Not Always a Saint Read Online Free PDF Page A

Frederick would likely be in London carousing with his friends. You know she’ll be better off with me!”
    â€œI don’t doubt it,” Harkin agreed. “Philip had complete trust in you to care for his daughter. He wanted you to remarry, and if you do, your new husband can apply for guardianship. Philip knew you wouldn’t choose a second husband unless the man would treat Beth as if she were his own.”
    Jessie bowed her head. “You cannot know how much I value Philip’s trust,” she whispered.
    â€œNo more than Philip valued your love,” Harkin said quietly.
    Guardianship of Beth could be transferred to a new husband. Jessie became very still. Philip had told her of that provision in his will, but she’d paid little attention to it because she couldn’t imagine wanting to marry again. But if Frederick was going to try to take Beth away... “So if I remarry, Beth will be safe?”
    â€œAssuming your new husband is a man of good character, yes.” The lawyer’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “It wouldn’t be a bad thing if he’s also well connected in a worldly sense, in case Frederick disputes the transfer of guardianship.”
    â€œHe could do that despite Philip’s explicit wishes?”
    â€œLawsuits can be brought for any and all reasons, no matter how foolish,” Harkin said dryly. “Ideally, you would marry a duke or a bishop who has so much wealth and worldly status that he could crush any foolishness Frederick may come up with.”
    â€œI suspect there is a shortage of eligible dukes,” she said with equal dryness. And she’d rather run off with Beth than marry a bishop. “But there are many men of less exalted rank who are vastly superior to Frederick.”
    â€œIndeed, there are. Though you’ll have to wait until your mourning year is over, I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding a suitable husband who will please you and protect Beth.” Harkin smiled. “Frederick was right that few men can resist you. If I didn’t have my Helen, I’d be susceptible myself.”
    The fact that the lawyer was happily married had enabled them to become friends. But Harkin didn’t fully understand how vulnerable women were, or what a curse beauty could be. She thought of the malice in Frederick’s eyes. “Dare I wait a year? I can’t help but feel the sooner Beth is out of his reach, the better. What if Frederick stole her away, claiming that as guardian, he has the right? Would I ever be able to get her back?”
    The lawyer frowned. “You have loyal servants here. They would protect her.”
    â€œYes, but most are old, and Frederick can be very persuasive.” Jessie smiled humorlessly. “Perhaps I should take Beth to London and look for a husband immediately. A husband who can protect her better than I.”
    â€œHusband hunting when Philip is barely cold will give you exactly the sort of reputation that Frederick can use against you,” Harkin said disapprovingly. “I do not advise it. Nor can you stay in Kelham House if you go to London since Frederick is living there and it would be difficult to dislodge him. You could hire a house, or take Beth to your house in Canterbury, but that won’t necessarily be safer than staying here.”
    Jessie frowned. “I need a fortress and a powerful husband, neither of which I’ll find in Kent. London has more possibilities.”
    Looking pained, the lawyer said, “I suppose so, but finding the right sort of husband will be difficult since you have few connections in society. Philip never took you to London and you say you have no powerful connections of your own. Unless you know some wealthy merchants? But I fear a judge might not look approvingly on a Cit for Beth’s stepfather.”
    â€œI don’t know any rich merchants and I’ve had very little contact with the beau monde.”