Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) (9 page)

What hope did she have of convincing him to give up
his life and join her in the country?

What right did she have to even ask? 

“Is there something amiss?” he asked.

Many things, but nothing she could share with him.  “Excuse
me?”

“Well, you seem to be….looking at me.  Is something
the matter?”

Good Lord, she’d been caught staring.
 
“No, forgive me.  I was just woolgathering.”

“Is your book not holding your attention?  I would
think agricultural practices in central England would be a fascinating
subject.”  His marvelous mouth curved into a smile.

“I believe, sir, that you are bamming me.”

“Perhaps a little.”

“What of Lewis and Clark?  Is their journal as
interesting as you thought it would be?”

“Most assuredly so.  Lewis writes
quite…brilliantly….about the…things they saw.”

“What kinds of things?”

He looked oddly bereft of an answer.  “Indian
tribes.  Animals.  America.”

“I see.”  From his hesitancy it appeared he had paid
attention to his book the same amount as she had to hers.  “Do you have a
favorite passage you have read so far?”

“It is all equally good.  But I would like you to read
the most interesting section you have come across so far.”

Drat.  “I believe it is a subject not suitable for
mixed company.”

“Farming?”  He sounded like he was not quite
convinced.

“Animal husbandry.”

That wiped the smirk off his face.

“Would you like some more port, Joseph?”

“No thank you….Evelyn.  Do you spend many evenings
like this?”

“Yes.  Especially in the winter.  How do you spend
your evenings?  I imagine there are any number of entertainments in London.” 
And how she hated to think of him taking advantage of the most salacious ones.

“I get called in to work on cases from time to
time.  I have enough seniority that I do not have to work nights as a rule. 
But, as you might imagine, it is the time of day when crimes are most likely to
occur.  If I am not rousted from bed because of work, I sometimes dine with
friends.  Occasionally, I attend the opera or theater.  But I like to end the
day just like this.  With a book and a glass of port or brandy.  Though when I
read, I do not have the pleasure of having a lovely lady reading beside me.”

“Why not?”  She was becoming altogether too bold for
her own good.

“I am not married,” he said carefully.

“Why do you not have a wife?  Surely it is not for
lack of opportunity.”

“I suppose it is for many of the same reasons you do
not have a husband.  I have not found the woman I want to spend the rest of my
life with.  But in my case, there is another reason.  I would not want to
subject my wife to the world in which I live professionally.  When you see the very
worst of humanity on a day-to-day basis, it takes a toll.  I would not want her
to take on that burden when I returned home.”

“But is that not a wife’s role?  To help her husband
in any way possible?”

“I fear it is too much to ask.”

“And you would wish to continue on with your
career?”

“I fear I am suited for little else.”

And so there it was.  He would never leave Bow
Street.  Never leave London. 

He studied her for a moment, but did not say
anything, though it looked like he would surely like to.  Finally, he rose.  “I
should lock up the house.”

“I am sure Thompson has already done so.”

“Nevertheless, I will not be able to sleep if I do
not see to it myself.”

“Thank you for doing this.  All of it.  I shall
never forget your kindness.”  She pulled on her slippers and rose from the
chair.  In one daring moment, she rose up and kissed Joseph on the cheek.  “If
you need anything, please do not hesitate to let me know.”

She left the library because if she stayed she would
go back for more than a kiss on the cheek.

CHAPTER NINE

Professor Dodson was, in Joseph’s mind, annoyingly
prompt when he called on Evelyn the next day at eleven of the clock.  It did
not help matters that Joseph had slept quite poorly, despite the comfort of the
bed.  Knowing Evelyn was in the next bedchamber had been torment.  He was, therefore,
not in the best of moods when the man showed up for their outing.

The professor was not a tall man, about an inch
shorter than Evelyn, which meant Joseph towered over him.  He was a man in his
late-thirties and was beginning to go soft about the middle and bald on top. 

He arrived on horseback, having made the journey
from the university in good time.  He dismounted and greeted Evelyn with a warm
smile.  “My dear, how good it is to see you.”  Be bowed over her hand,
lingering to a point where he was in danger of getting his ears boxed by
Joseph.

“Mr. Dodson, welcome,” said Evelyn, subtly
extricating her hand.  “Might I present Inspector Joseph Stapleton?”

“An Inspector?  As in Bow Street?” asked Dodson.  “I
do hope nothing is wrong.”

“Not as such,” said Evelyn.  “But he is a friend of
the Duke of Lynwood’s and has come to the country to look into a few matters.”

“Well, we certainly don’t want to keep you,
Stimpleton, when you have tasks to do.”

“Actually, Inspector
Stapleton
will be
accompanying us,” said Evelyn.

“Whyever for?”

“I told him I would show him the countryside.  And
he is his grace’s guest, after all.”

Dodson frowned.  “Is Lynwood in residence?  I had
not heard he would be here.”

“No,” said Evelyn.  “But Inspector Stapleton is
still his guest and he will be accompanying us today.” 

“Are you in trouble, my dear?” asked Dodson.  “Is
there any way I can be of assistance?  As you can see, I have my valise with
me.  I could easily stay here instead of the inn tonight.  I hadn’t planned on
riding back to the university until the morning.  So it would be no
inconvenience to me at all.”

“No,” said Joseph, before Evelyn had the chance to
answer.  “Lady Evelyn won’t need your services.  Perhaps you might want to take
your things to the inn now, to ensure there is room tonight.”

“But, I really do not mind staying here,” protested
Dodson.

“Thank you, sir,” said Evelyn.  “But the inn is a
good one.  I am sure you will be most comfortable.”

“As you wish, Evelyn,” Dodson said, looking anything
but pleased.  “Thompson, check me into the inn and see to my things.”  He
tossed his valise in the butler’s general direction. 

