Chapter 9
When Felix returned to London, he decided that he could lose nothing by inquiring about the possibilities of purchasing a house in London.
Then he would know what was open to him at some distant point in the future.
He did not dream of Mayfair, certainly, nor even of Whitehall.
But his inheritance would give him ample choices if he were willing to look somewhere less central.
To that end, he made an appointment with a solicitor the admiral had recommended, and was assured he would be able to find something suitable for the price of five thousand pounds.
Felix did not look too closely into the wisdom of an impulsive house purchase in London, for he thought it would be a project that would take months, if not years.
However, the solicitor sent a message to him the very next day that a semi-furnished house in Bloomsbury had just been put on the market that he simply must consider.
It was built according to the specifications of a wealthy nabob who had just lost his entire fortune on bad speculation.
The property would not remain long on the market before someone purchased it, and he must not think he would find a deal as attractive as this.
With a sensation of being swept along by a tide, he agreed to meet Mr. Novak at the house in Russell Square to examine its suitability.
One look at the front of it, and Felix had an immediate sense of rightness.
It was a five-story house in yellow stone brick, with symmetrical sash windows.
A shallow stone porch heralded the front entrance, and the tall windows on the piano nobile were graced with black iron balconies.
What was more, the front door was painted dark green like the house he grew up in.
He followed the solicitor into the house and was charmed by the elegant curving staircase that led to the first-floor drawing room.
On the ground floor, he was shown into the parlor and dining room, both of which had a marble fireplace.
The view from the parlor window looked upon the garden in Russell Square, with its newly planted trees and gravel walks.
By the time he went upstairs to examine the bedrooms with fireplaces and built-in cupboards, he knew he wanted to purchase the house.
It was perfect in every particular. However, remembering his father’s words, he forced himself to beg for a time of reflection.
He could not contemplate with any sort of ease the look on his father’s face when he informed him that—despite his cautious warning—Felix had used half of his inheritance to purchase a house within the space of three days.
In fact, thinking of it brought a shudder.
“It is natural that you would wish to reflect carefully before purchasing,” Mr. Novak said as they were about to part ways, “but do remember that this house is likely to be bought up quickly.”
“I will remember.” Felix paused with his hand on his horse’s bridle. “Will you inform me if someone else seems likely to make a bid?”
The solicitor promised to do what he could.
When Felix returned home, a letter waited for him from the admiral requesting he visit the Royal Naval Asylum that had opened in 1798 and was at a critical stage of needing to attract new subscriptions and donors.
He must see firsthand what the asylum was about if he wished to speak eloquently on the topic; his arguments must have strength.
The asylum was linked to those affected by war, and the reform Felix was pushing for.
The measures involved more than just the sailors and soldiers; it involved their families as well.
Felix sent word ahead to the asylum and arrived at the gate on the appointed day, where he explained his business.
Shortly afterward, the secretary came to escort him inside and asked him to wait.
He was soon gratified by the appearance of the asylum’s director, who had come to give him the tour personally.
“Mr. Knox, here, tells me that you are a member of Parliament, and there are things the government can do for us in terms of legislation and funding. I wish for you to have an accurate sense of how the asylum is run, so that you can better argue the case.”
The director led him through the service rooms, wards, the dining area, and classrooms. He gave a thorough explanation of how the asylum functioned and what their mission was.
At the end of the tour, Felix was satisfied that he had enough information to give a full rendering at the next committee meeting on the subject.
He might even write one of the Positive Points reform pamphlets he had started while still in Brighton.
Those had already brought about awareness that led to small changes.
“Tell me,” he asked the director as they neared the end of the tour, “what is the asylum’s greatest need at present? Larger one-time donations or smaller steady amounts in the form of annual subscriptions?”
The director ushered him into his office and invited him to sit.
“In truth, we need both. A new ward must be built, for the old one is too small and was damaged by a roof that leaked. But our lifeblood comes from annual subscriptions, which are at a low point. I can write up a list of how many beds we will need endowed, if you would like.”
“Yes, if you would, although I can make no promises. I will pass the list to Admiral Mowbray, who shares my interest in the asylum. Together, we will see what can be done.”
“Very good, sir. I should also mention that physical donations in the way of wool, coal, papers and pens—that sort of thing—are very welcome.”
The director jotted down the promised notes and handed the paper to him. Then he walked him to the front entrance. Felix was about to take his leave, but the director turned and caught sight of someone behind him. “Miss Edwards! I see you have brought someone to visit the asylum.”
He turned and saw a plain woman wearing clothes of unmistakable quality, revealing her status as a gentlewoman and likely volunteer. Behind her was Lady Sophia. The surprise of seeing her once again so unexpectedly turned his blood to ice, only to have it chug to life again.
Miss Edwards greeted the director. “Yes, allow me to present Lady Sophia Rowlandson, sister to the Earl of Poole. I have convinced her to come and visit the babies with me.”
The director bowed, and Lady Sophia dipped her head in greeting, but Felix didn’t think she had seen him yet. It seemed an extraordinary circumstance that she should come to visit the asylum the same day as he. When at last she turned his way, her mouth opened in surprise.
“Mr. Harwood!”
He hastened to explain, although he did not know why he felt the need to do so. “I have come to assess the asylum’s needs so I might faithfully present them in Parliament.”
