Free Betrayed by Arnette Lamb Page B

University.” To her, he said, “Get Elliot here to release your dowry. Then you can buy the building.”
    Stay calm , she told herself. Stand up for what is right and avoid the subject of the dowry, which the mayor obviously assumes is already in Elliot hands . “Idid not turn those children out to steal and die in the cold.”
    â€œAre you accusing me of—” He was flustered. “—of low behavior?”
    Rumor had it that in his youth he had paid an occasional visit to the women in Pleasure Close, but reminding him of an old transgression was unfair. Sarah knew she must appeal to his Christian sense of duty. “Of course not, Mayor Fordyce. Your reputation is unblemished. You speak and act for the people of Edinburgh. You are their conscience and their voice. If you aid the orphans, you fulfill your promise to the citizens who elected you to make the streets safer for everyone. But you cannot think you do not have an obligation to the less fortunate, simply because the ballot is denied to them.”
    He grumbled into his goblet. “I do not make the election laws.”
    â€œYet you entertain foreign dignitaries and oversee their interests, even though they do not participate in our elections or pay our taxes.”
    At last she’d dented his stern opposition, for he sighed and said, “You’ve a passion for this orphanage.”
    That was an easy criticism to defend. “Listen to your contradiction. If we are not passionate in the causes that count, such as assuring dignity for all of our people and regard for the future, we’re no better than animals in the forest.”
    â€œMayor Fordyce.” Michael’s commanding voice dropped like a stone into the conversation. “I’d be willing to buy the property and place it in Lady Sarah’s keeping—in the name of the Elliots.”
    Sarah almost wilted in relief.
    The mayor stared, mouth agape. “You cannot buy it.”
    Michael sent the mayor a remarkable look. “I beg to differ.”
    Now truly angry, the mayor glowered. “I thought you asked me here tonight to help me dissuade her from acquiring the customs house. I expected you to refuse her outright and put an end to this quest of hers. You cannot buy a property if the Elliots already own half of it.”
    Sarah watched Michael closely, looking for a glimmer of deceit. He went very still and his eyes stayed fixed on the wine in his glass. “Who owns the other portion?”
    â€œI do,” said the mayor.
    â€œThen we’ll conclude the transfer when I return from a visit to my brother in London.”
    â€œBut Lord Henry manages the family properties, and the countess will never let that one fall into Lady Sarah’s hands. Unless your mother changes her mind.”
    â€œShe will. Good night, Mayor Fordyce.”
    Like a treed fox given an escape, the mayor moved to leave. “Give our best to Lord Henry. Damn that Richmond. You’d think he’d play fair—a man with his good breeding.”
    â€œYes, well . . .” Michael looked at Sarah, but spoke to Fordyce. “I’ll tell him you asked about him.”
    He could only stare at her, but he was distracted. Was he angry? Was he waiting to upbraid her?
    â€œMy congratulations, Lady Sarah.” The mayor gave her brief bow. “ ’Twas a pleasure.”
    When they were alone, Sarah immediately felt a greater withdrawal in Michael. She moved the candleaside and said cheerfully, “A pity we cannot choose our family.”
    He squinted, but not with poor vision. “Pardon my frankness, but had you not agreed to marry my brother, you and I wouldn’t be sitting here distrusting each other.”
    Trusting Elliots had been her least successful venture. “You’re angry because the countess withheld information from you.”
    â€œThe subject of the customs house has not arisen between my mother and