“This is the right thing to do. The only thing,” Will muttered to his reflection in the mirror.

Day by day the barriers were coming down between Hattie and himself. Small but sure steps of progress were being made in his campaign to win her heart. Today he would take the first big step on the path he now saw set out before him. Today he would do as he and Hattie had agreed. He would meet with Edgar Wright.

Contrary to his usual habits he was up early and ready to leave the house well before midday. Before heading to White’s, he planned to stop by his usual coffee house on Oxford Street and fortify himself with two strong cups of their best Brazilian coffee.

Slipping out of the house, he made a point to avoid Hattie. He didn’t need her changing her mind at the last minute. She was recovering well from her injuries and only last evening had broached the subject of when Will thought she might be well enough to return to St. John’s.

At White’s club, Will checked with the day attendant. True to his sources, the man confirmed that Edgar Wright was indeed in attendance at the club just before luncheon.

It would have been simple enough to have called upon Hattie's brother at his home, but Will decided their first meeting should be in public. He had no way of knowing how Edgar would react to the knowledge that his unwed sister was living under the same roof as a young widower.

He penned a note and asked that the club attendant pass it on to Edgar.

While he waited, Will took a seat in an alcove. Seated facing the front door, he recited the first few words he planned to say. A well-rehearsed initial greeting always helped to establish control at the beginning of a meeting.

The attendant soon returned and escorted Will to where Edgar Wright was seated.

“Mr. Wright?”

Edgar looked up and Will saw the look of recognition cross his face. Hattie’s brother rose from his chair and offered Will his hand.

“We meet again. William Saunders at your service sir,” said Will.

Once seated in the chair opposite to Edgar, Will took a minute to undertake a closer study of Hattie's brother. They were quite similar in looks. They shared the same warm brown eyes and light straw- colored hair. He was pleased to note that Hattie did not have the same long, almost equine facial features as did Edgar.

“You sent a note asking to see me,” said Edgar.

Will took in a long slow breath and fixed him with a steely gaze.

“I have come about your sister,” he said.

Edgar's eyes narrowed, mistrust evident in them. Their meeting at St. Paul’s cathedral had not been the sheer chance he had been led to believe.

“If my sister has been troubling you or the members of your household for donations, I apologize. Rest assured that she will not be bothering you again for a very long time. If ever. My parents have taken her with them on a mission to Africa.”

Will noted the tone of anguish in Edgar’s voice. He did not expect to ever see his sister again.

“No, I have not come about her philanthropic work. What would you say if I told you that Hattie is in London and that she is living under my protection?” replied Will.

Edgar's demeanor immediately changed. He leapt from his chair and stood over Will. His hands were held out in front of him ready to strike.

“What have you done with her you blackguard? If you have hurt her I will end your very existence,” he said.

The sideways glances from other members of the club set Will's nerves on edge. He did not like being the center of attention, even parties made him uncomfortable.

“Please resume your seat Mr. Wright you are causing a scene. Until you do I will not continue this discussion. I have come here in good faith and with only the guarded blessing of your sister. If it were up to her, I would not be here at all. Now sit down,” said Will.

The look on Edgar's face was one of shock. He was clearly not a man used to having another speak to him in such a fashion. He snorted at Will's command, but did as he was told.

“Well?” said Edgar, resuming his seat.

“Hattie is safe and living at your parent’s house. I have recently taken over the lease and reside at that same address.”

Considering Hattie's recent injuries Will knew his statement regarding Hattie’s state of health to be a misrepresentation of the truth. But since Edgar would discover the truth about Hattie soon enough, Will decided he didn't need to cloud the discussion with that piece of news.

The first thing he needed to do was to establish trust.

Will then spent the next half an hour or so retelling the story of how Hattie had jumped ship in Gibraltar, and how he had brought her back to London. Several delicate aspects of that tale Will decided it was best not to mention. It would not aid his cause if Edgar Wright thought Will had taken scandalous advantage of his vulnerable sister.

“And she had been living downstairs all that time, unbeknown to you?” asked Edgar.

