”
“Emily!” She looked at Jeremy.
“Let me assure you that I’ve heard far worse, Ivy,” he said. “I’ve been in the middle of far worse.”
“You’re very kind,” Ivy said, blushing.
“Good. I’ve made you smile again. There’s no use giving into melancholy, no matter how desperate the situation. It will all turn out in the end.”
“Thank you, Jeremy.”
“I wired Margaret. She sent a reply back express and is coming in from Oxford as soon as she can, so you won’t be alone. I wantyou both to stay at Berkeley Square while I’m gone.” After I’d sent a wire to Cécile informing her that I hoped to travel with her to Vienna at once, I’d dashed off quick letters to Colin’s brother and sister-in-law as well as my parents, all of whom were expecting to spend Christmas with me at Ashton Hall. Although William and Sophie would accept the change of plans with grace—they were accustomed to Colin’s work causing similar disruptions—my mother would not react well.
“Robert’s parents are already in town. I’m afraid they’ll want me to stay with them.”
“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Margaret will take care of everything,” I said.
“And what about me? You can’t cut me out of the excitement now,” Jeremy said.
“Are you planning to stay in London or return to the country?” I asked.
“Neither,” he said, eyes full of mischief. “I’m coming to Vienna. You, darling, need someone to keep you out of trouble, and I am just the man for the job.”
“I don’t imagine Cécile will object to traveling with you, though she’s sure to remind you at regular intervals that you’re not as handsome as Colin,” I said.
“Looks aren’t everything, my dear girl.”
8 December 1891
Somerville Hall, Oxford
My dear Emily,
I received your wire and am sending my reply express, as what I want to tell you is too long for a wire. First, inform Ivy to expect me in London at once.
Second, you’ll find it impossible to believe, but Mr. Michaels offers whatever assistance he can give. I informed him in no uncertain terms that he would be completely out of his element in this situation.
But I will confess to being pleasantly surprised that he offered. And though now is perhaps not the most appropriate time to mention it, he accepted my smoking at his dinner party with nothing more than a single raised eyebrow.
I am yrs., etc.,
Margaret
Chapter 8
T raveling with Jeremy was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Our mission was a grim one, difficult and daunting. But my friend patently refused to be morose, insisting that I would be in a better position to pursue my work in Vienna if I arrived relaxed. He goaded me, flirted with me, and if I so much as sighed, he read aloud
“I will read it, but only because there’s nothing else here for me to do.”
“Precisely why I thought now the perfect time to corrupt you.”
“First ladies drinking port, now this. Is there no end to your debauchery?” He was trying too hard to take a light tone.
“I will do everything in my power to secure your release.” Our eyes met only briefly, both of us all too aware that any power I might have was negligible at best. I squeezed his hand.
The warden coughed. “No touching the prisoner, madam.”
“I WANT TO GO TO VIENNA.” Ivy’s delicate complexion had lost all its glow. She’d hardly flinched when I told her she couldn’t come to Newgate, but her eyes were swollen and red when we returned.
“You must stay here. What if Robert asks to see you?” I was more concerned with what I could not say to her: If I failed to uncover anything in Vienna he might be executed before I returned to England. “And if he does, you can update him on anything I’ve discovered. It’s a pity they won’t let you touch him. Much can be said during a prolonged embrace.”
“Emily!” She looked at Jeremy.
“Let me assure you that I’ve heard far worse, Ivy,” he said. “I’ve been in the middle of far worse.”
“You’re very kind,” Ivy said, blushing.
“Good. I’ve made you smile again. There’s no use giving into melancholy, no matter how desperate the situation. It will all turn out in the end.”
“Thank you, Jeremy.”
“I wired Margaret. She sent a reply back express and is coming in from Oxford as soon as she can, so you won’t be alone. I wantyou both to stay at Berkeley Square while I’m gone.” After I’d sent a wire to Cécile informing her that I hoped to travel with her to Vienna at once, I’d dashed off quick letters to Colin’s brother and sister-in-law as well as my parents, all of whom were expecting to spend Christmas with me at Ashton Hall. Although William and Sophie would accept the change of plans with grace—they were accustomed to Colin’s work causing similar disruptions—my mother would not react well.
“Robert’s parents are already in town. I’m afraid they’ll want me to stay with them.”
“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Margaret will take care of everything,” I said.
“And what about me? You can’t cut me out of the excitement now,” Jeremy said.
“Are you planning to stay in London or return to the country?” I asked.
“Neither,” he said, eyes full of mischief. “I’m coming to Vienna. You, darling, need someone to keep you out of trouble, and I am just the man for the job.”
“I don’t imagine Cécile will object to traveling with you, though she’s sure to remind you at regular intervals that you’re not as handsome as Colin,” I said.
“Looks aren’t everything, my dear girl.”
8 December 1891
Somerville Hall, Oxford
My dear Emily,
I received your wire and am sending my reply express, as what I want to tell you is too long for a wire. First, inform Ivy to expect me in London at once.
Second, you’ll find it impossible to believe, but Mr. Michaels offers whatever assistance he can give. I informed him in no uncertain terms that he would be completely out of his element in this situation.
But I will confess to being pleasantly surprised that he offered. And though now is perhaps not the most appropriate time to mention it, he accepted my smoking at his dinner party with nothing more than a single raised eyebrow.
I am yrs., etc.,
Margaret
Chapter 8
T raveling with Jeremy was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Our mission was a grim one, difficult and daunting. But my friend patently refused to be morose, insisting that I would be in a better position to pursue my work in Vienna if I arrived relaxed. He goaded me, flirted with me, and if I so much as sighed, he read aloud
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