Free A Question of Impropriety by Michelle Styles

in the end would do as he wished.
    He smiled. And there was very little Simon Clare could do about it, except fume and fret. He looked forward to seeing Clare’s face, but mostly he wanted to see what Miss Clare would do next. The chase in many ways was far more satisfying than the final surrender.
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    â€˜I had expected you to be at home.’ Simon’s annoyed tone greeted Diana before she had even had time to put the basket away.
    â€˜I was out visiting the colliers’ families. Mrs Dalton is confined with her third child and the Widow Tyrwhitt has taken to her bed.’ She paused and removed her bonnet. ‘It is my afternoon for making the rounds. You agreed on the importance of this. It is our duty to make sure they are looked after.’
    â€˜Yes, yes, you do a fine job. God knows that I cannot see the point. People always have com plaints and they fail to understand the virtues of business.’
    â€˜Simon.’ Diana pressed her lips together. They had had this argument several times over the past few years. It bothered her that Simon appeared to care more about the machinery rather than the people who made it work.
    â€˜Later, sister. There is something you need to see.’
    â€˜What have you done, Simon?’ Diana’s corset suddenly felt too tight as she looked at her brother. He was swaying back and forth like Robert did when he’d found a new bird’s nest. He was up to something.
    â€˜You need to come with me to the colliery. Straight away. There is no time to change.’
    â€˜To the colliery? Now?’ Diana glanced out of the window at the lengthening shadows. ‘It will be nearly dark by the time we get there. Can’t this wait until morning? I can then take a basket to the Widow Bosworth. You know how she likes company now that her boys are working down the mine.’
    â€˜There is something I want you to see.’ He put his hand on hers. ‘Please, Diana, say you will come? For me.’
    When he looked like that with his dark green eyes, Diana was forcibly reminded of how her brother had been before he had married Jayne, before he had become obsessed with order and control. Before business had ruled his life. Whatever new thing he wanted to show her, it would take her mind off Lord Coltonby and that could only be a good thing. ‘I will come.’
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    â€˜Behold the future!’ Simon pro claimed when they arrived at the colliery.
    Diana stared at the huge black machine on wheels. A gigantic smoke stack was at one end and at the other, a place for someone to stand. Her mouth went dry. ‘What is it?’
    â€˜A travelling engine based on adhesion rather than pulling or ratchet.’
    A travelling engine. The holy grail of every coal owner in the district. Besides William Hedley at Wylam and the viewer at Killingworth, she doubted another man in the whole of England could make a travelling engine work.
    â€˜Where did you get it?’ she asked, coming to stand by Simon. ‘Who drew up the plans?’
    â€˜I acted decisively.’ Simon’s expression was that of a rapt school boy. ‘Isn’t it a thing of beauty?’
    â€˜But how did you get it? Only last week, you said that you could not find one. Or even obtain the plans for one.’
    â€˜I have ways and means, Diana.’ Simon hooked his thumbs into his waist coat. For the first time in months, Diana saw him smile, a genuine smile instead of the tight-lipped one that did not reach his eyes. ‘I had to take the opportunity. All the other masters would have given their eye teeth. Once it is up and running, whole vistas will open out in front of us. I can start up Little Ladywell again, run wagons along the disused wagon-way. Then no one can claim that the land is worth less and redundant.’
    Diana sucked in her breath. The disused wagon-way. The land Lord Coltonby wanted to purchase. While she did not doubt Simon’s dedication, she