The Sinner by Madeline Hunter

Author:Madeline Hunter [Hunter, Madeline]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780553898330
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2003-12-29T23:00:00+00:00

chapter 15

Allow me to explain things to you, again,” Mr. Siddel said. “Finding the last investor is the hardest, because the most likely men have already been solicited. I urge patience, madame.”

“And I am saying that I know people who would be likely as well.”

“This is not a proposal that ladies should be confiding in drawing rooms. I trust you have not been doing so.”

“Of course not. I am not stupid, Mr. Siddel.”

For all their sotto voce efforts, their argument seemed to ring off the church walls. Only one other parishioner had entered since Fleur arrived, however, taking a pew far from them. Up near the altar a canon prepared for the next day’s service.

“I must say that I find your behavior since returning from France troubling,” Mr. Siddel said. “The frequency of your letters, your insistence on this meeting, your shrill demands to know the investors’ names—I find myself regretting my participation in the whole matter.”

Fleur gritted her teeth to avoid getting very shrill indeed. “And I find your delays in responding to my letters and your prevarication equally troubling, sir.”

“Are you questioning my honesty? Since you have no cause to do so, I must wonder about your judgment in other areas as well.”

“You keep using the language of my stepfather’s rumors today, Mr. Siddel. Is that supposed to put me off?”

“I merely make an observation. There is no logical reason for my prevaricating in this affair. I gain nothing until it is completed. Considering the long-term benefits once the land is sold, you should find some forbearance in the short term. Is this all Duclairc’s doing? Did you confide in him and he is pressing you to in turn press me?”

A loud “ssshh” from the canon riveted her attention to the altar. Their voices had risen loud enough to invite the scold.

“Mr. Siddel, my husband has no knowledge of any of this. If my demands have appeared excessive, it is because I fear we will lose the advantage. I would be grateful if you kept me better informed. For example, do you have any prospects regarding the final investor?”

“Actually, I do. I am so confident that he will agree that I will be meeting with all the others today, to introduce them to one another. I had arranged an earlier appointment, in the interests of maintaining secrecy, but your insistence on seeing me required that I change the time.” His tone implied that should the investors be angry, or should the meeting now become known, it would be her fault.

She rose and stepped into the aisle. “Then I should not keep you. I trust that you will let me know the results of your conversation.”

Mr. Siddel slid out of the pew. “I will inform you of progress when it occurs. If that does not please you, perhaps you desire to obtain another adviser, who will accommodate you better. If so, you are at liberty to do so.”

Of course she had no such liberty. As she sank back onto the bench, she admitted as much.

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