Page 48 of Prescription for Sin

Wordlessly, she turned and walked toward the door.

“Silence for once,” he said without humour.

“I shall await your report,” she said over her shoulder. “It’s unlikely that your foreman would speak to me.”

“He’s not my foreman. He’s Father’s.”

“By extension, he’s yours,” she said, opening the door.

Everett went to her, bending over so he could look her in the eye. “Are you saying I’m to blame for my father’s crimes because we are related?” he hissed.

“Not because he’s your father but because you have just as much to lose or gain from his actions,” she whispered, closing the door.

Everett glared at her with fury. Emma, unaccustomed to being the recipient of his temper, flinched. “I suppose everything we shared meant nothing to you if you’re judging my character based on motivation. Just as a stranger would. I’ve had enough of this conversation,” he said with all the iciness he could muster. “Good night, Miss Brown.”

She held his gaze with steely silence before whirling around and quitting the room. Everett returned to his chair and sat, sipping on brandy and trying to calm his fear. Fear of losing her, fear of confirming his father orchestrated this nightmare. When his mind spiralled into near insanity, he headed to his father’s chamber in the guest quarters.

“I beg your pardon, sir,” his valet muttered when he nearly collided with him at the door. Everett walked on without a response. “Dr Moreland, you have a ball to prepare for, sir!”

Everett sighed at the reminder. The last thing he wanted was to entertain ladies and watch Emma dance with other men. He cursed under his breath before rapping sharply on his father’s door. When Dr Moreland called for him to enter, he found his father already dressed for the ball and reviewing papers at a small writing desk.

“Everett, to what do I owe this pleasure?” His father barely glanced up.

“We need to discuss Miss Brown.” Everett remained standing, his hands clasped behind his back. “And your investment in the London Water Company.”

That got his father’s attention. Dr Moreland set down his papers slowly. “I see you’ve been making inquiries.”

“Was that why you sent me to investigate her? Because of her cholera research?”

His father sighed, removing his spectacles to polish them meticulously. “We weren’t certain what she knew. But reports of her gathering data, making connections… It seemed prudent to have reason to disrupt her work if necessary.”

“Who else is involved? Your business partner, Snowden?”

“Of course. We make all decisions together.”

“How cosy. Couldn’t you gentlemen pick on someone your size?”

His father chuckled. “As you know, she may be small, but she is mighty.”

“And your cowardly way of dealing with one lady is to punish her for saving countless lives?” Everett’s voice held barely contained fury.

“Better that than allow her to potentially cause panic with half-formed theories about water supply.” Dr Moreland replaced his spectacles. “The economy is delicate enough without hysteria about cholera spreading through pipes.”

“You will take no action against her.” Everett’s tone left no room for argument. “I’ve secured her research notes and dealt with her source at the Royal College. She can’t gather more data.”

“Well done, my boy.” His father’s lips curved in a cold smile. “Though I fear removing her papers isn’t enough. She’s clever, your Miss Brown. She’ll find other ways to pursue her investigation unless…” He paused meaningfully.

“Unless what?”

“Unless you give her something better to pursue. For instance,” Dr Moreland leaned forward, his brows furrowing as if an idea just occurred to him, “…marriage.” He met his son’s gaze. “Marry her, Everett. Take her abroad—Edinburgh, perhaps, or even the Continent. I’ll ensure she has permissions to practise medicine legally wherever you settle.”

Everett stared at his father. “You want me to marry her? What happened to the lady Her Majesty recommended? To making a better match?”

Dr Moreland regarded him thoughtfully. “That was before she became a bigger thorn in my side. With her brother-in-law now aware of her activities, he shall involve himself in this matter. The nuptial solves everyone’s problems rather neatly, don’t you think? She gains the legitimacy she craves. Lord Salisbury sees his sister-in-law elevated to a respectable marriage while being burdened with protecting her husband. And you…” His father’s eyes gleamed. “Well, I’m not blind to your feelings for the girl.”

“And what does London Water gain from this arrangement?”

“Distance.” Dr Moreland spread his hands. “Miss Brown safely occupied with a proper medical practice far from London’s water supply issues. Everyone wins.”