He nodded as he spread some freshly churned butter on a piece of toasted bread. “I should not have gone to confront my mother. I see that more clearly every day. It merely allowed her to begin to cover up her many crimes.”
“Which is something she cannot do, Brant. There are too many crimes. Too many people she has bribed, blackmailed, or merely tempted into joining her in those crimes. We may have only a few witnesses to point the finger at her as part of such crimes, but the numbers are slowly growing and will continue to grow. Then there are all the ones she uses to gain information. In truth, I think most of those who bow down to her commands are coerced in some way. Dobson said he got very little information from any of the gentry caught at Dobbin House. They will not be of any use to her now, of course. They have all fled the city and gone into hiding.” She scowled at the scone she was about to smother with clotted cream. “I would rather they had all been hanged.”
“Dobson said something very similar. He was also pleased that you had settled all of the children rescued from that hell. True, he just grunted and nodded when I told him, but they were definitely grunts and nods of approval.”
Olympia laughed, easily seeing the big, gruff Dobson doing just as Brant described. Although hardened to the plight of poor children to some extent, he had moved quickly once she had told him of the chains holding the children prisoner in Dobbin House. He further revealed his caring by helping her gather information on Lady Mallam. Hobson shared her wish to rid the world of that woman and undoubtedly shared her disappointment that it probably could not be done in a nice, permanent way.
“It but goes so very slowly yet I ease my mind by recalling that we are gaining allies.”
“Exactly. And she is losing them.” She began to slice an apple and set the slices on her plate. “I have to attend a tea at my friend Mrs. Poston’s today,” she announced and calmly ate her food as she waited for the many arguments against her plans.
They began immediately. Her nephews gave up quickly, well acquainted with her stubbornness. The five younger boys gave it an even greater try but soon quit as well, diverted by the need to fill their bellies until they ached. Brant did not voice his displeasure, or even argue with her, but the look in his eyes told her that he badly wanted to.
She thought about how their time as lovers had come to a rude halt with her beating. Even though she had certainly been healed enough to enjoy it, he had been hesitant. Since her company ceased coming around once it was time for dinner, he had had no real reason not to come round. She tried not to fear that he had already grown tired of her, but the fear kept slipping into her heart and mind at odd times and refused to be completely dispersed. A part of her urged her to make it very clear that she was healed and eager, while another feared he would reveal that her injuries were not the reason he no longer slipped into her bed at night.
“When and where?” he asked the moment the door shut behind the younger boys and he was left alone with Olympia and her nephews.
For a brief moment she feared he had caught wind of what she was thinking and had to fight a fierce blush. Then her good sense returned and she knew that was impossible. If he had any sort of gift, he would have told her. He knew a lot about the Wherlockes so he would know that he could be fully honest about such a thing. It took her a moment to recall what they had been talking about before she had become lost in her own thoughts.
“As I said, Mrs. Emily Poston,” she replied. “She holds a little affair each year and I have only missed it once since I turned thirteen as she is both a friend and neighbor in the country.” Olympia could tell by the way he looked at her, by the slight narrowing of his eyes, that he had guessed exactly what year she had missed.
“I know where that is. Not far from here. She and her husband live right at the edge of the best address in the city. I can make certain you reach there safely, and leave in safety as well,” he said, silently cursing the fact that he could not attend, could not stand at her side throughout the event and watch for their enemy.