Stapleton caught the look Thompson gave Dodson
behind his back.  It was not a friendly one. 

“Of course, sir,” said Thompson.  He motioned for a
footman.  “Harris, take Professor Dodson’s things to the inn for tonight. 
Professor, should they charge this to your account or will you pay when you
check out?”

“Thompson,” admonished Dodson.  “It is never good
form to speak of financial matters in front of a lady.”

“I understand, sir.  Will you be paying when you
check out or shall we tell them to bill it to your home?”

“The latter,” Dodson ground out.

Thompson nodded to Harris, who went about his task
with the slightest grin on his face.  Joseph made a note to himself to check
into Dodson’s finances, which he assumed from Thompson’s display were not
everything they should be.

“What did you have planned for us today, Mr.
Dodson?” asked Evelyn.

“I thought we might take a sleigh ride through the
countryside as I tell you about my latest treatise on animals of the Amazonian
wilds.”

“A sleigh ride?” asked Evelyn.

Joseph could barely keep from groaning.  Now his
arse would be frozen solid two days in a row.

Evelyn continued.  “Did you bring a sleigh, Mr.
Dodson?”

“Well, no.  I thought you might have one.”

“Unfortunately, I do not.”

“Perhaps you and I could ride horses while I tell
you of the treatise.”

“That would be lovely.  Inspector, I trust you have
stabled Rocinante here?”

“I have, my lady.”

“Excellent.  Thompson, do be so good as to have our
horses brought around.”

“’Our’ horses?” asked Dodson.  “Yours and mine?”

“Yours, mine and Inspector Stapleton’s.”

“Can he not take himself off on his own for a few
hours?”

“No,” said Joseph.  “He cannot.”

So it occurred that not half an hour later the three
of them were riding through snow-covered fields.  Rocinante was taking the
outing much better than Joseph.  But then the horse didn’t have to listen to
bloody Dodson drone on and on about his blasted treatise.

“I tell you that the savages of the Amazon valley
have a veritable cornucopia of medicinal plants at their disposal, but they’re
too ignorant to know it.”

Joseph bit back his retort about calling the tribes
“savages.”  He was Lady Evelyn’s guest and there to vet her marriage
prospects.  He was not there to teach manners.  Although he’d be damned if he
let her marry this horse’s arse.  So instead of what he wanted to say, he asked,
“When did you travel to the Amazon, Professor?”

“Why would I want to do a fool thing like that?  I
have learned from those who have been there.  Learned men, all of them – many
of them my former students.  My treatise is based on their work.”

“How did they know about the medicinal purposes of
the plants?” asked Evelyn.

“I dunno.  I suppose the locals told them.”

“You mean the ‘savages’ who were ‘too ignorant’ to
know what they were?” she asked.

“The details of who told what to whom do not
signify.  What is important is that my treatise will gain me more recognition
from the Royal Zoological Society and possibly a knighthood.  Some fortunate
lady may one day be known as Lady Dodson.”

Joseph hardly thought any Lady Dodson would be
fortunate, title or no.  And she certainly would not be Evelyn, if he had any
say in the matter.

Dodson continued.   “Evelyn, when you mentioned Lynwood
earlier, it reminded me that I owe Arthur Kellington my thanks.  That bit of
business he was involved with concerning all the antiquities resulted in the
arrest of one of the university’s most prominent dons.  And that ended in a
tidy promotion for me.  Have you met Arthur, Stapleton?”

“Yes.  I was also involved in the arrest of the
professor, though Lord Arthur and his wife Lady Vanessa were the ones to
uncover the plot.”

Dodson’s expression soured somewhat.  “I am sure
Arthur deserves most of the credit.  And it was your job, after all, to catch
the villain.  But speaking of Arthur, I was rather surprised to hear he married
that Vanessa creature.  I was ahead of Lynwood at school, so I know the family
a little.  From what I hear, her background is distinctly suspect.  There were
even rumors she was…well, it is not a topic fit for ladies.”

“It is not a topic fit for gentlemen, either,” said
Joseph coldly.  “I have nothing but respect for Lady Vanessa and I know the
Duke of Lynwood was pleased to have her join the family.  Neither he nor I
would take kindly to anyone maligning her name and reputation.”

“I would never malign a lady,” said Dodson.  “At
least a true one.  Perhaps, Evelyn, you and I can continue our ride on our own,
if my words offend Stapleton so much.”

Evelyn smiled civilly, though her eyes had none of
the warmth Joseph was used to seeing.  “I have no fondness for gossip, sir. 
And from what I have heard of Lady Vanessa, I very much look forward to meeting
her.”

“I admire Lady Vanessa very much,” said Joseph. 
“She is extremely brave and extraordinarily clever, not to 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 husbands?”

“Immediately and irrevocably.”

They continued to plod through the woods, allowing
their horses to take their time.

“Do you have an opinion on Viscount Smithton or Mr.
Kensington?” she asked.

He took a moment to answer.  Then another one.  “At
this time, I have nothing to disapprove of.  I do not know enough about either
of them to make an informed decision.  For that matter, I can think of no real
reason why a match with Dodson would be ill-advised other than you deserve a
better man.”

“What kind of man would that be?”

“One who is smart enough to recognize your
intelligence.  One who would allow you to continue to make your own decisions,
while offering you his protection.  One who would not be threatened by who you
are or expect to always be the one to take charge of your lives.  One who would
love and respect you.”  He paused for a moment.  “And one who is, of course, of
your class.”

Of course.  He would say that.  His list would have
been perfect had he not added that last requirement.  “I see.  I do not know
where I shall find such an exemplary husband, but if you do run across him,
please let me know.”