Will adopted his best disinterested air. “Yes. It was quite a shock when I discovered her deception,” he replied.

As soon as the words left his lips he watched closely for Edgar's reaction. Edgar sat back in his chair and took a deep breath. A simple move, but one which spoke volumes to Will. Hattie had just been called a liar and Edgar was making ready to defend her.

Good. About time someone in your family gave a damn about her.

“Though I fully understand her reasons. Hattie has explained the difficult situation which arose within your family before your parents left for Africa. She felt she could not approach you, and so took shelter with the two most trusted servants of the family,” added Will.

His last words had the effect he desired on Edgar. Edgar’s shoulders dropped and his gaze fell to the floor.

Sitting watching as the saddest of emotions played out across Edgar's face Will knew he had the true measure of the man. Edgar was exactly the kind of brother he had hoped he would be for Hattie.

“Will she see me?” Edgar finally asked.

Will stifled a self-satisfied smile as his plan played out before him.

“That can be arranged. But firstly, we need to resolve the situation regarding her place of residence. As you can understand it is entirely inappropriate for her and I to dwell under the same roof while we are not married,” replied Will.

Again, he chose his words carefully. Planting the first seeds of thought in Edgar's mind.

“Of course.”

“I was hoping you would take her into your home. It would allow the courting of your sister to be conducted in a more socially acceptable manner. We were forced to share a cabin on the boat back to England, and so I feel a deep obligation to offer for your sister’s hand in marriage,” said Will.

Edgar looked Will up and down. Will knew when another was trying to take his measure. He silently granted his approval of Hattie's brother. She needed a champion on her side, someone who did not have motives of self-interest such as himself.

“If you wish to court my sister I would need to know more about you Mr. Saunders. As you may be aware, Hattie was engaged to the young man who was accompanying my family to Africa. Something tells me that she may be a little warier of a second betrothal. It may take some convincing on your part. Hattie has at times been known to stubbornly stand her ground,” replied Edgar.

Will chuckled. “You don't say. Anyone would think you considered your sister to have a will of her own.”

Edgar scowled. “You are a brave man, I grant you that. But tell me William Saunders, are you intending to court Hattie just because you feel honor bound to offer for her hand, or do you hold genuine affection for her? She deserves to make a good marriage. I will not have her forced into a match not of her choosing.”

Will decided his future brother in law deserved to be told as much of the truth as was possible. He hoped the discussion would not end with him having to face Edgar at dawn on Hampstead Heath with pistols drawn.

“I do hold great affection for Hattie. You should also know that we shared a bed on the boat and matters of an intimate nature took place between us. That said, I did not ruin your sister. Reverend Brown had already forced his attentions on her before they left London. Unlike the situation with the reverend, it was Hattie’s decision to embark on our affair. It was also her decision to end it before we arrived back in London.”

It was unseemly and disgusting to talk of Hattie in such a way. Will felt he was betraying her trust by informing her brother of such private matters.

“I had already decided to offer for your sister before matters developed further between us. I did at first feel honor bound. Now I find the idea of making her my wife something which I look forward to doing. Which is why it’s imperative for her to move out of my house and into yours,” replied Will.

Edgar sat silent for a time. Will’s revelations were enough to give pause to any man who valued his sister and her reputation.

“Answer me this William, do you intend to bring Hattie back into the fold of the ton? My sister deserves better than to spend the rest of her days working in the filth and degradation of St. Giles.”

Will nodded. If he had his way Hattie would never set foot in Plumtree Street again once they were wed.

At those words, Edgar rose from his chair and offered Will his hand once more.

“You do realize we are going to have a fight on our hands. Hattie will not want to move out of forty-three Newport Street, even if you are still residing there. As for her work among the poor, I don’t know how you will find a workable solution to that problem.”

He called an attendant over.

“Let us seal our agreement with a bottle of White’s finest, after which you shall accompany me back to my house in Newport Street. I wish you to speak with my wife. If anyone can help with our mutual cause, it is Miranda.”