Page 53 of The Lady's Last Mistake
“She’s fine,” Sir called to assure them. “Just a mean mongrel.”
The servant that had been walking the animal gawked at Sir and then strode away. Sir then picked up Cat and brought her closer to the water, to distract her. Cassie didn’t follow this time. Finally, she met Grant’s eyes, and seeming to take a bracing breath, came back toward them. She kept herself a good arm’s length from his side.
“Sir is good with her.” It was one of the first things she’d said since beginning their stroll, but it lacked the brightness of her usual tone.
“He is a natural,” Audrey agreed, looking at Grant one last time before welcoming Cassie with a grin.
“How are Sir’s mother and sisters?” Cassie asked. At thewater’s edge, Sir had crouched and was letting Cat sit on his leg.
“Doing well in Surrey,” Hugh answered. Then sighed. “I hate to say it, but Harlan Givens’s death was the opportunity they all needed.”
Sir’s father had been a brute, abusive, and neglectful, and his whole family had been under his thumb. Hugh had given Sir a refuge, but there wasn’t much he could do for Mrs. Givens and her other daughters. Not until Mr. Givens had been killed a few years ago.
Cassie licked her lips, and with a meaningful glance toward Grant, asked, “There must be something that can be done if a man is known to abuse his wife.”
They’d invited Hugh and Audrey on this stroll for a reason—to ask about Mr. Youngdale. How they would explain their interest in him would be challenging, as would be explaining how Cassie knew Isabel. He and Cassie had not had the chance to confer and agree on an approach.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t much Bow Street can do in those situations,” Hugh replied. “Unless the lady’s family calls him out or takes vengeance into their own hands.”
Audrey’s mouth thinned in distaste. “A woman is the property of her husband, and he can rule her as he sees fit. It is shameful. There should be laws against it.”
“I agree entirely,” Hugh said.
“But what if the lady in question is not married to the abuser?” Cassie asked. “What if she is simply carrying his child?”
The question startled the viscount and viscountess into momentary silence.
“That is rather specific,” Hugh said. “What is this about?”
With a look toward Grant, Cassie nibbled her lower lip. She was stuck on how to explain her interest.
Thinking only to alleviate some of the pressure, Grant said, “I have a patient at my Church Street clinic. She is in this situation.”
Cassie exhaled with some relief. It only lasted until they saw Hugh glowering at them. “How does Cassie know of this woman?” Then, with alarm, “Have you taken her to your clinic?”
“That isn’t the important point,” she quickly said. “This young woman is hiding from a dangerous man, a Mr. Youngdale. He’s the third son of a baronet, and we wondered if you knew anything about him.”
Audrey asked, “Where is she hiding?” at the same time that Hugh asked, “What have you two gotten yourselves into?”
Cassie’s rosy cheeks marked her as flustered, but even with Hugh’s pointed questions, Grant could only think that they looked lovely.
“She is staying at my clinic,” Grant supplied. “Youngdale. Do you know him?”
The viscount shook his head. “The name isn’t familiar. You say they are not married?”
Cassie nodded. “She escaped before he could force her. Her aunt sides with him, so she has no one to protect her.”
Hugh and Audrey exchanged a look, then cast it toward them. Their thoughts were of Renfry no doubt, and the fact that Cassie had shared her deepest secret with Grant. It smarted that his closest friend didn’t trust him not to hurtCassie. Perhaps Grant had been blind to just how dissolute his reputation had grown to be.
“The best thing to do, perhaps the only thing, would be to get her away from him,” Hugh said.
“There is a place I’ve heard of,” Audrey whispered. “Greer mentioned it once. A house of hope, she called it, but apparently one must find a nun in a parish to receive its secret location. It all sounds mystifying, but I could try to find out more.”
Cassie’s eyes rounded and her jaw went slack. Grant’s own went a bit loose as well. Cassie turned her shocked stare toward him, and for the first time since meeting with Madame Archambeau—it felt like years ago—she grinned.
“What is it?” Audrey asked, peering between them.
Cassie wiped the smile away. “That is quite all right, Audrey, you needn’t learn more. She is safe at Grant’s clinic for now.”
