Friends and Lovers by Joan Smith

Author:Joan Smith [Smith, Joan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Regency, Romance
ISBN: 9780709079279
Google: 1D0hOAAACAAJ
Amazon: B01GN85HAU
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 2009-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

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Chapter 12

We had some difficulty finding a new lawyer to represent our case. There is no shortage of them in the city, and no excess of clients, but word of Culligan’s shady dealings had circulated amongst the legal community, giving them all a strong aversion to our cause. I concluded from various comments dropped that the main reason for our rejection was a fear of Menrod’s wrath.

The man we finally persuaded to handle the matter was a Mr. Doyle, a man of good moral reputation, without a clever bone in his body. He would file the necessary papers in Chancery, outline what we had to offer, appear in person at the necessary time, but made perfectly clear he was not interested in any underhanded dealings.

“Neither are we,” I answered hotly, “That is precisely why we turned Culligan off. Menrod was correct to suggest we change our man, don’t you agree, Mama?” I slipped in, to see if the name’s magic might be used for us, rather than against.

“You are on speaking terms with his lordship?” Mr. Doyle enquired with interest.

“Speaking terms?” I asked, laughing lightly. “Good gracious, we are friends and neighbors, as well as connections. This custody business has not interfered with our personal relationship. We see him nearly every day.”

After this slightly misleading statement, Mr. Doyle saw his way clear to handle our case, for a fee no higher than Culligan’s. I regretted we had not gone to him in the first place.

After the main features had been discussed, I asked, “Do you feel it would help the cause at all if I were married to a good, upright citizen?” I wished to discover whether Culligan knew what he was about, or had led me utterly astray.

“Marriage to the right man would help.” He nodded. “You speak, of course, of your fiancé, Mr. Everett. I read it in the papers. May I congratulate you, Miss Harris? It would give you a better chance. The material advantages you could then offer would be vastly increased, would match his lordship’s, even. Good schooling would be provided, and ultimately the children might expect to inherit some part of the estate. It would do you no harm to rush the marriage forward, if you had not planned to do it before the case comes up for hearing.”

“My plans do not include an early marriage, but I daresay the engagement might...”

“Oh, no. An engagement is no more than a prospect. Actualities are what the court is interested in. It is possible that the marriage would never occur, owing to death or accident, or even a change of mind. I know you think the last-named unlikely, but until you are Mrs. Everett in law, the advantages, of the match are in doubt, and will not be taken into consideration.”

“I see.”

“Without the marriage, I must tell you, your chances against what Lord Menrod has to offer are negligible. Everyone deserves to be represented, however, and I will be happy to represent your interests.”

“Thank you.

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