“But,” she began, perplexed, “you volunteered with the yeomanry in Brighton. You were not in the navy.”
That was true, but he guessed she did not know of his current position in the Admiralty.
At first, it did not occur to him to be surprised by her knowledge, for the admiral had spoken of his time in Brighton as a military man.
But watching a blush steal up her cheeks, he wondered if she was embarrassed at knowing so much about him.
Something in him went utterly still with delight. Had she been interested enough to inquire after him? “Have you finished your tour in the asylum?”
It was Miss Edwards who answered. “Yes, we have just finished. I wished to show Lady Sophia the wards, for she has promised to help me find endowment subscriptions. I believe she will be more successful at it than I, being an earl’s daughter.”
“Excellent news,” the director said. “Your help is most welcome.”
Felix could not imagine Lady Sophia launching a campaign that involved speaking to various members of Society, urging them to sign up for annual subscriptions.
Even she looked doubtful at her ability to do it.
He wondered if she had actually agreed to it or whether Miss Edwards had assumed her involvement.
“Have you made a list of people you wish to speak to? Or perhaps you have some in mind?” he asked.
It took Lady Sophia a moment to respond, but he was starting to expect that of her and didn’t mind waiting. “I have not yet given it thought. I will ask my sister if she has any ideas.”
“If you would not object to it, I should like to be of assistance to you.” He held up the piece of paper the director had just given him. “This is a list of items the asylum needs. I would be happy to solicit those requests with you.”
She looked at him in surprise, then replied softly, “I would like that very much.”
That stillness returned—the delight—as though the whole world had stopped to enjoy this moment. Lady Sophia would like his company? Well, he would ensure she had it.
The director turned to shake Felix’s hand. “I will leave you in Miss Edwards’s care, for she knows the asylum almost as well as I do.”
“A good day to you,” he replied, and followed Lady Sophia and Miss Edwards out on the street, where they turned to face him. Wishing to prolong their time together, he asked, “What inspired you for today’s visit?”
Lady Sophia’s eyes scarcely met his, but she was the one to reply.
“Miss Mowbray—the admiral’s daughter—is acquainted with Miss Edwards, and she was supposed to come with us today, too.
However, her father requested her company at some function, as her mother has gone to visit her sister, so I came alone. ”
Felix smiled. “I must guess the admiral did not know his daughter had also been planning to visit the asylum, or perhaps he would have encouraged us to come together.” At the sight of Lady Sophia’s smile fading, he could have kicked himself.
With those words, he had unwittingly matched himself with Miss Mowbray.
A large horse trotted toward them, too near to the side of the road, and he pulled the ladies closer to the building. “I hired a hackney to come here. Do you have a carriage waiting for you?”
“The earl’s carriage is in the mews on the street parallel to this one,” Miss Edwards replied.
Lady Sophia softly chimed in, “My footman saw us come out of the asylum, and I believe he will be here with our carriage shortly.”
“I see.” He should heed his father’s words about not reaching above his station; after all, the counsel was wise.
But it was difficult to remember, for each time he found himself in her presence, he wanted to see more of her.
He had thought his resolution firm concerning Lady Sophia, but he was starting to see that his will curled and disintegrated like paper to a flame whenever she was near.
“I was about to propose we walk to Hyde Park from here, since it’s not so very great a distance. ”
Lady Sophia inhaled quickly, as though she had something to say. He couldn’t drag his gaze away from her as he waited to see what she would say. Miss Edwards, bless the woman, was not one to rush Lady Sophia either. And with the space to expand, she did speak.
“Perhaps we might take the carriage there and walk in the park itself.”
His smile grew. “I think that’s an even better idea. That is, if you do not mind taking me up in your carriage.”
“Not at all,” she assured him. These words seemed easier to get out, for she did not hesitate. She turned to Miss Edwards. “If you do not object?”
“Not in the least. Besides, it is your carriage and it should not matter a jot if I did.” He liked Miss Edwards.
Once they were on their way to Hyde Park, he asked Miss Edwards about her connection to the asylum and learned of her relationship to Mr. Edwards, the admiral’s private secretary. Of course! He should have thought of it. Then he turned to Lady Sophia.
“It is good of you to help the asylum’s cause, even when it means you are required to speak to people you do not know.” He hoped to bring another smile and less trepidation to her face, but her response was decided and not what he expected.
“It is something I believe a woman of my station must do no matter how challenging. We are under an obligation to relieve the suffering of those less fortunate in whatever way we can—that, and to brighten their lives. It was not a difficult decision to come today—and not so very difficult a decision to promise I would seek out donations.”
Felix had only time to nod before the carriage came to a stop and he helped them out of it, but an uncomfortable realization settled on him as the meaning of her words hit home.
He had to consider the fact that she might be humoring him by offering her company.
She might be attempting to brighten his life as one so very much her inferior.
After all, a true lady was always polite.
Perhaps she was only giving him such special attention because she felt it her duty.
The likelihood that such a thing was true made for sober reflection.
Suddenly it became of utmost importance that she see him as an equal rather than one who required her charity.
His thoughts returned to the house in Russell Square.
That purchase would prove his eligibility to a degree.
But he could not rush such an important decision for such a paltry reason as needing to prove his worth.