“Harriet’s aunt has emigrated to America.”
“Ah . . .”
She didn’t need to elucidate; he understood the problem. Harriet was penniless and homeless and needed someone to look after her.
Major Reynolds swirled the brandy in his glass. “What would you suggest?”
“Well . . . there is a Mr. Fernyhough—”
The major uttered a sound that was halfway between a grunt and a laugh. “Fernyhough.”
“What?”
“His name came up a few days ago. I wondered who he was.”
Isabella told him, while Major Reynolds traced light circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. She explained about the affection that existed between Harriet and Mr. Fernyhough, and about Colonel Durham’s refusal to countenance such a marriage. “If Mr. Fernyhough weren’t obligated to the colonel, he could take Harriet to Gretna Green
