gray coat and cream breeches.
He issued a deep bow. “Miss Hart, a pleasure to meet you at last.”
She gestured to a chair. “Please sit. I’m afraid I’ve not heard of you, Mr. Sandton. How have you heard of me?”
He pulled a sheaf of papers from his pocket. “I’ve read your work.”
“Let me see.”
He handed the papers to her. Penned in an unfamiliar hand were the poems she’d written after her trip to Scotland.
“Who sent you these?” she asked.
“Someone who wishes to remain anonymous,” Sandton said. “They asked if I might consider them for publication.”
“When was this?”
“A little over a month ago. I take it this is your work?”
“Yes,” she replied, “but the hand isn’t mine.”
“Forgive my tardiness in reviewing them,” Sandton said. “I find them excellent, and it would be my pleasure to include them in my journal.”
“You want to publish them?”
“Of course,” he said. “Our readership is small, but it consists of discerning women who are more appreciative of the world around us than the more—frivolous—pursuits of society ladies. Women of intellect who appreciate matters of the heart. I would very much like to publish Mo Chridhe in our next edition. My junior editor and I found that particular poem the strongest of the set. If it’s well-received by our readers, then we can make your poetry a regular feature, with a view to publishing a separate volume once we have enough poems to do so.”
“Would you give me freedom to write what I wanted?” she asked.
“Within reason,” he said. “What attracted me to your work was the passion conveyed within the words. You have a rare gift, Miss Hart. Of course, we reserve the right to discuss any changes to your work before we publish it, but we wouldn’t publish anything you were unhappy with.”
Lilah hesitated, her experiences with James Stock still fresh in her mind. “I’m not sure…”
“I understand,” Sandton said. “If you wish to consider the matter, I’ll give you all the time you need. Or, perhaps you might wish to consult another before we discuss terms?”
“You mean a man?”
He let out a chuckle. “It’s often wise to get a second opinion from a trusted confidante before making a decision. The sex of that confidante bears no relation on their ability to advise you.”
“Then let us discuss the terms now, Mr. Sandton,” she said, reaching for the teapot.
The conversation lasted barely fifteen minutes. Sandton seemed genuine, and he lacked the oily obsequiousness displayed by Stock when he’d first shown interest in her articles. After seeing him out, she returned to the morning room, dismissed Sarah, and finished her tea in silence.
Fate had taken an upward turn. At last, the prospect of an independent income. And what better purpose to put the money to than Mrs. Forbes and her charity?
A visit to Mrs. Forbes was bound to lift her spirits. And an act of philanthropy might help to assuage her guilt over what she’d done to him.
*
“You seem in unusually good spirits, Mrs. Forbes.”
“That I am.” Mrs. Forbes gave Lilah a broad smile as she ushered her into the parlor. “We have that lovely young man to thank.”
“Sir Thomas Tipton?”
“No, that young Scotsman. Such a fine man!” Mrs. Forbes let out a sigh. “What a pity his turn of fortunes forced him to leave London!”
Lilah felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “How do you know about his misfortunes?”
“He came to see me just before he left, poor man.” Mrs. Forbes replied. “I understand his finances were too delicately balanced to weather even the slightest adversity. And yet, he was still so generous!”
“Generous?”
“Didn’t he tell you?” Mrs. Forbes shook her head. “I wondered if you’d persuaded him, but it must have been his own idea. He pledged us a regular stipend and came round with the papers to make it legally binding. Lord knows I need the income. But to take it when I know the benefactor is struggling financially does not sit right on my conscience. I told him so, and do you know what he said?”
“I’ve no idea.”
“He said, ‘Och, Mrs. Forbes, I’d be no sort of man if I didn’t honor my promises.’”
Mrs. Forbes sighed again. “Ah, yes—such a fine man! We can do so much with the extra income.”
“I’m able to pledge a little more each month also,” Lilah said. “In fact, that’s why I came to see you today.”
“Lord, thank you, Miss Hart, but I know you give as much as you can. And dear Mrs. Pelham, of course. And your young