Friends and Lovers by Joan Smith

handling the situation. I’m all for dealing aboveboard when I can, but there’s no denying not every engagement ends at the altar. If you were seen by the court to be on the verge of a marriage, it might serve as well as the sacrament itself.”
    “Mr. Culligan—you cannot be serious! I would not do such a scaly thing to Mr. Everett. That is an impossibly low stunt, to let on you are going to marry a man, then back out after he has served his purpose. Really, it is enough to make me question your ethics.”
    “I did not mean to imply you keep the gentleman in the dark as to your true intentions, Miss Harris. If he’s close enough he’s offered marriage, then it stands to reason he might be fond enough of you to go along with the trick. There would be some as would look askance at the advice I am giving you, but it is not my job to give you moral lessons, only practical advice as to how you might legally accomplish what you set out to, do you see?”
    “Yes, I see very well, and I don’t like it.”
    “Liking it is not the point. Between you and me and the hatter’s block, I don’t like what you are about, but that is neither here nor there. You are my client, and every client deserves to have his case heard in a court of law, even the worst sort of criminals.”
    “I hope I am not a criminal!”
    “Where would them kiddies be better off, in a castle where they would be treated like lords and ladies, or in a tumbledown cottage, with no prospects before them? You tell me, Miss Harris,” he demanded severely.
    “In a tumbledown cottage,” I answered instantly.
    “Well, then, think it over, what I suggested. Don’t say no till you have talked it over with your gentleman friend. He might look on it as a very good joke on Menrod. He would feel it helpful in winning your hand too. You could lead him on...”
    “Please—say no more about it. This is out of the question.”
    “I think he would do it, Wendy. He is very obliging,” Mama reminded me.
    “What is out of the question today is often acceptable the next day. Meanwhile, I’ll continue with my work here, and inform you if I can get a witness to testify against Menrod’s character.”
    “I have asked you not to broadcast any tasteless questions about Lord Menrod.”
    “I have assured you of my subtlety, ma’am. I know what I am about. I’ll not run afoul of the law again—er... and by the way,” he ran on, blushing at his slip, “there was a trip to London necessary in the course of my investigations. I have itemized it here...” He shoved a long sheet at me.
    “Chancery is in London,” he mentioned.
    This sounded reasonable, more reasonable than putting up at the Clarendon Hotel, one of the most expensive in the city. I took him to task about it, and sliced his bill in half.
    “I am not a flat, Mr. Culligan. I know what a night in London costs. Don’t think to line your pockets at my expense. I would suggest you repair your cuffs, however. It will do me no good to be represented in court by a man in tatters. Good day."
    “I believe we ought to change lawyers, Mama. What do you think? I don’t like the cut of him above half,” I said as soon as we had left.
    “It would be so very dear, having to send another man off to London, when Culligan has already been there. He does have a sly way about him,” she added, but in no condemnatory way.
    “He is a crook, suggesting I use Mr. Everett so poorly.”
    “You would have to marry him if you told them in court you meant to. It would certainly solve all our problems,” she added, with a weary sigh.
    “It wouldn’t solve them; it would only change them.”
    Our visit to Culligan was followed by a couple of fairly dull days. Mr. Everett came to call once. I did not mention Culligan’s idea of rigging up a spurious engagement to him, and by a judicious lowering of my brows every time she tried to broach the matter, I also restrained my mother from doing so.
    We did not go up to the Manor to