mention she helped save
the life of Lord Arthur. She is, from all reports, one of the best spymasters
the Home Office has ever had.”
“But she’s a woman,” said Dodson.
“Quite,” replied Joseph.
Dodson was blessedly silent for a few moments. But
then he struck on another tack. “What kind of education do you have, Stapleton?”
asked the professor.
“Not any kind of formal one. I was fortunate to
have been taught by a very kind, learned man. Much of my knowledge has been
gleaned from books, as well as on the streets of London.”
“So you can read? That says something about you, I
guess. I had no idea Bow Street Runners had a need for it. From what I
understand, you’re mostly wanted for your brawn, are you not?”
“We occasionally use our brains, as well.”
“Extraordinary. Shall we ride through the woods?”
* * *
Evelyn was seething and could barely contain her
anger. Dodson was being incredibly rude and Joseph quite gracious. Dodson was
a gentleman by birth, the son of a baronet. But Joseph was the true gentleman
by behavior.
The woods were a shortcut back to the house, so
Evelyn was happy to pass through them, though it would necessitate a slower
pace to ensure the horses did not lose their footing. Dodson, who was boorish
in the best of times, was being a complete arse and she could not wait to be
rid of him. From his behavior, it was obvious he considered Joseph
competition. If only Joseph thought along similar lines.
Dodson’s appeal – as limited as it was – lay in the
fact that he was a university professor. He was an educated man and since she
enjoyed discussing subjects beyond fashion and the weather, she had thought he
might be an interesting companion. But to hear a learned man call Amazonian
tribesmen savages reminded her that a formal education said little about
intelligence. At least the kind she valued.
It was an overcast day and the woods further
obscured even the hint of sunlight that was to be found. The crowded path made
it difficult to ride abreast.
“Why don’t you ride on ahead, Stapleton,” suggested
Dodson. “We cannot all fit on the path.”
“I shall fall back behind you,” he said.
Evelyn was disappointed to lose Joseph from her
side, though she felt somehow comforted that he was behind her, no doubt keeping
an eye on Dodson.
“What say we do a little jumping?” asked Dodson.
“It isn’t safe,” said Evelyn.
“Nonsense. There are enough fallen trees to make it
interesting and they’re low enough that I can’t imagine any of our fine horses
stumbling. Oh, I forgot. Stapleton, you probably do not know how to jump.
But I am sure Evelyn has been doing it since birth. I had a gentleman’s
education, so of course I am adept at it as well. Well, you can always catch
up later.”
“I do not think this is a good idea,” said Evelyn.
“Why? Because Stapleton can’t do it?”
Evelyn was at the end of her patience. “I do not
know whether Inspector Stapleton jumps. However, I do know a bad idea when it
is presented. I will not risk my horse to go along with this plan. You should
not, either.”
But instead of being chastened by her lecture,
Dodson only laughed. “I do like a woman with spirit. I plan to do some
jumping whether or not you join me. I shall see you on the other side.”
With that, the arse took his horse over a fallen
tree, then trotted him to the next one.
Evelyn took a deep breath until Joseph drew abreast
of her.
“If you agree to marry that man, I shall personally
commit you to Bedlam.”
“And I would thank you for the service. I must
apologize for his boorishness. I believe he is intimidated. Though I do not
know why he thinks to appear in a better light by imitating an ass.”
“So I take it you will strike him from the list of
possible
the life of Lord Arthur. She is, from all reports, one of the best spymasters
the Home Office has ever had.”
“But she’s a woman,” said Dodson.
“Quite,” replied Joseph.
Dodson was blessedly silent for a few moments. But
then he struck on another tack. “What kind of education do you have, Stapleton?”
asked the professor.
“Not any kind of formal one. I was fortunate to
have been taught by a very kind, learned man. Much of my knowledge has been
gleaned from books, as well as on the streets of London.”
“So you can read? That says something about you, I
guess. I had no idea Bow Street Runners had a need for it. From what I
understand, you’re mostly wanted for your brawn, are you not?”
“We occasionally use our brains, as well.”
“Extraordinary. Shall we ride through the woods?”
* * *
Evelyn was seething and could barely contain her
anger. Dodson was being incredibly rude and Joseph quite gracious. Dodson was
a gentleman by birth, the son of a baronet. But Joseph was the true gentleman
by behavior.
The woods were a shortcut back to the house, so
Evelyn was happy to pass through them, though it would necessitate a slower
pace to ensure the horses did not lose their footing. Dodson, who was boorish
in the best of times, was being a complete arse and she could not wait to be
rid of him. From his behavior, it was obvious he considered Joseph
competition. If only Joseph thought along similar lines.
Dodson’s appeal – as limited as it was – lay in the
fact that he was a university professor. He was an educated man and since she
enjoyed discussing subjects beyond fashion and the weather, she had thought he
might be an interesting companion. But to hear a learned man call Amazonian
tribesmen savages reminded her that a formal education said little about
intelligence. At least the kind she valued.
It was an overcast day and the woods further
obscured even the hint of sunlight that was to be found. The crowded path made
it difficult to ride abreast.
“Why don’t you ride on ahead, Stapleton,” suggested
Dodson. “We cannot all fit on the path.”
“I shall fall back behind you,” he said.
Evelyn was disappointed to lose Joseph from her
side, though she felt somehow comforted that he was behind her, no doubt keeping
an eye on Dodson.
“What say we do a little jumping?” asked Dodson.
“It isn’t safe,” said Evelyn.
“Nonsense. There are enough fallen trees to make it
interesting and they’re low enough that I can’t imagine any of our fine horses
stumbling. Oh, I forgot. Stapleton, you probably do not know how to jump.
But I am sure Evelyn has been doing it since birth. I had a gentleman’s
education, so of course I am adept at it as well. Well, you can always catch
up later.”
“I do not think this is a good idea,” said Evelyn.
“Why? Because Stapleton can’t do it?”
Evelyn was at the end of her patience. “I do not
know whether Inspector Stapleton jumps. However, I do know a bad idea when it
is presented. I will not risk my horse to go along with this plan. You should
not, either.”
But instead of being chastened by her lecture,
Dodson only laughed. “I do like a woman with spirit. I plan to do some
jumping whether or not you join me. I shall see you on the other side.”
With that, the arse took his horse over a fallen
tree, then trotted him to the next one.
Evelyn took a deep breath until Joseph drew abreast
of her.
“If you agree to marry that man, I shall personally
commit you to Bedlam.”
“And I would thank you for the service. I must
apologize for his boorishness. I believe he is intimidated. Though I do not
know why he thinks to appear in a better light by imitating an ass.”
“So I take it you will strike him from the list of
possible
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