The Rake's Handbook by Sally Orr Page A

raised his chin and wrapped his soiled cravat around his neck. “You lower your chin thus to achieve each perfect fold.” He concentrated on slowly lowering his head. “Not too fast. Your chin is not a hammer.” He then took a full minute to produce one perfect crease. “The other difficulty is that, with so many folds, it takes an hour to tie.”
    Mr. Thornbury chuckled. “I can think of many things I’d rather do with an hour.” He grinned at her. “For example…reading a good handbook.”
    â€œOh.” She coughed on purpose to mask the eruption of a spontaneous giggle.
    â€œIt’s not a good idea to waste time on a knot,” Mr. Thornbury continued. “You’re too young to remember Viscount N. One morning he took so long to tie his cravat—he missed his own duel. Reputation ruined, of course.”
    â€œNo,” she said, laughing freely. He really was a complete hand.
    Berdy calmly continued, “Did you know m’ favorite knot is—”
    â€œCease!” Dr. Potts exclaimed. He jumped to his feet and yanked on the bottom of his puce waistcoat. “If you continue to speak flummery, no one will heed you. A mature gentleman must be able to converse upon every subject, but that does not include neckcloths. Now, Mr. Thornbury, perhaps you can move your foundry south.”
    â€œDr. Potts, please stop.” She stood to face him. “Enough.”
    â€œStop? Why? After that behavior I witnessed on the lawn, do you have some understanding with this man?”
    â€œNo! Of course not. You are being offensive. Please stop.”
    The doctor turned to Mr. Thornbury and continued. “If you change your transportation plans to include wagonways to send your engines to market, it will lessen the adverse effects on the river. Perhaps I should make our objections known to Lady Helen. She will support our suit, I’m sure.”
    â€œI’m warning you. Leave Lady Helen out of this matter.” Mr. Thornbury seemed to dampen his rising temper and spoke evenly. “Let me repeat again: the site cannot be moved. Wagonways would be difficult, because we’d have to cut through the high rock on the east side of Blackwell.”
    Her host’s carefree smile vanished, so she tried to appease him. “That sounds expensive.”
    â€œYes,” Mr. Thornbury said. “The profits would quickly disappear in transportation costs.”
    She could not bear him being put upon any longer. Maybe in her panic at the thought of Pinnacles’ destruction, she had been unjust. Now that she had witnessed his kind behavior toward Berdy, he seemed like a reasonable gentleman. He even warned Berdy about the ease of losing one’s reputation.
    As for his previous kiss on her neck, he must have been surprised by her refusal. So she decided to forgive him. She still had doubts about the foundry, but at least she could show her gratitude by agreeing to his earlier request and join him to visit a working industrial chimney. Together they would observe the amount of smoke and then come to a mutual agreement whether the soot might damage her home. “In appreciation for your efforts on Berdy’s behalf, I will agree to visit a working steam engine with a similar chimney to the one you plan—if your offer still stands. This is not a formal agreement of your lease, you understand. I merely want to view the situation for myself.”
    Mr. Thornbury did not say anything at first. After scanning her expression, perhaps to determine if she was in earnest, his stunning smile appeared. “Thank you. I’ll make the arrangements.”
    â€œI’m sure you want me to escort you, of course,” the doctor said.
    â€œNo,” she said with a firm voice. “Thank you, but I’m old enough that an escort is not necessary, and I don’t want to take you away from your patients.” Granted, she had a few doubts about