Page 9 of The Scoundrel and the Lady

Iris waved a hand. “I have plenty of time to write my book. I make notes on it periodically, when I have a thought.”

“You could let it be known you’re open to suitors,” Harriet suggested. “Someone would snatch you up immediately if you were open to marriage.”

“With all the new debutantes available, I highly doubt I would garner any interest,” Iris said. But more than that, she didn’t want any interest. She didn’t want to get married. Marriage led to love, which, in the end, only led to heartache.

“Besides, right now, I must keep my focus on my brother. He is only eight and ten, and he needs me. Even if he doesn’t realize that.”

Harriet and Agnes exchanged glances.

“What? You do not approve of my dedication?” Iris asked.

“Yes, we do,” Harriet said.

“It is merely that you have given so much already,” Agnes said. “You cannot make him become a different person. Jasper is…well, Jasper, and he’s always been a bit headstrong. You’ve earned this time, Iris. He is finished with his education—you saw to that. He is only enjoying his newfound freedom in London, and he shall settle down in time.”

“Would that you were right, Agnes.” Iris tried to focus on the cards in her hand, but it seemed the game had likely ended. “Have you read any of the articles? ‘How to be a Gentleman.’” She shook her head. “The advice is terrible. The precise opposite of what a gentleman is and should be. But my brother has taken it all to heart and is doing his best to live out every suggestion. It is a nightmare.” She dropped her head into her hands. “I simply don’t know what else to do.”

“If only you could meet Lord Ashby in a situation similar to those where you so artfully handle the street thieves. Perhaps he needs to be on the dangerous end of your umbrella,” Agnes said.

“Or hatpin,” Harriet added.

Iris chuckled. “I thought the same thing after meeting him last night.” They went back to playing their game.

“I’ve been thinking about what we discussed at last week’s meeting,” Harriet said. “About how we work so hard ridding the streets of violence and sin, and yet it is festering among the very elite of Society. It seems to me that we are in a unique position to do something about that. And it just might solve your problem with Lord Ashby, too, Iris.”

Iris frowned at her friend and dropped her card on the table. Harriet was known for coming up with ideas, one after another, it seemed at times. But perhaps what she needed right now to help rid her brother of his sinful behavior was one of Harriet’s ludicrous notions. “What did you have in mind?”

Harriet eyed the cards in her hand then tossed one onto the table. “There are how many deadly sins?” she asked without glancing at Iris or Agnes.

“Seven,” Agnes said immediately. “Pride, greed, sloth, gluttony, envy, lust, and wrath.” She ticked each one off on her gloved fingers.

“Yes, that’s right, seven. Now then, there are more than seven of us in the Ladies of Virtue,” Harriet said in a whisper. “We could each pick a sin, select a gentleman who clearly personifies each undesirable quality, and assist him into a better way of living.”

Agnes choked on a sip of tea.

Iris rolled her eyes. Harriet had many strange ideas over the years, but this one might be the very oddest of all. “Are you suggesting we confront the cads and rakes in London and show them the error of their ways in hopes of converting them?”

“I am,” Harriet said.

“How am I supposed to do that if I can’t even control my own brother’s behavior?”

Agnes coughed.

“Consider how it is not much different than what you did last month with Mr. Miller,” Harriet said. “You discovered he had been stealing from his employer, and you showed him how what he was doing was wrong.”

In addition to threatening his manhood with the very sharp end of her umbrella, she had also gone the legitimate route. “Yes, and I reminded him that it would be easy enough to turn him in to the magistrate. But we certainly can’t do that to a gentleman because he cheats at cards or imbibes too much liquor.”

“Would that we could,” Harriet said.

“Yes, I’d send the magistrate directly to the offices of the Daily Scandal and have Lord Ashby arrested on the spot.” She giggled at the thought. “Unfortunately, being a poor excuse for a gentleman isn’t precisely illegal.”

“You both make excellent points,” Agnes said, having recovered from her choking fit. “But I think Harriet might be on to something. Of course, we would need to run this by the others, but we could potentially do some good. Often people simply don’t realize how damaging their behavior is. Once we shine the light upon it, we might clean up some of the debauchery.”

Agnes was normally the most levelheaded one of them. Iris stared at her pragmatic friend in disbelief. “Have you taken leave of your senses? When have you ever thought Harriet had a good idea?” She turned and smiled at Harriet. “No offense, dear.”

“None taken,” Harriet said cheerfully.

“As I said, I believe her idea has merit. Not that we can all succeed, but it is worth a conversation, worth an attempt to bring about some good. That is what we are about, is it not?” Agnes asked.

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